Property maintenance across Northwest Territories
What are the rules on junk, derelict cars, and unsightly property?
6 of 24 municipalities in Northwest Territories have an adopted bylaw on property maintenance on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Liard Hamlet |
Bylaw 63 — Inoperable Vehicles By-law | standards: Prohibits inoperable, wrecked or dismantled vehicles ('wrecked vehicle') on public or private property not located in a building and not part of a lawfully operated business · enforcement: SAO/Council may issue written Order to owner to take remedial action; Council may hold a hearing; SAO/Council may take immediate remedial action to remove imminent danger to public health or safety | 2026-06-04 |
| Fort Smith Town |
Unsightly Land By-law No. 855 | standards: Prohibits unsightly land: accumulation of rubbish/refuse, inoperative vehicles/machinery, construction/industrial vehicles in residential setting, animal/yard material, ashes, building materials, garbage, graffiti/dilapidated surfaces, grass over 6 inches · enforcement: Enforcement Officer issues Clean Up Order; if not complied with, Town may carry out work and charge cost against owner as taxes; appeal to Council within 14 days | 2026-06-04 |
| Hay River Town |
Unsightly Land Bylaw No. 2322/GEN/13 | standards: Prohibits unsightly land: accumulation of rubbish/refuse, manure, carcasses, inoperative machinery, building/yard material, garbage, graffiti/dilapidated surfaces; grass/weeds over 20 cm (8 inches); junked vehicles; dangerous excavations/dilapidated buildings · enforcement: Enforcement Officer issues Clean Up Order; if not complied, Town carries out work and charges cost against owner as taxes; appeal to Council within 14 days | 2026-06-04 |
| Inuvik Town |
Consolidated Vacant and Derelict Property By-law No. 2758/PS/25
+1 more |
standards: Prohibits vacant/derelict buildings, structures, vegetation or waste that are a danger to public health/safety/welfare or a fire hazard; owner must keep visible fences, structures and finishes in good repair and secure vacant property against entry/vandalism/fire · enforcement: Peace Officer issues notice to owner ordering remedy (compliance within up to 60 days); if not complied Town may secure/remove/demolish property and charge cost to owner; appeal to Council within 14 days, then to Supreme Court · standards: Prohibits unsightly land/premises: accumulation of animal material, ashes, building material, refuse, garbage, hazardous waste, litter, household appliances/furniture; inoperative ATVs/vehicles/equipment/machinery; graffiti/dilapidated building surfaces | 2026-06-04 |
| Norman Wells Town |
Property Standards By-law No. 24-01 | standards: No person shall permit land/premises/structure, excavation, surface water, refuse or other matter to be or remain untidy or unsightly · enforcement: Town Manager may declare nuisance/unsightly and require owner to remove litter/waste at owner's expense, build screening, or remedy as directed; if not done, Town may clean up and charge cost to owner | 2026-06-04 |
| Yellowknife City |
Unsightly Lands By-law No. 3979 | — | 2026-06-04 |
Nothing on file for property maintenance
Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.
Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (6) — Délı̨nę, Enterprise, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita.
No bylaws published online (11, verified negatives) — Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Gamèti, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tsiigehtchic, Ulukhaktok, Wekweètì, Whatì.
Unconfirmed (1, leads but nothing verified) — Behchokǫ̀.