The purpose of the Community Standards bylaw is to make our community safe, healthy and enjoyable for everyone. The new Community Standards bylaw encourages residents and property owners to be responsible and respectful of their neighbours and contribute to the health, safety and vibrancy of our community.
Highlights
Addressing
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Excavations
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- Prohibits excavations from becoming or remaining a danger to public safety
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Graffiti prevention and abatement
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- Applying graffiti is an offence
- The owner or occupant of the property is responsible for removal/clean up
- Reverse onus placed on the owner of the property to prove consent was given for graffiti to be made
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Littering
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- Prohibits the disposal of refuse on public lands/highway
- Prohibits the transport of refuse unless properly secured from falling or blowing off
- Allows for the registered owner of a vehicle to be charged
- Prohibits the disposal of refuse on private land without permission
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Maintenance of buildings, structures and fences
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- Obligation to maintain structures and fences
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Nuisances escaping property
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- Prohibits an outdoor light from shining into an adjacent dwelling residence
- Allows the light if it is shielded or if it is specified in a development permit
- Allows for some exemptions
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Regulating composting
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- Prohibits the types of materials that can be placed in a compost pile or container, the location of the pile, and maintenance requirements to prevent odours and attracting animals
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Regulating noise
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- Prohibits noise from a motor vehicle that disturbs or annoys
- Prohibits idling trucks for longer than 20 minutes in or within 150 metres of a residential district
- Prohibits noise from a property that disturbs or annoys
- Outlines maximum continuous and non-continuous sound levels in residential districts
- Explains what activities are prohibited during night time hours
- Outlines maximum continuous and non-continuous sound levels in non-residential districts
- Exempts agricultural practices
- Sanctions a temporary permit allowing noise levels in violation of the bylaw
- Outlines the permit application and appeal processes
- Requires a permit for a major event in the County
- Sets out exemptions
- Outlines the process to appoint testers to test the sound monitoring equipment and the process for ensuring proper testing practices
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Unsightly properties
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- Prohibits the accumulation of material (such as animal parts) that creates an unpleasant odour
- Exempts agriculture practices and landfills
- Prohibits open storage of industrial fluids
- Prohibits the accumulation of certain items that are visible from outside the property
- Prohibits the storage of appliances, unless closing devices have been removed, the appliances are not visible from outside the property or they are locked at all times
- Outlines how building materials can be stored and for how long
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Many offences are enforced first through educating property owners/representatives of the infraction, and giving them an opportunity to fix the problem. If the problem is not fixed in the time allotted, then a clean-up order is issued and/or a fine. Every situation is judged on a case-by-case basis and proceeds as the officer sees fit.
