Bylaw Enforcement

All complaints must be in written format and include the complainant's name, civic address, telephone number, location of the infraction, and general nature of the potential bylaw contravention. A complaint can be submitted using the form on this webpage or in the Village Office.

Complaints regarding Priority 2 and 3 issues will be investigated after a second complaint from a different household on the same subject matter.  

 Priority 1 issues will be investigated after only one complaint.  Village staff witnessing blatant contraventions of municipal bylaws within the Priority 1 category may be actioned without a complaint. Staff will investigate the complaint upon receipt of a second valid complaint on the same subject matter from a secondary household for Priority 2 & 3 issues. Staff will complete an on-site investigation, which includes taking photos for file documentation.  

The preferred enforcement action is verbal contact to discuss the matter with the bylaw contravener, followed by a follow-up bylaw enforcement letter stating the offence, the bylaw provisions, how to rectify the issue, and a 30-day compliance deadline.  If verbal contact cannot be made, a bylaw enforcement letter will be issued to the land owner and occupant (if applicable).  After the 30-day deadline, staff will return to identify if compliance is achieved. 

If compliance is not found, further bylaw enforcement action will be taken, including the issuing of tickets (potentially up to daily) for each infraction, remedial action, and, for repeat offenders with the same ongoing bylaw complaints for three (3) consecutive years, a court injunction. 

1. Council establishes overall priorities for enforcement, enacts bylaws, and adopts bylaw enforcement policies for staff.
2. Council may have a role in an appeal process or delegation and could be the final decision-makers. To avoid the risk of bias or pre-judgement in these cases, Council members must not be involved in earlier steps in the bylaw enforcement process.   
3. To maintain an administratively fair and unbiased bylaw enforcement system, elected officials who set overarching policies and priorities are separated from Village staff who execute procedures as established and outlined in this policy. 
4. This policy recognizes the challenges elected officials face to remain at arms' length from the day-to-day enforcement process when they can be the main point of contact for members of the public who have complaints or have been the subject of bylaw enforcement. In these situations, it is essential for Council members to direct citizens to make their complaints and comments to the Village Office and not provide comment on bylaw enforcement actions while the file is still active.