Addressing

This section outlines signage requirements for urban and rural addressing to support public safety.

Every second counts in an emergency. Well-maintained addresses visible from the roadway ensure that emergency responders can quickly locate addresses and responders can quickly locate addresses and respond to emergencies.

Unsightly Premises

Most County residents take pride in the appearance of their property. Unsightly premises not only impact the appearance of a community, but can create safety hazards.

This section provides regulations on issues relating to general maintenance and upkeep of properties in the County.

Find more information about County landfill and recycling services, and residential waste collection.

Bullying and Hazing

Everyone in the community has a right to feel safe. Bullying and hazing will not be tolerated in the County.

The RCMP are responsible for investigations and enforcement of this section of the bylaw. The addition of this section in the Bylaw provides the RCMP with another tool to ensure public safety.

Graffiti

Under this bylaw, graffiti is illegal. These acts of vandalism ruin a community's attractiveness; they can be discriminatory and hateful toward individuals or groups; and they impact property owners.

If you see graffiti in progress, please call the RCMP Non-Emergency line at 780-830-5700.

Property owners

It is important to clean up graffiti in a timely manner, as vandalism in the form of graffiti invites further vandalism.

Property owners are to ensure that graffiti placed on their premises is removed, painted over, or blocked permanently from public view

Noise

This section sets regulations that prohibit noise that disturbs the peace of others.

The regulations in the bylaw outline what noise is considered unreasonable and what activities are prohibited during quiet hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

Activities that are exempt include:

• Agricultural operations
• Emergency vehicles
• Emergency work to protect life, health, or property, including that conducted by Aquatera and the County
• Permit holders for events
• Peace Officers
• Work conducted by the provincial or federal governments.

Nuisance

This section addresses public safety, health and overall quality of life by prohibiting behaviours that violate the rights of others.

Cause disturbance in public place: No person shall cause a disturbance by fighting, screaming, shouting, swearing, molesting, or using insulting language at or near a public place.

Urinate/Defecate in public place: Urinating, defecating or depositing any human waste on the private property of another person, in any public place or in any place to which the public is allowed access is prohibited.

Idling motor vehicle in residential area: No person shall idle a motor vehicle in a residential area for longer than 30 minutes, except when temperatures exceed minus thirty (-30) degrees Celsius.

Offensive odours: Offensive odours, such as composting, firepit smoke, cannabis, and animal feces may be considered “nuisance” in those cases that they are disturbing someone.

Electric fences: No person shall have an electric fence at or near any public place where any other person is likely to make contact with it. Exceptions do apply.

Display offensive materials: No person, at or near a public place, shall display any pictures, words, or graphic images of any type that promote violence, hatred, and offend, or is likely to offend, any other person.

Cause injury to another person: No person shall throw or propel an object that is likely to startle or cause injury to another person.

Cause damage to property: No person shall throw or propel an object that is likely to damage any property.

Pump/Cause/Direct water onto property: No person shall pump water, or otherwise direct or cause any water to flow onto someone else's property. This applies to sump pumps and eavestroughs; however, it does not apply to other property drainages such as melting snow that has been legally piled, normally flowing rainwater, or any natural flooding type of events.

Exemptions: Agricultural operations, as defined by the Agricultural Operations Practices Act, are exempt from this section of the bylaw.

Cannabis

1. On October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis use was legalized in Canada.
2. This section regulates the consumption of cannabis at public locations in the County.
3. Cannabis use is banned in public places within the County, with some exceptions.
4. Temporary permits authorizing cannabis usage in public places during special events may be issued by the County.
5. This section also addresses medical cannabis exemptions and cannabis use that is interfering with other individuals
6. Individuals entitled to possess medical cannabis can smoke and vape cannabis at areas not prohibited under the Alberta Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
7. Under the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, individuals can possess, use and consume cannabis in a temporary residence; this includes places like a parked motor home or camper, a setup tent, and within a campsite.
8. Residents and visitors of the County must follow the guidelines for consuming cannabis set out by the Province in the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act along with the County's bylaws.

Waste management

1. All waste designated for pick-up by a waste management company must be in well-maintained containers.
2. Owners or occupants of a residential dwelling shall set waste containers out for collection no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the day before collection and remove them within 24 hours from collection day.
3. It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant to pick up any waste that has spilled onto the road.

False alarms

1. False alarms from home security alarm systems are occurring at an increasing rate in the County.
2. The County prohibits no more than one false alarm per property.
3. By cutting down on false alarms, we can ensure RCMP are serving where they are needed most.
4. This section of the bylaw does not apply to phone calls made to 911, nor does it apply to alarms installed to keep the elderly or infirm safe in their home.

Fire hydrants

1. In a fire situation, every second counts and access to water is often the difference in saving a structure and protecting people's lives.
2. If you own or occupy property adjacent to a fire hydrant, you are responsible for keeping it clear of obstructions, so it is accessible for firefighters. Clear snow from the hydrant. Cut weeds or grass around the hydrant to ensure it is visible from the street.
3. No person shall damage, interfere or tamper with a fire hydrant.
4. If you see a hydrant is not visible or accessible, help us keep our neighbourhoods safe by calling Regional Enforcement Services at 780-532-9722.

Sidewalks

1. Heavy snow-covered sidewalks create slip and fall hazards and force people to walk on the road, exposing them to traffic danger.
2. Property owners and occupants are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24-hours of snowfall.
3. When clearing sidewalks:

• snow must not be placed on roads as it creates driving hazards.
• sidewalks must not be damaged while clearing snow.

How do I report a Community Standards Bylaw violation?

Contact Regional Enforcement Services to report a bylaw violation by Email, phone 780-532-9727 or online. 

Other ways to report

Secure fax: 1-888-779-5895 

In person: Community Services Building. 10808-100 Avenue, Clairmont.
Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. and statutory holidays

Paper Occurrence Reporting Form: Pick up a pamphlet at any local municipal office, complete and submit it.  

Penalty information is available on page 14 (Schedule A) of the Bylaw.

As the County grows and changes, new issues emerge. We developed the Community Standards Bylaw as current bylaws were outdated. The bylaw combines updated existing bylaws with new bylaws in one user-friendly document.

Community Standards Bylaws are common in most progressive Alberta and Canadian communities. In the County, our bylaw is the result of feedback from residents, business owners, Council, staff and subject matter experts.