Noise, Nuisance and Public Disturbances Bylaw No. C-1103 (Office Consolidation, May 25, 2026) — full text

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CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE OFFICE CONSOLIDATION BYLAW C-1103 A Bylaw of the City of Grande Prairie, to prohibit certain nuisances, disturbances and activities creating noise; and to abate the incidence of noise and to restrict when certain sounds may be made (As Amended by Bylaw C-1103A, C-1103B, C-1103C, C-1103D, C-1103E, C-1103F, C-1103G and C-1489) WHEREAS pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, the Council of the City may pass a bylaw respecting the safety, health, and welfare of people and the protection of people and property and respecting the people, activities, and things in, on, or near a public place. NOW THEREFORE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, DULY ASSEMBLED, ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: SHORT TITLE 1. This Bylaw may be cited as the "Noise, Nuisance and Public Disturbances Bylaw". DEFINITIONS 2. In this bylaw: (a) "Attractant" will include any substance which could be reasonably expected to attract a wild animal or animals or does attract a wild animal or animals, including but not limited to food products, pet food, feed, grain or salt. (b) "Bullying" means any objectionable or inappropriate comment, conduct or display by a person: i) directed at an individual, not of the same household; ii) which causes or is likely to cause physical or emotional distress. (c) "City" means the municipal corporation of the City of Grande Prairie or where the context permits, means the area within the municipal limits of the City of Grande Prairie. (d) "City Manager" means the Chief Administrative Officer of the City or their delegate. (Bylaw C-1103G - May 25, 2026) (e) "Construction Equipment" includes, but is not limited to trenching machines, concrete mixers, backhoes and similar equipment. Deleted by Bylaw C-1103G - May 25, 2026 (f) "Device" means feeding stands, salt blocks, bird feeders less than (eight) 8 feet in height. (g) "Disturbance" means the interruption of the peace, quiet and good order of a neighbourhood or community, including but not limited to unnecessary and distracting noises. BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 2 (h) "Feed" or "Feeding" means the deliberate act of furnishing, or otherwise making available, food or other substances which is likely to be consumed by wild animals. (i) "Firearm" means a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and includes, without limitation, a rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol and airgun. (j) "Hazing" means any intentional or reckless act meant to induce physical pain, humiliation or embarrassment that causes physical or mental discomfort and is directed against a minor for the purpose of being initiated, introduced into, affiliated with or maintaining membership in any club, school, athletic team or other similar group or organization in which minors participate. (k) "Loiter" means to stand idly around or move slowly about or to linger or spend time idly. (l) "Minor" means an individual under 18 years of age. (m) "Molesting" means to interfere with, annoy or disturb maliciously. (n) "Natural" means food or other substances consumed by wildlife produced by, or existing in nature, not artificial. (o) "Peace Officer" means a sworn member of the Grande Prairie Police Service, a sworn member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a bylaw enforcement officer of the City, or a community peace officer of the City. (Bylaw C-1489 - July 14, 2025) (p) "Person" means an individual or any business or other entity including a Firm, Partnership, Association, Corporation, Company, or Society but does not include the City. (q) "Power Tool" includes any tool powered by an engine, motor, or compressed air. (r) "Public Place" means any place including privately and publicly owned or leased property, to which the public reasonably has or is permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise, within the municipal limits of the City of Grande Prairie. (s) "Public Property" means any schoolyard, highway, parkland, public bridge, road, lane, footway, alley or passage, whether a thoroughfare or not, and includes any open space to which the public have or are permitted to have access. (t) "Quiet Hours" shall mean between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any day. (u) "Residential District" means any district designated for residential use in the City's Land Use Bylaw as amended from time to time. (v) "Wild Animals" means all mammals other than domestic animals (some examples include, but are not exclusive to deer, bears, fox, squirrels, groundhogs, etc.). (Bylaw C-1103C - July 11, 2011) BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 3 GENERAL PROHIBITION 3. Except to the extent permitted by this bylaw, no person shall make, continue, cause or allow to be made or continued any unreasonably loud, raucous or unusual noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, endangers or detracts from the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any other person of ordinary sensitivity within the City. 4. Except to the extent permitted, by this bylaw, no person shall permit, suffer or allow property, real or personal which they own, occupies or controls, to be used in a manner such that there emanates therefrom any unreasonably loud, raucous or unusual noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, endangers or detracts from the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any other person of ordinary sensitivity within the City. (Bylaw C-1489 - July 14, 2025) 5. Factors for determining whether a sound is unreasonably loud, raucous or unusual include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) proximity of the sound to sleeping facilities, whether residential or commercial; (b) the time of day or night the sound occurs; (c) the duration and volume of the sound; and (d) whether the sound is recurrent, intermittent or constant. 6. No person shall cause a disturbance in or near public property: (a) by fighting, screaming, shouting, swearing, or using insulting language; or (b) by molesting any other person. 7. No person unless lawfully authorized shall discharge any firearm within the City. 8. No person shall cast, project, or throw any stones, balls of snow or ice, or use any projectile in any manner, which is dangerous to the public. 9. No person shall urinate or defecate on public property. 10. (a) No person shall commit the act of bullying against another person in any public place, on public property or in any other place. (b) No person shall commit the act of bullying against another person through written or electronic communication. (c) No person shall commit the act of hazing against a minor in any public place, on public property or in any other place. (Bylaw C-1103A - October 23, 2006) BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 4 11. No person shall by himself or with another person loiter in a public place in such a manner as to obstruct, hinder or impede: (a) the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians through, from or to such public place; (b) access to the entryway of any premises normally used by the public for gaining entrance to the premises, unless permission is granted by the person in authority of the property. (Bylaw C-1103B - December 17, 2007) 12. No person shall loiter on any property where the person in authority of the property prohibits loitering on the property. (Bylaw C-1103B - December 17, 2007) 13. Any person shall be deemed to be loitering within the meaning of this bylaw when the person is standing or sitting on any highway, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing any sidewalk located thereon or within three feet thereof, and fails to vacate the area when requested to do so by a peace officer. (Bylaws C-1103B - December 17, 2007 and C-1489 - July 14, 2025) 14. Any person shall be deemed to be loitering within the meaning of this bylaw when the person is standing or putting their feet on the top surface of any table, bench, planter or sculpture placed in any public place. (Bylaws C-1103B - December 17, 2007 and C-1487 - July 14, 2025) 15. When a peace officer finds any person loitering, they may direct such person to cease such loitering and vacate the area, and any person so directed shall forthwith cease such loitering and vacate. (Bylaws C-1103B - December 17, 2007 and C-1487 - July 14, 2025) 16. No prosecution shall be commenced for contravention of the loitering provisions of this bylaw unless a warning to cease loitering and vacate the area has first been given by a peace officer or any person in authority of the property. (Bylaw C-1103B - December 17, 2007) 16.A (a) No owner or occupier of land within the City shall intentionally feed, cause to be fed or provide or make available food attractants (any fruit, grain, mineral, plant, salt, vegetable, pellets) or other substances for the consumption by wild animals within the boundaries of the City, either on private property or on public property. (b) No owner or occupier of land may place or allow any device or other material to be placed outdoors or on any public or private property for the purpose of attracting or feeding wild animals. (c) Each property owner or occupier shall have the duty to remove any device placed on the owner's or occupier's property in violation of this bylaw. (d) Each property owner or occupier shall have the duty to remove any device placed on the owner's or occupier's property to which wild animals or from which wild animals actually feed. Alternatively, a property owner or occupier may modify such a device or make other changes to the property that prevents wild animals from having access to feeding from the BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 5 device. Failure to remove such a device or to make such modifications within twenty-four (24) hours after notice is given by the City shall constitute a separate violation. (e) This section shall not apply to any natural product that is growing on a particular land owned or occupied where feeding of wildlife is occurring. (f) Bird feeders, using bird feed only, are allowed but must be inaccessible to wild animals. (Bylaw C-1103C - July 11, 2011) 16.B (a) No Person shall release, abandon, relocate, deposit, or introduce any animal into any Public Place or on Public Property. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to: (i) a domestic dog or domestic cat that is under the control of a person in compliance with the Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw C-1226, or a domestic dog utilizing a designated Off Leash Area in accordance with that Bylaw; (ii) an animal being kept, moved or utilized in accordance with the terms and conditions of a Livestock Exemption Permit under the Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw C-1226; (iii) the immediate return of native wildlife or fish to its immediate natural habitat from which it was temporarily displaced, provided such action complies with the Wildlife Act, RSA 2000, c W-10, the Fisheries (Alberta) Act, RSA 2000, c F-16, and the Fisheries Act (Canada), RSC 1985, c F-14, as applicable; (iv) the release of an animal by authorized personnel of the City, the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, or a licensed pest control operator acting in accordance with provincial or federal legislation; (v) a Peace Officer in the performance of their duties; or (vi) where prior authorization is granted by the City Manager. (Bylaw C-1103G - March 25, 2026) MOTOR VEHICLES 17. No person shall use or engage in the use of engine retarder brakes within the City. 18. Deleted by Bylaw C-1103D - May 13, 2013 19. The failure of a person to comply with the provisions of the Traffic Safety Act or any regulations thereunder regarding: (a) the prohibition against the use of signalling devices on motor vehicles so as to make more noise than is reasonably necessary; (b) the restrictions in the type or use of mufflers and similar equipment; (c) the prohibition against creating or causing the emission of any loud and unnecessary noise from a motor vehicle; or (d) the operation of a vehicle on a highway in a residential district between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner that unduly disturbs the residents of that area; is an offence under this Bylaw in addition to and not in substitution for any offence of which a person may be guilty under the provisions of such Act or the regulations thereunder. BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 6 CONSTRUCTION 20. Unless written permission from the City Manager is first obtained, no person shall during quiet hours carry on the construction, repair, alteration, or demolition of any type of structure including but not limited to hammering, sawing, and the use of any power tools or construction equipment capable of creating a sound which may be heard beyond the boundaries of the site on which the activity is being carried on within the City. (Bylaws C-1103F - December 15, 2014 and C-1103G - March 25, 2026) DOMESTIC 21. No person shall operate construction equipment, power tools, a power lawn mower, or any snow- clearing device in any residential district during quiet hours. INDUSTRIAL 22. (a) Nothing in this Bylaw shall prevent the continual operation or carrying on of an industrial activity where the activity is one which: (i) is a permitted use; or (ii) is an approved discretionary use; (b) In the operation or carrying on of an industrial activity, the person operating or carrying on that activity shall make no more noise than is necessary in the normal method of performing or carrying on that activity. SNOW REMOVAL 23. No person shall remove snow from commercial or private property in or adjacent to a residential district between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day, without a permit granted by the City Manager. (Bylaws C-1103F - December 15, 2014 and C-1103G - March 25, 2026) EXCEPTIONS 24. This bylaw shall not apply to: (a) Any person performing work of an emergency nature for the preservation or protection of life, health, or property, but the onus shall be on the person performing the work to show that the work was of an emergency nature; (b) Any act of maintenance or repair being carried out by employees or contractors of the City or Aquatera Utilities Inc.; (c) Any act of emergency maintenance or repair being carried out by employees or contractors of any private utility; (d) The operation of emergency equipment or any emergency vehicle; (e) A Peace Officer engaged in performing their duty; or (Bylaw C-1489 - July 14, 2025) (f) Any activity within the sole jurisdiction of the Government of Canada or the Province of Alberta. BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 7 (g) A special event where a License has been issued under Bylaw C-1292, the Special Events Bylaw. (Bylaw C-1103E - April 7, 2014) PERMITS 25. The City Manager may issue a permit to a person for the purpose of allowing noise within a designated area and between designated times. Such permit may be revoked at any time by the City Manager. (Bylaw C-1103F - December 15, 2014 and C-1103G - March 25, 2026) SEVERANCE 26. If any section of this Bylaw is found to be illegal or beyond the power of the City's Council to enact, such section shall be deemed to be severable from all other sections of this Bylaw. PENALTIES 27. Any person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable: (a) for a first offence to a fine of $250.00; or (b) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $2,500.00. 28. Where an officer believes that a person has contravened any provision of this bylaw, they may commence proceedings by issuing a violation ticket in accordance with the Provincial Offences Procedure Act, R.S.A. 2000, provided however that, this section shall not prevent any officer from issuing a violation ticket requiring the court appearance of the defendant or from laying an information instead of issuing a violation ticket. (Bylaws C-1103B - December 17, 2007 and C-1489 - July 14, 2025) 29. Each occurrence of a contravention of this Bylaw, or in the case of continuous contraventions, each day a contravention occurs or continues, constitutes a separate offence and may be punished separately. (Bylaw C-1103A - October 23, 2006) 30. Any person who receives a fine for contravention of Section 10 under this bylaw may be given the following choices: (a) Paying the specified penalty pursuant to Paragraph 27; or (b) At the discretion of the issuing Peace Officer and/or Prosecutor, attending an educational anti-bullying session and having the charge withdrawn. (Bylaw C-1103A - October 23, 2006) BYLAW C-1103 PAGE 8 REPEAL 31. Bylaws C-862 and C-873 are hereby repealed. 32. This bylaw shall take effect on the date it is passed. READ a first time this 1st day of December , 2003. READ a second time this 1st day of December , 2003. READ a third time and finally passed this 1st day of December , 2003. "W. Ayling" (signed) MAYOR "J. Ferguson" (signed) CITY CLERK