Bylaw 26-008 - Advertising Public Notification Bylaw — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot 8e8e5fd9f17f · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## LETHBRIDGE COUNTY BYLAW NO. 26-008 ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION BYLAW ## A BYLAW OF LETHBRIDGE COUNTY, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATE METHODS OF PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF ITEMS REQUIRED TO BE ADVERTISED UNDER THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT, WHEREAS Section 606 and other applicable provisions of the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c. M-26, as amended (the "Act"), require a municipality to advertise certain bylaws, resolutions, public hearings, and other matters; AND WHEREAS Section 606.1(1) of the Act permits Council to pass a bylaw to provide for alternate methods of advertising, which may include electronic means, for advertising certain bylaws, resolutions, public hearings and other matters referred to in the Act. AND WHEREAS Council considers it desirable to establish clear, consistent, and efficient methods of advertising and public notification that enhance transparency and public access to information; AND WHEREAS Council is satisfied that the advertising method set out in this Bylaw is likely to bring matters advertised by that method to the attention of substantially all residents in the area to which the bylaw, resolution or other things relates or in which the meeting or hearing is to be held. NOW THEREFORE the Council of Lethbridge County, in the Province of Alberta, duly assembled, enacts as follows: ## 1. TITLE - 1.1 This Bylaw may be cited as the "Advertising and Public Notification Bylaw." ## 2. PURPOSE 2.1 The purpose of this Bylaw is to establish the methods by which Lethbridge County will advertise bylaws, public hearings, and other matters as required under the Act or any other enactment. - 2.2 This Bylaw is intended to: - a) Ensure compliance with the Act; - b) Improve public access to information; - c) Provide flexibility in advertising methods; and - d) Promote cost-effective and timely notification. ## 3. DEFINITIONS In this Bylaw: - 3.1 "Act" means the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c. M-26, as amended. - 3.2 "Administration" means the Chief Administrative Officer or their designate. - 3.3 "Advertising" means providing notice to the public as required by the Act or any other enactment. - 3.4 "Council" means the duly elected Council of Lethbridge County. - 3.5 "County Website" means the official Lethbridge County website. - 3.6 "Public Hearing" means a hearing held pursuant to the Act. ## 4. APPLICATION - 4.1 This Bylaw applies to all advertising and public notification required under the Act or any other enactment, unless a specific method of advertising is expressly required and cannot be varied by bylaw. - 4.2 Where the Act requires advertising to be done "in a newspaper," this Bylaw establishes an alternative method of advertising pursuant to Section 606(1) of the Act. ## 5. METHODS OF ADVERTISING - 5.1 Standard Method (Alternative to Newspaper) Unless otherwise required by legislation, advertising shall be deemed sufficient if the notice: - a) Is published on the County Website for a minimum of seven (7) consecutive days; and - b) Is posted on the County's official social media channels (if available); and - c) Is included in at least one of the following: - A print newspaper circulating in the County; or - An electronic newsletter distributed by the County; or - Posted at the County Administration Office. ## 5.2 Public Hearings (Land Use Bylaw & Planning Matters) For matters requiring a Public Hearing under Part 17 of the Act: - a) Notice shall be published on the County Website at least once per week for two consecutive weeks prior to the hearing; - b) Notice shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to affected landowners as required by the Act or Land Use Bylaw; - c) Notice signage shall be posted on the subject property where required by the Land Use Bylaw; and - d) Additional methods (such as newspaper publication) may be used at the discretion of Administration. ## 5.3 Bylaws Requiring Two Advertisements Where the Act requires advertising to be done twice: - a) The first notice shall be published at least fourteen (14) days before the matter is considered; - b) The second notice shall be published at least seven (7) days after the first notice; - c) Publication on the County Website satisfies each required publication. ## 6. CONTENT OF NOTICE - 6.1 All advertisements shall include, where applicable: - a) A description of the matter; - b) The date, time, and location of any Public Hearing or Council meeting; - c) Instructions on how the public may obtain further information; - d) Instructions on how submissions may be made; and - e) Any other information required by legislation. ## 7. PROOF OF ADVERTISING - 7.1 Proof of advertising may be established by: - a) A printed copy or screenshot of the County Website showing publication dates; - b) An affidavit or statutory declaration by Administration; - c) A publisher's affidavit (where applicable); or - d) Any other method deemed satisfactory to Council. ## 8. ADDITIONAL OR SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE - 8.1 Nothing in this Bylaw prevents the County from providing additional notice beyond the minimum requirements. - 8.2 Failure to provide additional notice does not invalidate any advertising that complies with this Bylaw and the Act. ## 9. INTERPRETATION - 9.1 This Bylaw shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Act. - 9.2 If any provision of this Bylaw conflicts with the Act, the Act prevails. - 9.3 If any portion of this Bylaw is found invalid, the remaining portions remain in force. ## 10. REPEAL - 10.1 This Bylaw hereby rescinds previous Bylaw 23-013 ## 11. EFFECTIVE DATE - 11.1 This Bylaw comes into force on the date of third and final reading READ A FIRST TIME this 19 day of Febray 2026. READ A SECOND TIME this 2 day of April 2026. READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED this 2 day ofprul - 2026.