Community Standards Bylaw 2026-06

Myrnam, Alberta

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot a60569cb771b · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Bylaw 2026-06 Page 1 of 6 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM A BYLAW OF THE VILLAGE OF MYRNAM, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO REGULATE AND CONTROL COMMUNITY STANDARDS WHEREAS the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M-26, as amended, authorizes a council to pass bylaws respecting the safety, health, and welfare of people and the protection of people and property; AND WHEREAS Council of the Village of Myrnam deems it necessary and desirable to regulate and control community standards within the Village; AND WHEREAS Council wishes to establish minimum standards for property maintenance, including unsightly premises and nuisance conditions; AND WHEREAS Council deems it necessary to regulate noise, public disturbances, and curfew requirements to protect the peace, order, and quiet enjoyment of residents; AND WHEREAS Council deems it necessary to regulate parking, obstruction of highways, and use of municipal property to ensure safe and orderly use of public spaces; AND WHEREAS Council deems it necessary to regulate dangerous buildings and structures to protect public safety and property; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Village of Myrnam, duly assembled, enacts as follows: 1. SHORT TITLE 1.1 This Bylaw may be called the "Community Standards Bylaw". 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 "Abandoned property" means any item, vehicle, or material that remains unclaimed after applicable enforcement, notice, and impound periods and is subject to disposal or sale in accordance with this Bylaw and applicable legislation. 2.2 "CAO" means the Chief Administrative Officer of the Village of Myrnam. 2.3 "Continuing offence" means an offence that continues from day to day, each day constituting a separate offence unless otherwise stated. 2.4 "Enforcement Officer" means a person appointed by the Village of Myrnam to enforce Village bylaws, including a Community Peace Officer, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, or other authorized designate. 2.5 "Highway" means any street, road, sidewalk, alley, or other public right-of-way. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 2 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 2.6 "Impound" or "Impoundment" means the lawful seizure, removal, and detention of a vehicle or item by or on behalf of the Village pursuant to this Bylaw. 2.7 "Inoperable vehicle" means a vehicle that is unregistered, uninsured, dismantled, wrecked, or incapable of immediate lawful operation. 2.8 "Master Rates Bylaw" means the Village of Myrnam Bylaw establishing fees, charges, fines, and penalties for municipal services and bylaw enforcement. 2.9 "Municipal Property" means land, buildings, infrastructure, or facilities owned, leased, or controlled by the Village. 2.10 "Nuisance" means any activity, condition, or thing that unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of property or public space. 2.11 "Order" means a written direction issued by an Enforcement Officer requiring a person to remedy a contravention of this Bylaw, cease an activity, or undertake specified corrective action within a prescribed time, and includes any associated compliance conditions. 2.12 "Quiet Hours" means designated time periods during which noise levels must be minimized to avoid disturbing others. Quiet Hours shall be observed as follows: a) Weekdays (Monday to Friday): from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. b) Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and Statutory Holidays: from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. 2.13 "Traffic Control Device" means any sign, marking, or device placed on or adjacent to a highway for the purpose of regulating traffic or parking. 2.14 "Unsightly premises" means property that does not meet minimum standards of maintenance as set out in this Bylaw. 2.15 "Village" means the municipal corporation of the Village of Myrnam. 3. TRAFFIC, PARKING AND USE OF VEHICLES 3.1 No person shall park a vehicle, trailer, or recreational/holiday trailer on public or private property for more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours without the express or implied consent of the property owner or lawful occupier. 3.2 No person shall occupy a vehicle, trailer, or recreational/holiday trailer as a dwelling or sleeping place while parked on a highway. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 3 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 3.3 No person shall place goods, materials, or obstructions on a highway or sidewalk that interfere with pedestrian or vehicle movement, except for reasonable loading or unloading. 3.4 All owners or occupiers shall keep sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of obstructions, including debris, ice, snow, and materials. 3.5 No person shall place, store, or leave goods, materials, or equipment on municipal property without prior written approval of the CAO. 3.6 No person shall apply salt or de-icing material to a sidewalk or roadway unless it is environmentally approved or authorized by the CAO. 3.7 No person shall lead, ride, or drive livestock on Municipal Property except on designated roadways or with prior approval of the CAO. 4. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - TREES AND VEGETATION 4.1 Owners shall ensure trees, shrubs, and vegetation do not encroach: a) below 2.25 metres over sidewalks; and b) below 4.12 metres over roadways or alleys. 5. UNSIGHTLY PREMISES AND PROPERTY NUISANCES 5.1 No person shall permit a premises they own or occupy to become or remain unsightly, including: a) grass or weeds exceeding 15 cm in height; b) more than two (2) unregistered, uninsured, or inoperable vehicles; c) wrecked, dismantled, abandoned, or unsightly vehicles without approval; d) improperly stored garbage, refuse, or construction materials; e) graffiti, dilapidated fencing, or visible structural damage. 5.2 No person shall permit a nuisance condition including: a) vegetation obstructing visibility or utilities; b) excessive smoke emissions; c) excessive dust emissions; d) compost or organic matter causing odour or attracting pests. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 4 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 5.3 Owners shall promptly remedy any unsightly premises or nuisance condition upon notice. 6. DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES 6.1 No person shall permit a building or structure they own or occupy to become or remain dangerous. 7. NOISE CONTROL 7.1 No person shall cause or permit noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace, quiet, or enjoyment of others. 7.2 Without limiting Section 7.1, no person shall, during Quiet Hours: a) operate audio devices at disturbing volumes; b) operate construction or landscaping equipment; c) cause disturbing noise. 7.3 Exemptions: a) emergency services or municipal operations; b) Council-approved public events; c) agricultural operations compliant with provincial standards. 8. NUISANCES AND PUBLIC DISTURBANCES 8.1 No person shall: a) engage in fighting, yelling, or obscene language in public; b) threaten, harass, or bully any person; c) obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic; d) loiter in a manner that obstructs access to buildings; e) deface, vandalize, or damage property. 8.2 No person shall urinate, defecate, or spit in any public place except designated facilities. 8.3 No person shall deposit garbage or refuse except in designated receptacles. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 5 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 9. CURFEW - PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS 9.1 All persons under the age of eighteen (18) years shall remain at their place of residence between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 10. ENFORCEMENT AND OFFICER POWERS 10.1 Enforcement Officers are authorized to enforce this Bylaw and may exercise any powers conferred under the Municipal Government Act or this Bylaw, including issuing Orders and notices, conducting inspections, and taking enforcement action. 10.2 An Enforcement Officer may remove or cause to be removed any vehicle, trailer, or recreational vehicle that is in contravention of this Bylaw or where removal is required for public safety. 10.3 Any such vehicle may be impounded and held at a location designated by the CAO until released to the owner or authorized agent. 10.4 No impounded vehicle shall be released until all towing, storage, removal charges, and applicable penalties are paid in full. 10.5 The Village is not responsible for loss or damage arising from towing, impoundment, or storage. 10.6 An Enforcement Officer may remove, seize, or impound any property, object, or material placed on municipal property or a highway that is in contravention of this Bylaw, or that creates an obstruction, safety hazard, or nuisance condition, and may deal with such property in accordance with this Bylaw. 10.7 Where any vehicle, trailer, or item has been impounded under this Bylaw and remains unclaimed after the applicable impoundment period, including any period of up to fourteen (14) days under Section 10.6, the Village may: (a) continue to store the item at the owner's expense; or (b) treat the item as abandoned property and dispose of, sell, or otherwise deal with the item. 10.8 All proceeds from any sale shall be applied first to outstanding costs of removal, storage, and enforcement, with any surplus handled in accordance with applicable law. 10.9 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Bylaw, the Village may relocate vehicles or obstructions interfering with snow removal, street cleaning, or municipal maintenance operations. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 6 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 11. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES 11.1 Any person who contravenes this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties outlined in the Village's Master Rates Bylaw. 11.2 Except where immediate enforcement is required for public safety, Enforcement Officers shall follow the following process: (a) Verbal Notification - Officer shall notify the person and direct compliance within a specified timeframe. (b) Written Notice - If not corrected, a written notice shall be issued requiring compliance by a set deadline. (c) Violation Ticket - If non-compliance continues, a violation ticket shall be issued. 11.3 Where an Enforcement Officer observes repeated contraventions of the same provision of this Bylaw by the same person within a twelve (12) month period, enforcement may be escalated in a progressive manner, including issuance of a warning for a first contravention, a written notice or violation ticket for a second contravention, and a violation ticket and further enforcement action, including prosecution or enhanced enforcement measures as permitted by law, for a third or subsequent contravention. 11.4 Orders and notices may be served: (a) personally or by electronic communication where appropriate; and if not complied with (b) by registered mail to the last known address. 11.5 An Enforcement Officer may issue violation tickets, and payment thereof shall be accepted in lieu of prosecution where permitted. 12. RECOVERY OF COSTS 12.1 The C.A.O. may require any person concerned to comply with and remedy a breach of the provisions of this bylaw. If a person fails to comply with such notice, the C.A.O. may direct employees or agents of the Village to carry out the work and to enter upon private property, if necessary, for such purpose. 12.2 All costs incurred by the Village to remedy such default shall be paid on demand to the Village by the person in default. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 7 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM 12.3 Where any costs incurred by the Village under this Bylaw remain unpaid, and the costs are attributable to a parcel of land, the Municipality may add the unpaid amount to the tax roll for that parcel as an additional tax and recover it in the same manner as municipal taxes under the Municipal Government Act. 13. GENERAL 13.1 This Bylaw applies to all persons and all property within the corporate limits of the Village of Myrnam. 13.2 Where this Bylaw imposes a duty or obligation on the owner or occupier of property: (a) both the owner and occupier are jointly and severally responsible for compliance with this Bylaw; (b) the owner is responsible for ensuring compliance in relation to the condition and maintenance of the property; (c) the occupier is responsible for compliance in relation to activities, use, and conduct occurring on the property; (d) where a contravention occurs and responsibility cannot be clearly attributed, the owner shall be deemed responsible unless proven otherwise on a balance of probabilities; (e) the Village may proceed against the owner, the occupier, or both, at its sole discretion; and (f) no agreement between private parties shall relieve either the owner or occupier of liability under this Bylaw. 13.3 Where a contravention of this Bylaw continues for more than one (1) day, each day the contravention continues shall constitute a separate offence. 13.4 The Village shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused that may occur to any personal property, including a Vehicle while any Vehicle is parked on any Village parking lot, or upon any Village lands, or as a result of any removal and/or storage. 13.5 Should any section, subsection, clause or provision of this Bylaw be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of this bylaw as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid. 13.6 That Bylaws 403, 2025-05, 2025-08, and 2025-09 are hereby repealed. 13.7 This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect upon third and final reading. Bylaw 2026-06 Page 8 of 8 BYLAW NO. 2026-06 VILLAGE OF MYRNAM That Bylaw No. 2026-06 be given a first reading this 19th day of May 2026. That Bylaw No. 2026-06 be given a second reading this 19th day of May 2026. That Bylaw No. 2026-06 be given third and final reading and passed this 19th day of May 2026. VILLAGE OF MYRNAM RICK SADOWSKY, MAYOR ELSIE KIZIAK, CAO