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unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Consolidated Version
of
the Fire Services Bylaw
(being Bylaw No. 21/2002 of the City of St. Albert, as amended by Bylaw No.
28/2015, 5/2019, 31/2019, 1/2020, 40/2020, 6/2022, 29/2022 and 22/2025
consolidated and printed under the authority of the Chief Administrative Officer of the
City of St. Albert)
This is certified to be a true copy of consolidated
Bylaw No. 21/2002 of the City of St. Albert.
_______________________________________
Marta Caufield
Director of Legal, Legislative and Records Services
Chief Legislative Officer
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 2)
FIRE SERVICES BYLAW REGISTER
NUMBER
1ST READING
2ND READING
3RD READING
SIGNED AND
PASSED
Bylaw
21/2002
August 19/02
September 16/02
September 16/02
Sept.17/02
Amd. #1
41/2006
December 11/06
December 11/06
December 11/06
Dec 12/06
2
29/2009
November 30/09
November 30/09
November 30/09
Dec 16/09
3
37/2010
November 29/10
November 29/10
November 29/10
Dec 1/10
4
40/2011
November 28/11
November 28/11
November 28/11
Nov 29/11
5
29/2012
November 26/12
November 26/12
November 26/12
Nov 27/12
6
27/2014
September 22/14
September 22/14
September 22/14
Sept 24/14
7
28/2015
September 21/15
September 21/15
September 21/15
Sept 25/15
8
5/2019
January 21/19
January 21/19
January 21/19
Jan 24/19
9
31/2019
October 21/2019
October 21/2019
October 21/2019
Oct 21/19
10
01/2020
February 18/2020
February 18/2020
February 18/2020
Mar 27/20
11
40/2020
November 16/2020
November 16/2020
November 16/2020
Nov 19/20
12
6/2022
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2022
Jan 31/22
13
29/2022
September 19, 2022 October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022
October 23,
2022
14
22/2025
September 2, 2025
September 16, 2025 September 16, 2025 September 18,
2025
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 3)
The text shown in parentheses in various locations throughout this document identifies the
corresponding amending bylaw which authorized the change. For example (BL 5/2019) refers to
Bylaw No. 5/2019.
CITY OF ST. ALBERT
BYLAW 21/2002
A bylaw being enacted for the purpose of continuing a
Fire Department in and for the City of St. Albert.
_____________________
WHEREAS Section 3 of the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c.
M-26 states that the purposes of a municipality include providing services that
are in the opinion of Council necessary or desirable for the municipality and
developing and maintaining safe and viable communities.
AND WHEREAS Section 7 of the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000,
c. M-26 allows a municipality to pass bylaws respecting the safety, health and
welfare of people and the protection of people and property and bylaws
respecting services provided by the municipality.
AND WHEREAS the Council of the City of St. Albert wishes to continue
the operation of the St. Albert Fire Department to provide for the efficient
operation of fire and emergency medical services for the citizens of the City of St.
Albert.
The Council of the City of St. Albert, duly assembled, ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
Name of Bylaw
1.
This Bylaw may be referred to as "The Fire Services Bylaw".
Definitions
2.
In this Bylaw:
(a)
"Ambulance Service" means the provision of Emergency Medical
Services or attention to a person and includes the transportation of
that person to a hospital or other medical facility and the
transportation of a person to a medical facility from a private
residence or from a medical facility to a private residence.
(BL 1/2020)
(b)
"Apparatus" means any vehicle provided with machinery, devices,
Equipment or materials for fire fighting or providing Emergency
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 4)
Medical Services, as well as vehicles used to transport Members or
supplies;
(b.1) "Chief Administrative Officer" or "CAO" means the individual
appointed by Council to the position of Chief Administrative Officer
under section 205 of the Municipal Government Act and pursuant to
the Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw; (BL 5/2019)
(c)
"City" means the municipal corporation of the City of St. Albert or,
where the context so requires, the area contained within the
boundaries of the City;
(d)
DELETED (BL 5/2019)
(e)
"Council" means the municipal council of the City of St. Albert;
(f)
"Dangerous Goods" means any material or substance that may
constitute an immediate or long-term adverse effect to life, health,
property or the environment when burned, spilled, leaked or
otherwise released from its normal use, handling, storage or
transportation environment, and shall include those products,
substances and organisms that are covered by federal or provincial
regulations dealing with the transportation of dangerous goods.
(g)
"Department" means the St. Albert Fire Department;
(h)
DELETED (BL 1/2020)
(i)
DELETED (BL 6/2022);
(j)
"Emergency Medical Services" means the provision of emergency
pre-hospital medical care;
(k)
DELETED (BL 1/2020)
(l)
"Equipment" means any tools, contrivances, devices, materials or
supplies of any nature or kind used to respond to an Incident,
provide Emergency Medical Services, used in any other emergency
or used to carry out approved programs in non-emergency
situations;
(m)
"False Alarm" means any fire alarm that is set off either
deliberately, accidentally, or through human or mechanical error to
which the Department has responded and determined that there is
no fire, situation where a fire or explosion is imminent or any other
situation presenting a danger to life or property;
(n)
"Fire Chief" means the Director of Emergency Services (Fire Chief).
(BL 1/2020)
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 5)
(o)
"Fire Protection" means all aspects of fire safety including but not
limited to fire prevention, fire fighting or suppression, pre-fire
planning, fire investigation, public education and information,
training or other staff development and training for emergency
preparedness;
(p)
"Incident" means a fire, a situation where a fire or explosion is
imminent, any other situation or emergency presenting a danger to
life or property to which the Department has responded and
specifically includes the provision of Ambulance Services;
(q)
"Member" means any person who is a duly appointed member of
the Department;
(r)
"Member in Charge" means the Member appointed by the Fire
Chief to be in charge of and direct Department responses to
Incidents for any given shift or for any particular Incident;
(s)
"Nuisance" means any activity which could reasonably disturb the
peace of another individual due to, but not limited to:
(i) Frequency, intensity, or duration of the activity;
(ii) Date and time of the activity;
(iii) The demonstrated impact of the activity on the health or well
being of others;
(iv) Weather and ambient conditions;
(v) The nature and intended use of the surrounding area;
(vi) The proximity of the activity to adjacent or affected properties;
(vii) The effect on the complainant(s) and surrounding area; or
(viii) Non-compliance with any provision of this Bylaw.
(BL 1/2020)
(t) "Residential Fire Pit or Fire Device" means any fire containing
device or installation intended for outdoor use, including but not
limited to: chimineas, constructed or prefabricated fire pits, and
outdoor fireplaces; (BL 1/2020)
(u)
DELETED (BL 1/2020)
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 6)
Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief
3.
(1)
The Fire Chief is accountable to the CAO. (BL 5/2019)
(2)
The Fire Chief has all the powers, duties and functions delegated to
the Fire Chief by Council in this or any bylaw, resolution, policy or
procedure.
(3)
The Fire Chief is responsible for the proper administration and
operation of the Department. Those activities for which he or she is
responsible shall include but will not be limited to:
(a)
Fire Protection; and
(b)
Emergency Medical Services.
(4)
The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the enforcement of the
Safety Codes Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. S-1, as amended from time to
time and any successor legislation related to Fire Protection.
(5)
The Fire Chief has the authority to delegate any of the powers,
duties or responsibilities given to him or her under this Bylaw to any
other Member and may authorize the recipients of such delegations
to further delegate to other Members the powers, duties or
responsibilities given to them.
(6)
DELETED (BL 6/2022)
(7)
The Member in Charge shall have control, direction and
management of all Apparatus, Equipment and Members assigned
to an Incident and shall continue to exercise such control, direction
and management until the Member in Charge transfers the control,
direction and management of the Incident to a Member of equal or
higher rank or until relieved by a Member of an equal or higher rank
also appointed by the Fire Chief to be a Member in Charge.
(8)
The Fire Chief or Member in Charge may, pursuant to any mutual
aid agreements entered into between the City of St. Albert and any
other municipality, call upon any Members, Equipment or
Apparatus as he or she may deem necessary and as the
circumstances may require to respond to a request for assistance.
(BL 6/2022)
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 7)
Powers of the Fire Chief
4.
(1)
DELETED (BL 6/2022)
(2)
During an Incident, the Fire Chief may:
(a)
cause a building, structure or thing to be pulled down,
demolished or otherwise removed if he or she deems it
necessary to prevent the spread of fire to other buildings,
structures or things;
(b)
enter premises or property where an Incident occurs and
cause any Member, Apparatus or Equipment to enter the
premises or property, as he or she deems necessary, in
order to combat, control or deal with the Incident;
(c)
enter, pass through or over buildings or property and to
cause Members, Apparatus and Equipment to enter or pass
through or over buildings or property, where he or she
deems it necessary to gain access to the Incident or to
protect any persons or property;
(d)
at his or her discretion, establish boundaries or limits and
keep persons from entering the area within the prescribed
boundaries or limits unless authorized to enter by him or her;
(e)
request police officers to enforce restrictions on persons
entering within the boundaries or limits outlined in Section
4(2)(d);
(f)
request that all persons present at the Incident assist
Members in such manner as such person shall be directed
by the Fire Chief; and
(g)
commandeer privately owned Equipment or Apparatus which
he or she considers necessary to deal with an Incident.
(3)
The Fire Chief may obtain assistance from other officials of the
municipality as he or she deems necessary in order to discharge
his or her duties and responsibilities under this Bylaw.
(4)
The Fire Chief may impose conditions on any approval, permit or
authorization under this Bylaw.
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 8)
(5)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Bylaw, the Fire Chief
may at any time impose a ban on some or all Permitted Fires within
the City. Once imposed, such a ban shall remain in effect until
lifted by the Fire Chief.
Prohibitions
5.
(1)
No person shall enter the boundaries or limits of an area prescribed
in accordance with Section 4(2)(d) unless he or she has been
authorized to enter by the Fire Chief.
(2)
At an Incident, no person shall impede, obstruct or hinder a
Member of the Department or other person assisting or acting
under the direction of the Fire Chief.
(3)
No person shall damage or destroy Apparatus or Equipment of the
Department.
(4)
No person at an Incident shall drive a vehicle over any Equipment
without permission of the Fire Chief.
(5)
No person shall obstruct a Member from carrying out duties
imposed by this Bylaw.
(6)
No person shall falsely represent themselves as a Member or wear
or display any Department badge, cap, button, insignia or other
paraphernalia for the purpose of such false representation.
(7)
No person shall obstruct or otherwise interfere with access roads or
streets or other approaches to any fire alarm, fire hydrant, cistern or
body of water designated for fire fighting purposes or any
connections provided to a fire main, pipe, stand pipe, sprinkler
system, cistern or other body of water designated for fire fighting
purposes.
(8)
No person shall set any fire out of doors to burn or shall burn in any
fire out of doors in the City any kitchen garbage, construction
material or materials made of or containing rubber, plastic, tar or
other materials that create noxious smoke or fumes when burnt.
(9)
No person shall set any fire out of doors within the City unless the
fire is specifically permitted by Section 6 of this Bylaw.
(10)
No person shall set a fire in an area where it may spread.
(11)
No person shall operate an Ambulance Service within the City
without obtaining the prior written consent of the Fire Chief.
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 9)
(12)
No person shall sell or use fireworks in the City without the written
permission of the Fire Chief.
(13)
No person shall tamper with, damage or destroy a fire hydrant, fire
main, pipe, stand pipe or fire department connections.
(14)
No person shall set a fire that has been prohibited by a fire ban
imposed by the Fire Chief.
Permitted Fires
6.
(1)
Subject to Section 6(2) the following fires shall be permitted within
the City of St. Albert:
(a)
an outdoor fire in a barbeque or similar metal or masonry
container which has been certified for use by an accredited
testing agency, if:
(i)
charcoal is the fuel of the fire;
(ii)
the fire is being used only for cooking food; and
(iii) the fire is not on the balcony of a building.
(BL 1/2020)
(b)
an outdoor fire in a barbeque or similar metal or masonry
container which has been certified for use by an accredited
testing agency, if:
(i)
propane or natural gas is the fuel for the fire; and
(ii) the fire id being used only for cooking food.
(BL 1/2020)
(c)
an open flame in an appliance being used for the heating of
pitch or asphalt;
(d)
an open flame in an appliance being used for construction or
maintenance;
(e)
a fire for cooking or warmth in an approved Residential Fire
Pit;
(f)
a fire set by the Department in training areas approved by
the Fire Chief for the purpose of training or testing
Equipment or Apparatus;
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 10)
(g)
a fire set by a fire Equipment or Apparatus manufacturer or
his agent for the purpose of demonstrating fire fighting
Equipment or Apparatus in an area approved by the Fire
Chief and with Department personnel present;
(h)
a fire in an incinerator which has been licensed pursuant to
applicable legislation;
(i)
a fire in a fireplace within or attached to dwellings
constructed in accordance with applicable legislation;
(j)
a fire for thawing or heating building materials provided such
fire is set in a location that does not endanger the structure
or building materials;
(k)
a fire for the burning of brush, brush piles, stubble,
windrows, and burning barrels within the City with the prior
permission of the Fire Chief and only in locations and at the
times approved by the Fire Chief; and (BL 6/2022)
(l)
a fire in a fire containing device, approved by the Fire Chief,
located within a City-owned park.
(2)
No fire described in Section 6(1) is permitted unless it is attended
by a person competent to supervise it.
(3)
Notwithstanding that a fire may be one of the types of permitted
fires described in Section 6(1), the Fire Chief or Member in Charge
may require that the fire be extinguished if, in the opinion of the Fire
Chief or Member in Charge, the fire creates a hazard or Nuisance.
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
7.
Nothing in this Bylaw shall be deemed to authorize any fire, burning or
other act which is in contravention of the Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. E-12 and amendments thereto, or any
regulation made thereunder, and in the event of any conflict between the
provisions of this Bylaw and the said Act or Regulations, the provisions of
the said Act or Regulations shall govern.
Residential Fire Pits
8.
(1)
No person shall construct, install or erect a Residential Fire Pit
without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief.
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 11)
(2)
Notwithstanding that a proposed location of a Residential Fire Pit
complies with the separation distances specified in Section 8(3),
the Fire Chief has absolute discretion in determining whether to
issue a permit for a Residential Fire Pit.
(3)
A permit for a Residential Fire Pit will not be approved unless the
Residential Fire Pit is:
(a)
no less than forty (40) centimetres in height;
(b)
no greater than ninety (90) centimetres in inside diameter;
(c)
made of metal, rock, concrete or cured or fired ceramic or
clay or other non-combustible material;
(d)
in the rear yard of a residential property;
(e)
no less than three (3) metres from all property lines;
(f)
no less than three (3) metres from any structure made of or
containing combustible materials (including but not limited to:
decks, fences, garages, sheds, houses, play structures and
benches);
(g)
no less than three (3) metres from any trees or shrubs;
(h)
on a base of gravel or concrete that is ten (10) or more
centimetres greater in size than the outside of the fire
containing device; and
(i)
equipped with a metal spark arrestor or other metal
screening with a maximum hole size of seven (7) millimetres.
(4)
For the purposes of Section 8(3) the separation distances shall be
measured in both a horizontal and vertical direction.
(5)
The Fire Chief may issue a permit for a Residential Fire Pit even if
the proposed Residential Fire Pit does not meet the specifications
set out in Section 8(3) if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, the
proposed location and/or design of the Residential Fire Pit would
not pose a hazard to surrounding property, combustible materials,
trees or shrubs.
(6)
To obtain a permit for a Residential Fire Pit a person must submit to
the Fire Chief, a design drawing of the proposed installation and
placement of the Residential Fire Pit including details as to the
composition of the device, size and composition of the base, and
separation distances from property lines, combustible materials,
trees and shrubs.
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 12)
(7)
The Fire Chief may at any time enter onto private property to
inspect a Residential Fire Pit that exists on the property, whether or
not a permit has been issued for the Residential Fire Pit.
(8)
The Fire Chief may at any time revoke a permit for a
Residential Fire Pit if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, the continued
use of the Residential Fire Pit could pose a hazard or create a
Nuisance.
Tank Work
9.
DELETED (BL 1/2020)
Recovery of Cost
10.
(1)
When the Department has taken any action including but not limited
to responding to an Incident, providing Ambulance Service,
responding to a False Alarm, inspecting a building or site, attending
at a motor vehicle accident, or hiring the services of external fire
consultants or dangerous goods clean-up teams, the Department
may recover costs incurred in taking the action against the person
requesting the action, the person whose actions necessitated the
action by the Department, or the owner or occupant of the land or
property with respect to which the action was taken.
(2)
The decision to recover the costs or fees for actions taken by the
Department shall be made by the Fire Chief. Upon determining
that costs or fees are to be recovered for actions taken by the
Department, the Fire Chief shall issue an invoice for such costs or
fees to the person requesting the action, the person whose actions
necessitated the action by the Department, or the owner or
occupant of the land or property towards which the action was
taken, as the case may be.
(3)
The schedule of costs to be recovered or fees to be charged by the
Department for actions taken shall be as set out in Schedule "A" to
this Bylaw.
(4)
In respect of the costs to be recovered or fees to be charged by the
Department pursuant to this Section the City may:
(a)
recover such costs or fees as a debt due and owing to the
City; or
(b)
in the case of costs or fees charged as a result of
extinguishing fires on land within the City and buildings or
structures on that land, the costs or fees, if not paid by the
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 13)
owner or occupant upon demand for payment by the City,
may be charged against the land as taxes due and owing in
respect of the land.
Penalties
11.
Any person who:
(a)
contravenes or fails to comply with any provision in Section 5 of this
Bylaw; or
(b)
who refuses or neglects to comply with any condition as imposed
by the Fire Chief under Section 4(4),
is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than
$10,000.00 and in default of payment to imprisonment for a term of not
more than twelve (12) months.
12.
Any person who contravenes Sections 8(1), 9(1), 9(3) and 9(4) is guilty of
an offence and shall pay a penalty as set out in Schedule "A" to this
Bylaw.
Indemnification
13.
(1)
The City shall indemnify and save harmless any Member, acting in
good faith and without malice, from any and all actions, causes of
actions, claims and demands arising out of any act or omission
made by him or her while he or she was engaged in the exercise of
his or her duties and responsibilities under this Bylaw.
(2)
The City shall undertake to defend any action or suit brought
against a Member for whom indemnification is allowed under
Section 13(1) of this Bylaw.
Severability
14.
Should any section or part of this Bylaw be found to have been improperly
enacted, for any reason, then such section or part shall be regarded as being
severable from the rest of the bylaw and the bylaw remaining after such
severance shall be effective and enforceable as if the section found to be
improperly enacted had not been enacted as part of this Bylaw.
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 14)
Repeal of Bylaw 34/83
15.
Bylaw 34/83, the City of St. Albert Fire Bylaw, and any amendments
thereto, are hereby repealed.
Repeal of Bylaw 31/77
16.
Bylaw 31/77, the City of St. Albert Ambulance Bylaw, and any
amendments thereto, are hereby repealed.
Amendment of Schedule "P" to Master Rates Bylaw
17.
Bylaw 1/82, the Master Rates Bylaw, is hereby amended by deleting
Sections 8, 9 and 10 of Schedule "P".
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 15)
SCHEDULE "A"
TO FIRE SERVICES BYLAW 21/2002
Effective January 1, 2026
Service/Action
(subject to GST)
SERVICE/ACTION
2026
Open burning permit for special events
75.00/individual
Residential firepit permits
Initial Application fee
+ first year
25.00/Annual renewal
fee $10.00
File Search/Environmental Search/Summary Report
125/report up to two
hrs research &
Preparation
+35.00/0.5 hrs
Digital Photos
50 for first 5 digital
photographs; $5 for
every additional
photograph
Fire Extinguisher training in city during office hours
10.00/person with a
minimum of 100.00
Fire Extinguisher training in city outside of regular
office hours
100.00/hr, minimum
two hours, plus
10.00/person
Request for attendance at special functions outside
regular office hours
150.00/hr
Business License Fire Code Compliance Review and
Requested Inspection
75.00/hr
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Route Permit
(annual)
155.00/year
Permit for the Display (high level) fireworks
125.00/event
Safety Codes Inspections 1st Inspection
0.00
Safety Codes Inspections 1st re-inspection
0.00
Safety Codes Inspections 2nd re-inspection
125.00
Safety Codes Inspections 3rd re-inspection and
subsequent inspections
500.00
Service of an Order under the Safety Codes Act
500.00
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 16)
Review of a Variance under the Safety Codes Act
500.00
Occupant Load Certificate
125.00/certificate
Occupancy Load Certificate Replacement Fee
65.00/certificate
Special Event Food Outlet/Mobile Cooking Operation
Annual Permit
125.00
Special Event Food Outlet/Mobile Cooking Operation
re-inspection
Same as inspection
fee schedule
Cost Recoveries
(Subject to GST Except Ambulance Services)
SERVICE/ACTION
2026
Fire Investigations
125.00/person/hr
Fire Incident report
125.00/person/hr
Fire Investigation Summary
250.00
Third Party Investigator and/or consultants
Actual cost + 10%
False Alarm - at same site within a twelve (12) month
period for other than approved fire alarm systems
maintained as per ULC S536 requirements First and
Second False Alarm
0.00
Second False Alarm - at same site within a twelve
(12) month period for other than approved fire alarm
systems maintained as per ULC S536 requirements
First and Second False Alarm
250.00
Third
650.00
Fourth
975.00
Fifth and subsequent False Alarms
1,300.00
Fire Suppression response
First hour - No
Charge,
720.00/unit/hr
thereafter
MVC Except Provincial Highway
720.00/unit/hr
MVC Provincial Highway
Alberta
Transportation Rates
or 720.00/unit/hr
Third Party Response, including but not limited to
hazardous materials cleanup
Actual cost + 10%
Supplies
Actual cost + 10%
Hazmat Response
720.00/unit/hr
BYLAW 21/2002(Page 17)
Rescue
720.00/unit/hr
Draft Commander
250/unit/hr
Administration Fee on all Response Fees - includes
standard consumables and disposal costs
100.00 per incident
Ambulance Services (GST Exempt)
For patients within a qualifying provincial program
Rates as set from
time to time by the
Minister or Deputy
Minister of Alberta
Health
For all other patients
Rates as set from
time to time by
Alberta Blue Cross
(BL 1/2020, BL 40/2020, BL 29/2022, BL 22/2025)