Community Standards Bylaw (223-26)

White Sands, Alberta

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 7223e99a3ded · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Summer Village of White Sands, Bylaw 223-26 1 SUMMER VILLAGE OF WHITE SANDS BYLAW NO. 223-26 "COMMUNITY STANDARDS BYLAW" A BYLAW OF THE SUMMER VILLAGE OF WHITE SANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA WHEREAS the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M-26, as amended, authorizes a municipality to pass bylaws respecting the safety, health, and welfare of people and the protection of people and property; AND WHEREAS the Council of the Summer Village of White Sands wishes to establish clear and enforceable standards respecting unsightly premises, nuisances, and noise, without duplicating or conflicting with other municipal bylaws; NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the Summer Village of White Sands, duly assembled, enacts as follows: SECTION 1 - TITLE This Bylaw may be cited as the "Community Standards Bylaw." SECTION 2 - PURPOSE 2.1. The purpose of this Bylaw is to: a) Maintain reasonable standards for property appearance and condition; b) Prevent and address nuisances and unsightly premises; c) Promote the comfort and enjoyment of property within the Summer Village; d) Provide a clear and enforceable framework for compliance and remediation. SECTION 3 - DEFINITIONS 3.1. "Designated Officer" means a person appointed by the Summer Village whose duties include enforcement of municipal bylaws, and includes a Peace Officer. 3.2. "Graffiti" means any marking, writing, drawing, painting, etching, or defacing of property that is applied without the consent of the Owner of the property or that cannot be removed cleanly from the surface. 3.3. "Municipal Government Act" means the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M- 26, as amended. 3.4. "Nuisance" means any condition or activity on property that is unsightly, offensive, or that may negatively affect the use and enjoyment of neighbouring property, including but not limited to: a) the accumulation of waste, refuse, or debris; b) discarded or dilapidated materials, including furniture, appliances, or scrap; c) excessive or uncontrolled vegetation growth; d) conditions that create odour, pests, or health concerns; e) structures, fences, or improvements in a state of significant disrepair. 3.4. "Owner" means the registered owner, occupant, or person in control of property. 3.5. "Property" means land, buildings, or structures within the Summer Village. Summer Village of White Sands, Bylaw 223-26 2 3.6. "Unsightly" means a condition of property that is visually unappealing, neglected, or disorderly to a reasonable observer. SECTION 4 - UNSIGHTLY PREMISES AND NUISANCE 4.1. No Owner shall cause, permit, or allow Property to become unsightly or to constitute a nuisance. 4.2. Without limiting Section 4.1, an Owner shall ensure that Property is maintained in a manner that: a) is free from excessive accumulation of waste, refuse, or debris; b) does not contain discarded, dismantled, or dilapidated materials in open view; c) does not exhibit uncontrolled or excessive vegetation growth that creates an unsightly condition; d) does not create conditions that attract pests or produce offensive odours; e) maintains structures, fences, and improvements in a safe and reasonable state of repair. 4.3. No Owner shall allow any vehicle, trailer, boat, or equipment to remain on a Property in a condition that is unsightly or constitutes a nuisance. 4.4. Without limiting Section 4.3, a vehicle, trailer, boat, or equipment may be considered unsightly where it: a) is significantly damaged, dismantled, or in disrepair; b) is missing major components necessary for its intended use; c) has been left in a state of apparent abandonment; d) contributes to a cluttered or disorderly appearance of the Property. 4.5. For greater clarity, this Bylaw regulates property condition and appearance only and does not regulate land use, development, or permitted uses governed under other bylaws. 4.6. Graffiti a) No Owner shall allow graffiti to remain on any building, structure, fence, or other improvement on Property where it is visible from a public place. b) Where graffiti exists, the Owner shall remove, paint over, or otherwise permanently obscure the graffiti within a reasonable time upon becoming aware of its existence or upon receiving notice from a Designated Officer. SECTION 5 - NOISE 5.1. No person shall cause or permit noise that is unreasonable and that disturbs the peace and enjoyment of others between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 5.2. In determining whether noise is unreasonable, consideration may be given to: a) the type, volume, and duration of the sound; b) the time of day; c) the nature of the surrounding area. 5.3. Notwithstanding the above, no person shall operate tools, equipment, or machinery in a manner that creates a disturbance between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. 5.4. This Section does not apply to: a) municipal operations or contractors acting on behalf of the Summer Village; b) emergency activities; c) activities otherwise authorized under another bylaw. Summer Village of White Sands, Bylaw 223-26 3 SECTION 6 - MUNICIPAL PROPERTY 6.1. No person shall deposit, dump, or leave waste, refuse, debris, litter, or any substance on Municipal Property. 6.2. No person shall allow materials or items to accumulate on Municipal Property without authorization. SECTION 7 - INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 7.1. A Designated Officer may, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, enter upon Property (excluding a dwelling) at reasonable times to inspect for compliance. 7.2. Where a contravention exists, a Designated Officer may issue a written notice requiring the Owner to: a) remedy the condition; b) take specified action; c) comply within a stated timeframe. 7.3. If the Owner fails to comply, the Summer Village may: a) carry out the work; and b) recover all costs, including adding them to the tax roll in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. SECTION 8 - OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 8.1. A person who contravenes this Bylaw is guilty of an offence. 8.2. A Designated Officer may issue a violation ticket pursuant to the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. 8.3. Each day a contravention continues constitutes a separate offence. SECTION 9 - SEVERABILITY If any portion of this Bylaw is invalid, the remainder remains in force. SECTION 10 - REPEAL Upon final passing, Bylaw No. 196-23 is repealed in its entirety. SECTION 11 - EFFECTIVE DATE This Bylaw comes into force on third and final reading. Read a first time this 20th day of April, 2026. Read a second time this 19th day of May, 2026. Read a third time and passed this 19th day of May, 2026. _______Original Signed______________ MAYOR ____Original Signed_______ CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Summer Village of White Sands, Bylaw 223-26 4 Summer Village of White Sands, Bylaw 223-26 5 SCHEDULE "A" FINES OFFENCE FIRST SECOND THIRD + SUBSEQUENT Unsightly Property / Nuisance $250 $500 $1,000 Vehicle / Equipment (Unsightly) $250 $500 $1,000 Failure to Comply with Order $500 $1,000 $2,000 Noise Disturbance $250 $500 $1,000 Littering / Dumping $250 $500 $1,000 Other Offence $200 $400 $800