The Peace River Regional District’s largely-rural community will see updated bylaw enforcement protocol, and adjusted fines for violations, after the council voted in favour of revisions that will come into effect on September 2.
The district’s regular council unanimously passed an amendment adjusting existing bylaw enforcement policies to reflect recent changes made by the council and repeal the old, expired bylaws.
Major changes made to the enforcement guidelines include who can act on behalf of bylaw enforcement – the RCMP, special constables, and other police officers are no longer permitted to act as enforcement officials. District staff said the RCMP has never issued notices on their behalf and, generally, this duty does not fall on forces in other communities.
In addition, the district eliminated the possibility of bylaw enforcement also working as screening officers, who mediate the process between enforcement and violators, they said a person who shares these positions will inevitably create a conflict of interest.
Fines were raised for the violators of the noise bylaw, improper waste disposal, and certain zoning violations in the rural areas where the regional district’s jurisdiction falls.
District staff said bylaw enforcement is rarely called, in fact only three tickets were enforced in 2024, of these, two violations were paid early and one went to adjudication, then, when the verdict was in the district’s favour, the resident did not pay it.
“The outstanding amount owing ($275.00) was registered on the land title and a collections agency will attempt to recover the amounts owing.” staf said.
All in all, the district collected $600 in bylaw enforcement fines last year.
Residents who are loud to the point of bylaw officers’ intervention, and people who do not respect waste guidelines, will now be subject to a $500 fee. Zoning and construction fees vary depending on severity of the violation.
Discounts for payment within 21 days are available for all of the amended guidelines, while late payment penalties may also apply 32 days after the deadline.
