By Shane O'Neill

New property amenities bylaw aims to make P.A. properties look good

Sep 1, 2016 | 5:25 PM

Prince Albert’s newest bylaw isn’t meant to catch residents by surprise.

Prince Albert’s property amenities bylaw came into effect on August 8 after a unanimous vote of city council. The new bylaw is an update to the previous property amenities and unsightliness bylaw to include wording around non-functioning vehicles and other vehicles stored on residential property. It also extends to derelict fences, broken windows and hedge or plant growth over city property.

Bylaw manager with the P.A. Police Service, Suzanne Stubbs, spoke with paNOW on Thursday to explain the finer details of the new regulations.

“One of the things we asked to be changed (was) the definition as well to include inoperative or inoperable or cannot be moved by its own person at the request of a bylaw enforcement officer,” she said.

Under the new rules, if a complaint is made through the non-emergency line or an officer recognizes the property to be in violation of the property amenities bylaw, an investigation will commence. This investigation could involve an officer asking the property’s tenant to start any vehicles suspected of being inoperable. If the investigation finds the property is in violation of the bylaw, a notice of violation will be sent to the property owner, not the tenant.

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If a property is given a fine under the bylaw, Stubbs explained the owner has 21 days to fix the issue and pay the fine. The timeframe allows for individuals to appeal through the appropriate channels should they choose to do so.

Stubbs also said leniency can be given under some circumstances.

“But, if let’s say there’s a lot of work that needs to be completed, we’ll sometimes give a little more time,” she said.

Fines start at $500 plus the victim surcharge for a first offence under the bylaw, but could get as high as $10,000 for repeat offenders or serious violations.

When it comes to enforcing the new bylaw, Stubbs said her office created an awareness campaign to inform residents. She also advised her officers to begin issuing tickets by the end of September.

As for the reason for the new regulation, Stubbs said it was a combination of factors including requests from the public over the years, streamlining of the bylaw to help enforcement officers and a desire to bring it in-line with similar ones in Saskatoon and Regina.

shane.oneill@paNOW.com

On Twitter: @stroneill