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Part 1 - Purpose

Contravention and Enforcement

This part introduces readers to the Land Use Bylaw, the local Development Authority, the process for amending this Bylaw, and the consequences for contravening it.

1.20 Offence

  1. A person who contravenes, causes, or permits a contravention of any provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence.
  2. Without limiting the generality of section 1, it is an offence for any person to commence or continue a development when:
    1. A Development Permit is required for development, but has not been issued in accordance with section 2.11;
    2. A Development Permit has expired for a development or use in a Residential, Special, Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use District, in accordance with section 2.20;
    3. A Development Permit has been revoked or suspended for a development or use in a Residential, Special, Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use District, in accordance with section 2.21;
    4. A condition of a Development Permit has been contravened for a development or use in a Residential, Special, Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use District, in accordance with section 2.1(5);
    5. A development or use contravenes one or more regulations of this Bylaw, in accordance with section 2.1(6); or
    6. A Stop Order is issued, and work continues, or failure to comply with a condition of a Stop Order in accordance with section 1.23.
  3. It is an offence for a person to prevent or obstruct a Designated Officer from carrying out any official duty under this Bylaw or the MGA.

1.21 Continuing Offence

A contravention of a provision of this Bylaw constitutes a separate offence with respect to each day, or part of a day, during which the contravention continues, and a person guilty of such an offence is liable to a fine in an amount not less than that established by this Bylaw for each such separate offence.

1.22 Enforcing this Bylaw

  1. The Development Authority, a Bylaw Enforcement Officer, or a Peace Officer may enforce the provisions of this Bylaw, or the conditions of a Development Permit, pursuant to the MGA and the Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
  2. Enforcement may be initiated by a violation ticket pursuant to the Provincial Offences Procedure Act, or any other action authorized by statute.
  3. The enforcement powers granted to the Development Authority under this Bylaw are in addition to any enforcement powers that the City or any of its Designated Officers may have under the Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
  4. The Development Authority may exercise all powers concurrently.

1.23 Stop Order

  1. Pursuant to the MGA, where an offence under this Bylaw occurs, the Development Authority may - by written notice - order the owner, the person in possession of the land or buildings, or the person responsible for the contravention, or any or all of them, to:
    1. Stop the development or use of the land or Building includes anything constructed or placed on, in, over, or under land, but does not include a highway or bridge that forms part of a highway. , in whole or in part, as directed by the notice; or
    2. Demolish, remove, or replace the development; or
    3. Carry out any other actions required by the notice so that the development or use complies with a Development Permit decision, subdivision approval, or this Bylaw.
  2. A person who receives a Stop Order may appeal the order to the SDAB or LPRT in accordance with the MGA.
  3. If a Stop Order is not complied with or appealed to the SDAB or LRPT by the stated deadline, the City may elect to take further action.

1.24 Fines and Penalties

  1. A person who is guilty of an offence under this Bylaw is subject:
    1. To a fine, as prescribed in Table 1-1 of this Bylaw, where a violation ticket sets out the specified penalty applicable to the offence; or
    2. To a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to an Order of Imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Table 1-1: Specified Penalties

Offence Section Penalty
2. Development without a valid Development Permit 1.19(2)(a)  

a) Principal building

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Residential or Special Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 1,000

(ii) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 1,500

(iii) Other

 1.19(2)(a) $ 1,000

b) Accessory means subordinate, incidental to, and exclusively devoted to a principal use or principal building. Development

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Residential or Special Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

(ii) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 750

(iii) Temporary building

 1.19(2)(a) $ 250

(iv) Other

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

c) Change of use, alterations, occupancy

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Residential or Special Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

(ii) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(a) $ 1,000

(iii) Other

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

d) Home-based business

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Home-Based Business (Level Two) means an Accessory Development in a dwelling unit or an accessory building, for a business that is operated by a permanent resident of the dwelling unit, and may include one employee who does not reside on the property. This use does not include animal service, automotive (service), automotive specialty, fleet service, or a dry cleaner.

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

(ii) Home-Based Business (Level Three) means an Accessory Development in a dwelling unit or an accessory building, for a business that is operated by a permanent resident of the dwelling unit, which may have four employees who do not reside on the property, with limited outdoor storage. Typical activities include contractor services, landscape supplies, commercial vehicle parking, automotive and auto body repair, and on-site light fabrication.

 1.19(2)(a) $ 750

e) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping.

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Site less ≤ 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

(ii) Site >  7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(a) $ 2,000

f) Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural.

 1.19(2)(a)  

(i) Permanent

 1.19(2)(a) $ 500

(ii) Temporary

 1.19(2)(a) $ 150
3. Continued operation or construction after the expiry of an issued Development Permit 1.19(2)(b)  

a) Residential or Special Districts

 1.19(2)(b) $ 500

a) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(b) $ 750

b) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site less ≤ 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(b) $ 500

c) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site > 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(b) $ 2,000

d) Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural. permanent or temporary

 1.19(2)(b) $ 150

e) Other

 1.19(2)(b) $ 500
4. Continued operation or construction after the cancellation or suspension of a Development Permit 1.19(2)(c)  

a) Residential District

 1.19(2)(c) $ 500

a) Special District

 1.19(2)(c) $ 750

b) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(c) $ 1,000

c) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site less ≤ 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(c) $ 500

d) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site > 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(c) $ 2,000

e) Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural. permanent or temporary

 1.19(2)(c) $ 500

f) Other

 1.19(2)(c) $ 150
5. Failure to comply with Development Permit conditions 1.19(2)(d)  

a) Residential District

 1.19(2)(d) $ 150

a) Special District

 1.19(2)(d) $ 750

b) Commercial, Industrial, or Mixed-Use Districts

 1.19(2)(d) $ 1,000

c) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site less ≤ 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(d) $ 500

d) Stripping means any activity that removes or significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations. This does not include grading or excavation. and Grading means any land disturbance, removal, or fill, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any land disturbance. This does not include excavation or stripping. - site > 7.41 acres

 1.19(2)(d) $ 2,000

e) Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural. permanent or temporary

 1.19(2)(d) $ 150

f) Other

 1.19(2)(d) $ 750
6. Failure to comply with one or more regulations of this Bylaw 1.19(2)(e)  

a) Any regulation, exclusive of signs

 1.19(2)(e)  

(i) Residential District

 1.19(2)(e) $ 250

(ii) Non-Residential District

 1.19(2)(e) $ 500

(iii) Other

 1.19(2)(e) $ 250

b) Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural. permanent or temporary

 1.19(2)(e)  

(i) Residential District

 1.19(2)(e) $ 150

(ii) Non-Residential District

 1.19(2)(e) $ 150

(iii) Other

 1.19(2)(e) $ 150
7. Obstruct a Designated Officer from carrying out official duties under this Bylaw or the MGA 1.19(3) $ 1,000
8. Continuing work after a Stop Order is issued or failure to comply with a condition of a Stop Order 1.19(2)(f) $ 3,000
  1. Payment of a fine does not release the offender from the requirement to comply with the regulations of this Bylaw.

1.25 Violation Ticket

  1. A Peace Officer may issue, with respect to an offence under this Bylaw, a violation ticket:
    1. Specifying the fine amount set out in Table 1-1 of this Bylaw; or
    2. Requiring an appearance in court without the option of making a voluntary payment.
  2. Where a violation ticket specifies a fine amount, a voluntary payment equal to the specified fine amount may be made as directed.

1.26 Compliance With Other Legislation

  1. Compliance with this Bylaw does not exempt any person from the requirements of any federal, provincial, or municipal legislation, approval process, licensing or permitting regime, or other Bylaw.
  2. The City is not responsible for, nor does the City have any obligation to, determine what legislation other than this Land Use Bylaw may apply to a development, nor to monitor or enforce compliance with such legislation.

Last edited: November 26, 2025

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