The enforcement of bylaws is a new and exciting revenue stream for the municipality.

Since January a total of $69,776 in fines have been doled out for everything from blown stop signs to noise complaints.

The municipality has responded to 130 municipal bylaw complaints so far this year, most of them related to traffic, animal control issues and garbage disposal.

Peace officers issued 419 bylaw tickets and 198 provincial tickets.

At a municipal open house on May 31, deputy chief Curtis Stevens informed citizens about the nuances of a number of municipal bylaws and on ways to avoid paying into the town’s coffers.

Civic Address Bylaw

Stevens said some people are violating the Civic Address Bylaw, which states that property owners need to display their property’s house number at the main entrance to the home. The numbers must be in contrasting colour and large enough to see from the street.

Stevens said it can be tough for emergency responders to find houses with faint or illegible house numbers.

“It’s very difficult to read at 3 a.m., especially when we’re dealing with an emergency situation,” he said.

Community Standards Bylaw

The municipality doesn’t like it if there’s too much junk on your lawn.

Curtis said citizens could be fined for accumulated household furniture, abandoned vehicles or even uncut grass.

Furthermore, if a property gets vandalized, the owner is responsible for removing the graffiti within five days of its application.

The good news is that the municipality will move your junk at no cost. For more information call (403) 562-8600.

Garbage and animal attractants

It’s illegal to place, store, permit or dispose of animal attractants outdoors in such a manner that they are accessible to wildlife.

Animal attractants are food waste, compost, the carcass of an animal or fish or anything else an animal decides is edible.

Garbage should be placed on the curb, in an animal proof bin, the morning of the community’s solid waste pickup day no earlier than 6 a.m.