1. Business & Development
  2. Development Regulation
  3. Developers & Homebuilders
  4. Zoning Violations

Zoning Violations

A team of Bylaw Inspectors enforce the Zoning Bylaw (No. 8770), which outlines the activity and development allowed on private property. Our main goal is to work with residents to help them understand their responsibilities and promote shared community standards. 

Some common residential concerns include: 

  • Illegal dwelling units
  • Shipping container storage
  • Vehicles parked on the front lawn
  • Fence height
  • Storage of materials on vacant lots 
  • Illegal home based businesses
     

Enforcement of the Zoning Bylaw 

The enforcement of the Zoning Bylaw is different than the enforcement of other civic bylaws. The Zoning Bylaw gets it's authority from the provincial Planning and Development Act, whereas other bylaws get their authority from the Cities Act. As an example, under the Cities Act, we have other tools that we can call upon to rectify a violation, such as ticketing or completing the work and adding the costs to the property owner's tax roll. Under the Planning and Development Act, we are unable to issue tickets.

Once we establish a zoning violation, we are required to provide an opportunity for the property owner to comply with the Zoning Bylaw. If the issue cannot be resolved, we issue an Order to Remedy Contravention with a deadline for compliance. The property owner then has an option to appeal our Order to the local Development Appeals Board. This Board is not comprised of City employees, but community members. Sometimes property owners will ask for an extension or time to comply and the Board has the authority to grant more time or dismiss the order. Development Appeals Board decisions are binding. 

Although prosecution remains a possible course of action for all Zoning Bylaw violations, it is generally considered a last resort. However, if a property owner refuses to resolve an issue within the prescribed timeline, or if a property owner repeats an offense, legal action will be considered.

Reporting a Violation

Please fill out the online report form and select the category that best describes the issue.