Bylaw Services

Bylaw Enforcement

There are two forms of enforcement in the Town of Canmore – Bylaw Services and RCMP. Responsible for the enforcement of selected Bylaws & Policy and Provincial Statutes, Community Peace Officers respond to complaints 7 days a week between the hours of 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM.  Service is of the utmost importance and complaints are responded to as quickly as possible.

For a comprehensive list of all downloadable bylaws click here. 

To report a concern, click here

Ticket Appeals

If you wish to appeal a ticket please download the document Ticket Appeal Form (688 KB) , fill it out, and submit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please read the form carefully before submission. 

Annual Report

To view the Bylaw Services annual report please pdf click here. (123 KB)

More Information

• Animal Control

• pdf Animal Control Bylaw 10-2011 (159 KB)
  The Town of Canmore’s Animal Control Bylaw regulates domestic animals in our Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however if you would like more detail, please refer to the actual Animal Control Bylaw 10-2011. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk. If you have lost your pet or have found a pet click here for more information.

  What is the law?

  • All dogs are required to be licensed. Click here for licensing information.
  • Dogs are not allowed to run at large in Canmore. This means that dogs must be under the control of their owner at all times.
  • Dogs are not to be left unattended (even if they are on a leash) at locations where the public has access (such as a grocery store or coffee shop).
  • All dogs must be on-leash at all times, unless posted signs indicate otherwise, or they are in a securely fenced private yard.
  • Dogs must still be under the control of their owner in designated off leash areas, meaning they will come to you on command. Click here for Quarry Lake off leash area map.
  • A dog owner must ensure their dog does not:
    • Attack or threaten any person
    • Chase any person on bike, horseback, or while walking or running
    • Attack, harass, injure or kill another Domestic Animal or Wildlife
    • Bark or Howl Excessively
    • Defecate on Private or Public Property without the owner immediately removing it.
  • Dogs are not allowed in:
    • Areas where prohibited by sign
    • Quarry Lake
  • Dogs must be secured in the back of pickup trucks, regardless if the vehicle is moving or not. This can be accomplished by:
    • Enclosing the bed of the truck with a topper
    • Securing a ventilated kennel in the bed of the truck
    • Tethering the animal so that it is not standing on bare metal (rubber mats work great) and ensuring the tether is short enough so that the dog can not reach beyond the outside edges of the truck.
  • Animal attractants can not be stored outside (this includes feeding feral rabbits).
  • Birdfeed cannot be placed or stored outside between April 1st and October 31st.
• Animal Licences

• pdf Animal Control Bylaw 10-2011 (159 KB)
  
  If you reside in Canmore you must license your pet. Licenses may be purchased at the Town of Canmore Civic Centre Front Desk located at 902 7th Avenue between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday – Friday. You may fill out the application form before dropping by the Town office. Click here to download a Dog or Cat Licence Application (under 'Animal Licencing' heading). Once documentation and payment has been received you will be issued a tag that must be attached to your pet's collar.

  All licence tags expire on December 31st and must be renewed before January 1st. One year or three year licenses are available.

  Licence Fees

  Dog One year Licence	$55.00
  Dog Three year licence	$114.00
  Cat Licence (Voluntary)	$25.00

  Other Fees

  Replacement Tag	$10.00
  Impound Fee	$50.00
  Kenneling Fee per day	$20.00

   

• Community Watch

• It is not only crime that the police keep us safe from in Canmore.They protect in other ways like putting a stop to dangerous behaviour or alerting community members about dangerous situations. Please remember this as part of the Canmore Community Watch intent in maintaining a safe community. Someone walking down the CPR tracks with headphones on, or an unattended construction site that has developed a dangerous condition or even a weather related danger.

  Canmore has lots of safety concerns that include wildlife, sinkholes, flash flooding, a cold and rapid river running through town and so forth that can put community members in immediate danger and alerting the police enables them to mitigate or contact the appropriate officials to do so.

  KNOWING YOUR NEIGHBOURS

  Knowing your neighbours is an important part of helping to maintain a safe community. You get to know their regular patterns so that you can see when something is unusual. Particularly in Canmore, with the number of part time residents and vacation homes, knowing the patterns of your neighbours is essential. Canmore is, in many ways, a demonstrated tight knit community so while many of us are already well aware of the regular and irregular activities of our neighbours, now we can look at that awareness as it relates to a safe community. Make a point of expanding this knowledge to reach those neighbours that you don’t know. You’ll make new friends and help with the Canmore Community Watch Program.

  SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

  Suspicious activity is anything that looks like it could be connected with criminal behaviour – someone casing a neighbourhood, grabbing a child, forcing open a door, screaming or pounding coming from a nearby residence, strong odours coming from an inappropriate building are but a handful of examples. If activity is or appears to be threatening to property or people, immediately report the suspicious activity by calling police. Time is critical in police work so it is imperative to make the call right away and the likelihood of you making that very important call diminishes with every second you wait.

  SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE

  - Gathering in an unusual group or place may be burglary, arson or drug dealing.
  - Behaving strangely may be on drugs or preparing to do something illegal
  - With any sort of weapon could be planning any number of crimes.
  - Concealing something that they are carrying may be carrying stolen goods or a weapon.
  - Creating foot traffic to and from a particular place with short visits may be involved with drugs or the sale of stolen goods
  - Loitering around cars or looking into them could be casing cars for theft of a car or its contents.
  - Running while carrying something that would not normally be carried while running may fleeing the scene of a crime.
  - Creating any type of disturbance, besides disturbing the peace, may by covering up noise of some other activity.
  - Going door to door, epecially if someone goes to the rear of the residence are possibly casing the neighbourhood or seeking an unsecured entry into the residence.
  - Loitering around schools, parks or your street are possibly burglars, sex offenders or involved in drugs or arson.
  - Screaming for help may have a medical emergency, being robbed, assaulted or there may be a fire.
  - Offering items for sale at extremely low prices could possibly be trying to sell stolen goods.

  SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES 

  - Moving slowly without lights on at night may be casing a neighbourhood or tracking a victim.
  - Parked, occupied and unusual to the neighbourhood may be casing the neighbourhood, operating as a point for drug dealing, a sexual assault or robbery.
  - Being loaded with goods if parked by a closed business or unoccupied house could be part of a burglary in progress.
  - Driving with difficulty, particularly if it is a new or expensive model, is possibly a stolen vehicle or the driver may be impaired.
  - That appear overloaded, parked or travelling in yor neighbourhood maybe a party to a burglary.
  - Where a person or persons are detaching mechanical parts or accessories might be a sign of theft or vandalism in progress
  - Abandoned on your block may be stolen
  - That a person is being forced into may be a sign of assault or abduction.
  - With odd property in them like TV's, stereos or weapons may be storing stolen goods.
  - That are locked with people trying to forcibly enter could be being stolen or its contents may be the target.
  - Unattended may be a sign that someone is or has committed a burglary or robbery.
  - Abandoned and/or in bad condition with signs of being in an accident could have been involved in a hit and run.
  - Which are not from the neighbourhood driving randomly without a purposeful destination may be looking for an open garage door or unoccupied residence from which to steal or vandalize.

  SUSPICIOUS SOUNDS

  - Cries for help is precisely what you hear. Act on it! Find out where the screams are coming from and immediately call the police.
  - Continuous screaming is probably the result of someone being hurt or mistreated. Try to determine the location, source and nature of the scream and immediately call police.
  - Yelling and cursing can be a sign of domestic violence. Determine the location and call police.
  - The sound of gunfire should immediately be reported to police with as much information as you can note.
  - Activated alarms should be reported to police immediately noting their location, source and nature.
  - The sound of shattering glass should be reported to the police immediately.
  - Loud music may be used to mask other unlawful activities. If you hear the sound of someone crying or screaming being covered by the loud music call the police immediately.
  - If you hear unusual sounds you should determine the location, source and nature of the sounds and if you are suspicious you should call police immediately.
  - The continuous barking of a dog is cause for alarm. Determine the location of the dog and call police.

  SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION

  The following is a list of important details to note if you witness a person committing a crime or if you are reporting a person that you are suspicious of to police:

  -Height, weight, build and posture
  - Hair colour, length, wig, cap, hat, ski mask, stocking mask, baseball hat
  - Sex
  - Age
  - Eye colour, glasses
  - Race, colour of skin
  - Nose, lips, teeth, ears, hearing aid, facial jewelry, facial hair
  - Voice, language, accent, lisp
  - Unusual facial features, cleft chin
  - Scars, marks, tattoos, amputations, deformities
  - Right or left handed, wearing watch, rings or bracelets
  - Gun, knife, club, or other weapon
  - Clothing length and colour, jacket, necktie, shorts, pants, skirt
  - Name if heard called out
  - Carrying anything
  - Gloves, shoes, colours and types

  When noting a license plate record it immediately but pay attention not only to the plate number but also the province or state and if it cannot be determined, note the colour and description of the plate.

• False Alarms

•   pdf False Alarm Bylaw 2017-08 (2.16 MB)
  
  False alarms are costly, time consuming and create a potential safety risk for the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however if you would like more detail, please refer to document linked above.  Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  A "false alarm" means any notification to the Fire Department or the RCMP, respecting the existence of a condition, circumstance or event containing an imminent serious danger to persons or property, where no such condition, circumstance of event exists. The fine for committing an offence has a minimum specified penalty of $250.00. 

  Tips to Prevent False Alarms

  • Alarm systems should receive regular maintenance and testing to ensure they are functioning properly.
  • Check for drafts that may cause curtains, plants or decorations to set off motion detectors.
  • Be sure everyone in the family, guests, cleaners and contractors or at the business knows how to properly operate the security system.
  • Motion detectors require additional care to prevent false alarms. Ensure pets are not allowed to roam freely through the area that is covered by the motion detector. Do not keep balloons in an area covered by motion detectors.
• Fire Bylaw

• Fire Bylaw

  pdf Fire Bylaw 2013-08 corrected (379 KB)
  
  The Canmore Fire Bylaw was approved July 7, 2013. This is an overview of these regulations. These regulations apply to all firepits, including front, side and back yard firepits, fireworks, fire protection fees & interference. Please refer to the actual bylaw, Fire Bylaw 2013-08 for more detailed information. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  All fires must be:

  • In a fire pit or receptacle constructed of non-combustible material.
  • In a fire pit built into the bare ground or set upon non-combustible material.
  • Not within 2 meters from any building or combustible material.
  • Kept to a reasonable size (under 1 meter both height and width) and no more than 60cm above the surrounding surface grade.
  • Fully supervised at all times.
  • May be started beginning at 10:00am and fully extinguished by 1:00am.
  • You must have a means to extinguish the fire on hand at all times. The fire must be extinguished completely, so that the ashes are cold prior to leaving the fire.

  You cannot burn:

  • Treated or painted lumber
  • Lumber products containing glue or resins.
  • Wet wood
  • Leaves, brush or yard waste
  • Garbage
  • Rubber, tires or plastic
  • Fire Works

  No person can offer fireworks for sale
  No person can discharge fire works unless a permit has been issued

  Fire ban

  The fire Chief has the power to declare a complete ban on all burning within the Town. The Town of Canmore Fire Department, The Canmore RCMP or a Peace Officer may ask you to extinguish your fire when a fire ban is in effect. They may also ask you to extinguish your fire if you are not complying with the regulations listed above.

  Tips for fire pit use

  • Only clean, dry firewood is permitted to be burned in fire pits. Burning prohibited materials can cause dense smoke and offensive odours to neighbouring properties.
  • Smoke from fire pits can cause adverse health effects in some people. Be aware of neighbours that may be negatively impacted to exposure of smoke from outdoor fire pits.
  • Before using your fire pit, familiarize yourself with optimal wind conditions and take precautions to prevent smoke from disturbing your neighbours.
    • High wind speeds may pose a fire hazard.
    • Low wind speeds may contribute to poor air quality and reduce smoke dissipation.
    • Placing a metal grill/screen on top of the fire pit reduces the flame's size and helps prevent sparks and embers from escaping and igniting nearby materials.
    Fines for violations of these regulations range between $250 and $2000.
• Lost & Found

• Found items brought to the Town of Canmore are kept for a minimum of 30 days. Unclaimed items are donated to charity organizations to be auctioned. Please check local newspapers for auction times and locations.

  If you have lost an item please call Bylaw Services at (403) 678-4244 daily between 7:30am-6:00pm to file a report. You may also email us with your lost report or download it for printing.

    pdf Lost Property Claim Form (37 KB)

• Lost & Found Pets

• If you lost your pet, your lost pet may have been picked up by Bylaw Services. Call 403.678.4244 as soon as you notice your pet is missing. We have staff working 7 days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. We will need your name, contact details, and your pet’s name and description, as well as any other information you think might be helpful. If you call after hours please leave a message and we will return your call first thing in the morning.

  If your pet is wearing its license tag, we will attempt to contact you so that we can get it home to you as soon as possible. You may need to pay an impound fee before you can pick up your pet. Pets spending time in our animal shelter are well cared for. They have fresh water, food and shelter, and are checked on regularly. If a pet is not claimed after 72 hours it becomes available for adoption. Adoptions are handled by the Bow Valley SPCA. Call 403.609.2022 for more information.

  If you found a pet…you 

  You may try and find the owner by doing a pet owner search using the tag number or tattoo.

  If you are not successful with the pet owner search tool above, you can notify Bylaw Services between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day at 403.678.4244 and we will arrange a time to pick up the pet. If the pet is wearing a license tag, please give us the number from the tag.

  When the Bylaw Services office is closed please leave a message and we will return your call first thing in the morning.

• Noise Control Bylaw

• pdf Noise Control Bylaw 1997-11 (251 KB)
  
  The purpose of the Town of Canmore’s Noise Control Bylaw is to prohibit, eliminate or abate noise within the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw. However, if you would like more detail please refer to the actual Noise Control Bylaw 11-1997 . Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  • "Noise means any sound which either annoys or disturbs Persons, or which injures, endangers or detracts from the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of Persons within the boundaries of the Town of Canmore."
  • Construction noise is permitted between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm Monday to Saturday and is prohibited Sundays and holidays. All construction occurring on Sundays and holidays requires written approval by the Town of Canmore. A Request for Permission to Work form can be obtained at the Civic Centre or by clicking pdf here (112 KB)
  • We do not have a decibel specification in our bylaw. We will always refer back to the definition of Noise for enforcement purposes.
  • Noise complaints occurring outside of our business hours (7:30am-6:00pm) should be directed to the RCMP by calling (403) 678-5516.
• Parking Tickets

• Parking tickets must be paid within 14 days. Failure to pay will result in prosecution in the Provincial Court of Alberta.

  How to Pay:

  By Mail: You may send a cheque to the Town of Canmore to: Town of Canmore 902 7th Avenue Canmore Alberta T1W 3K1

  Please include your ticket number on the cheque. Post dated cheques must be dated no later than the due date and must be postmarked on or before the due date.

  In Person: Cash, Cheque and Debit are accepted at:
  Town of Canmore Civic Centre
  902 7th Avenue
  Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm

  Drop Box: You may drop a sealed envelope with your payment and ticket number at:
  Town of Canmore Civic Centre
  902 7th Avenue
  Accessible 24 hours per day

  Appeals:
  If you wish to appeal a Canmore violation ticket you may fill out the Appeal form either online or in person. Forms are also available at the Civic Centre Front desk. Appeals must be received within 14 days from the issue date of the ticket.

• Smoking Regulations

• pdf Smoking Control Bylaw 2010-19 (184 KB)
  
  Smoking is regulated under the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Act and the Municipal Smoking Control Bylaw 19-2010. This page will provide an overview of these regulations, but please refer to the actual legislation for more detailed information. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  • Smoking is prohibited in public places and workplaces in Alberta.
  • Smoking is prohibited within 5 meters of a doorway, window or air intake of public places in Alberta.
  • Smoking is prohibited in hotels, inns, guesthouses, hostels and bed and break fast facilities in Canmore*.
  • Managers of hotels must not permit smoking by guests in hotel rooms in Canmore.
• Snow Removal

• pdf Traffic and Road Use Bylaw 2014-06 (444 KB)
  
  The Town of Canmore’s Traffic and Road Use Bylaw (section 17) controls the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however if you would like more detail, please refer to the actual Traffic and Road Use Bylaw 2014-06. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  • The owner and/or occupant of the land is responsible for clearing ice and snow from the sidewalks adjacent to the property.
  • Snow and ice must be removed from the sidewalk within 48 hours of the last snow fall.
  • Removal of snow and ice means the removal of ALL snow and ice, down to the bare concrete.
  • Snow removed from sidewalks cannot be deposited onto the street or impede any storm sewer grate or fire hydrant.
  • If snow and ice are not removed within 48 hours the Town may clear it at the property owner’s expense.
• Taxi Bylaw

•   pdf Taxi Bylaw 2010-13 (220 KB)
  
  The Town of Canmore’s Taxi Bylaw controls Taxis and Taxi Businesses within the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however if you would like more detail, please refer to the actual Taxi Bylaw 13-2010. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  • Every Taxi business must have a Brokers licence.
  • Every taxi cab driver must hold a valid Taxi cab driver’s licence.
  • Taxi cabs must be inspected every 12 months by a licensed mechanic.
  • While operating a Taxi cab, every Taxi cab driver shall:
    • Display their taxi cab drivers licence,
    • Neither permit or allow smoking in the taxi cab,
    • Not transport a greater number of passengers than there are seat belts, and
    • Upon request, issue a receipt for the fare.

  What is required to obtain a Canmore taxi cab driver's licence?

  • Valid Class 4 Alberta Driver's Licence
  • Submit a Criminal Record and Vulnerbale Sector Check
  • Have no criminal code convictions 5 years preceeding the date of application
  • Have no criminal charges outstanding before the courts

  You can download the Taxi Cab Driver's License Application Form in PDF format.

• Traffic & Road Use

• pdf Traffic and Road Use Bylaw 2014-06 (444 KB)
  
  The Town of Canmore’s Traffic and Road Use Bylaw regulates traffic, parking, streets and sidewalks within the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however if you would like more detail, please refer to the actual Traffic and Road Use Bylaw 2014-06. Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  Sidewalks

  • No person over the age of 12 shall ride a bicycle, roller skate, in-line skate, skateboard or ride a scooter on a sidewalk unless a sign permits it, or a person (i.e. a parent) is accompanying the child.
  • Cycling is not permitted on sidewalks on Main Street.
  • Do no place cords, hoses or any other obstructions across a sidewalk or street.
  • Keep hedges, shrubs and trees trimmed so they do not overhang or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
  • Snow and ice must be removed down to the bare pavement within 48 hours of it being deposited.

  Parking of Recreational Vehicles and Trailers

  • RV's are not permitted on the street between midnight and 8 a.m. unless is parked on the street immediately adjoining the owner or operator's place of residence.
  • The maximum amount of time it can be parked as described above is for 36 hours and it has not been parked here at any time in the preceding 48 hours.
  • The intent of these restrictions is to permit loading/unloading and cleaning.
  • Trailers must be attached to vehicles at all times.
  • Please be respectful of your neighbourhood and don’t block driveways or create traffic obstructions.

  Idling

  • Vehicles are not allowed to idle for longer than 5 minutes.

  Parking

  • Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 72 hours or they are considered to be abandoned and may be towed.
  • Buses and vehicles weighing more than 4,500Kgs cannot park on any residential street.
  • Vehicles leaking fluid onto the street may be towed away at the expense of the owner.

  Obstruction

  • Do no place cords, hoses or any other obstructions across a sidewalk or street.
  • Do not dispose of anything into a sewer, manhole or catch basin.
  • Keep hedges, shrubs and trees trimmed so they do not overhang or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
• Waste Control Bylaw

• Waste Control Bylaw 09-2001 Consolidated 2016
  
  The Town of Canmore’s Waste Control Bylaw regulates the collection and disposal of waste within the Town. This page will provide you with a brief overview of the Town’s bylaw, however, if you would like more detail, please refer to the actual Waste Control Bylaw . Original copies of the bylaw are available by contacting the Municipal Clerk.

  What is the law?

  • Waste from residential and commercial units must be placed into an Animal Proof Waste container.
  • Cardboard, construction waste, animal carcasses, furniture, auto parts, tree limbs, etc. are not to be placed in or beside Bear bins.
  • Do not allow any recycling container to remain uncovered or open.
  • Waste cannot accumulate on your property.
  • Waste cannot be burned or buried in Town.
  • Residents placing appliances outside a locked shed/garage are to remove any doors with a latching mechanism or ensure it is securely locked  

• UAV/Drones

• UAVs, or drones, are subject to The Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft. The laws prohibit the operations within 30 m of vehicles or people (75m for drones/UAV's over 1kg), or within 1.8 km of a helicopter aerodrome (used specifically for helicopters only, or 5.5km for an airport), or 90 m above the ground. For a full list please visit the Transport Canada Site. 
  
  UAV operation must be done in a safe manner and follow all Federal Aviation Regulations. Before considering operation please visit the Transport Canada Drone Safety Website and read the following sections:
  
  • Getting permission to fly your drone
  • Flying your drone legally and safely
  • No Drone Zones 

  UAVs also may not be operated in parks as stated in the section 7.5 (g) of the Town of Canmore Parks Bylaw. This includes and is not limited public parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, courts, recreation facilities, parking lots, municipal reserve lands, pathways and trail systems, and joint use school grounds. 

  For further inquiries, please contact Michael Orr with Bylaw Services.