TAMRMS#: B06
8.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Bylaw 24/2026 - Community Standards Bylaw Amendments - Snow Removal
Presented by: Aaron Giesbrecht, Director, Policing Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That Bylaw 24/2026, being amendment #5 to Community Standards Bylaw 12/2010, be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 24/2026 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 24/2026.
4. That Bylaw 24/2026 be read a third time.
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SUMMARY
On April 7, 2026 Council directed Administration to prepare amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw that would add clarity to property owner sidewalk snow and ice removal requirements.
Attached for Council’s consideration is an amending bylaw that addresses Council’s request while continuing to ensure that the provisions are reasonable for a winter City and enforceable.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On April 7, 2026 Council passed the following motion:
CM-26-012
That Administration prepare amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw for Council’s consideration on or before October 20, 2026 regarding the following:
• Requiring residents to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours of a snowfall event or ice formation, or apply traction material when ice removal is not possible;
• Adding clarification regarding what snow and ice accumulation means; and
• Clarifying the conditions under which snow may be removed from sidewalks and placed onto adjacent roadways.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Private property owner/occupant requirements related to snow and ice control on sidewalks are governed and outlined in section 6 of the Community Standards Bylaw 12/2010.
It is important to note that the standards, requirements and prohibitions contained within the Community Standards Bylaw do not apply to City operations. Snow and Ice removal on City maintained sidewalks and trails are governed by Council Policy C-IS-01 (Snow and Ice Control) and section E.2.1 (Snow Removal) of the Service Level Inventory.
In the 2025/2026 winter season there were 271 complaints received by Municipal Enforcement for dangerous sidewalk condition violations. Of these complaints, four property owners failed to comply with a notice to remedy the condition. Overall, only one ticket was required to be issued to gain compliance, and there were no instances where the City had to remove the dangerous condition and charge the expenses back to the property owner.
The recommended amending bylaw 24/2026:
- ensures that property owners are required to clear any dangerous condition caused by snow or ice on a sidewalk adjoining or adjacent to the land they own or occupy within 48 hours when the dangerous condition was formed;
- ensures that any slippery ice formation, uneven or rutted packed snow or a snow depth (loose or packed) greater than 5cm will be considered a “dangerous condition” and must be removed within 48 hours;
- outlines the circumstances when a Peace Officer can use discretion that would allow a property owner to remove a dangerous condition caused by snow or ice by leveling uneven surfaces and applying appropriate traction material; and
- adds clarity surrounding when snow or ice from a sidewalk may be placed on a roadway to ensure that it does not create a dangerous roadway condition, obstruction or interfere with the use of the roadway.
Besides some more detailed and legal clarity, the amending bylaw 24/2026 essentially makes two main modifications to the current standards, which are:
1. Sets 5 cm of loose or packed snow on a sidewalk as the maximum amount permitted before it is considered a dangerous condition and must be removed within 48 hrs. This is a change from the current 30 cm maximum.
2. Sets that any uneven or rutted packed snow on a sidewalk is considered a dangerous condition and must be removed within 48 hrs. This is a change from the current standard that says the snow must be significantly uneven.
Combined, Administration believes that the new provisions:
- set reasonable standards for sidewalk snow and ice removal in a winter city,
- allow officers to act upon complaints and enforce the requirements, and
- provides property owners with clarity on what is required to ensure compliance with the Bylaw.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Administration does not believe that the recommended bylaw is a significant change from the current requirements or enforcement practices. As a result, Administration’s planned activity for public communications will be focused on the continued and ongoing seasonal messaging on the requirements for sidewalk snow removal when the winter conditions call for increased public awareness and reminders, such as but not limited to heavy snowfalls, freezing rain and during thaw/freeze cycles.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The changes recommended are not believed to have a significant impact on any program or service as it is mostly aligned with current enforcement practices. There may be a positive impact in terms of increased compliance with the bylaw through increased understanding of the requirements from residents.
Organizational:
Administration does not anticipate any significant organizational impacts coming from the recommendation. Having said that, by amending section 6(2)(b) from 30 cm to a 5 cm threshold and removing the word “significant” from section 6(2)(c), it may increase the number of violations and notices that enforcement officers will have to issue to residents which has potential to create increased demand for enforcement services should voluntary compliance not be observed.
Risks
Although the Community Standards Bylaw does not apply to Public Operations, the amendments may be viewed by some residents as exceeding the City’s own standards for sidewalk snow removal on City maintained sidewalks and trails.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
F.2.3 Municipal Enforcement - Responding to public complaints and enforcing select municipal bylaws and provincial statutes. This includes, but is not limited to, community standards enforcement, animal control, parking enforcement, as well as the Traffic Safety Act and portions of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, Administration presents the following alternatives for Council’s consideration.
ALTERNATIVE 1:
Administration has provided an alternative bylaw in attachment 3 titled Community Standards Amending Bylaw 25/2026 - Alternative 1, should Council wish to further increase the standards and requirements related to snow and ice removal from sidewalks.
This alternative bylaw has been drafted in a manner that is more in line with other municipalities that require property owners to remove all snow and ice that is formed on a sidewalk within 48 hours.
The following motions could be used to approve the alternative bylaw:
1. That Bylaw 25/2026, being amendment #5 to Community Standards Bylaw 12/2010, be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 25/2026 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 25/2026.
4. That Bylaw 25/2026 be read a third time.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The changes contained within the alternative bylaw would increase the requirements on residents to ensure that all snow and ice is removed from a sidewalk. This may have a positive impact in terms of pedestrian winter accessibility on sidewalks.
Organizational:
The increased requirements contained in the alternative bylaw will likely increase the public demand and expectations of the municipal enforcement officers to ensure bylaw compliance. This may result in future requests to Council for increased resources should the demand exceed the current capacity.
In addition, a new public communications plan would be required to ensure that property owners are aware of the increased snow and ice removal standards.
Risks
Although the Community Standards Bylaw does not apply to Public Operations, the amendments in the alternative Bylaw will exceed the City’s own standards for sidewalk snow removal on City maintained sidewalks and trails.
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Report Date: November 3, 2026
Author(s): Aaron Giesbrecht
Department: Policing Services
Department Director: Aaron Giesbrecht
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher