Departments & Services

AdministrationFinanceEngineering, Public Works, and OperationsPlanning and Development ServicesAirportCemeteriesAnimal ControlBusiness LicensingHighway 16 Regional Transit ServiceBylaw Enforcement

Bylaw Enforcement

Home  /  Departments & Services  /  Bylaw Enforcement

General

Bylaw enforcement exists to provide regulations and to facilitate and enforce bylaws that pertain to the health, well-being, and structure of a community. Respecting the rights of our neighbours and ensuring that our property values are maintained is an important aspect of community living. At times, however, boundaries may be crossed and Bylaw Services Officers are given the task to investigate complaints received from the public about alleged violations of various municipal bylaws.

Our Bylaw Enforcement Officer receives complaints that have been reported to the Municipal Office, and investigate alleged violations of Municipal regulations outlined in our bylaws, including:

• Property Conditions (Unsightly or Dangerous Conditions
• Business Licensing and Zoning
• Animal Control and Licensing
• Nuisances
• Standards of Maintenance
• Open Burning and Woodstoves

Bylaw Enforcement is performed mostly on a complaint-based system in accordance with the District's Bylaw Enforcement Policy. In most cases, the District will seek voluntary compliance first before invoking various enforcement methods.

A list of typical regulatory enforcement bylaws can be viewed here.

How to Make a Complaint

Any person can make a complaint during regular business hours by calling the Municipal Office at 250-845-2238, emailing a complaint to doh@houston.ca, or submitting an in-person report to District staff.
To make a complaint you will need to submit:

• Your name, address, and contact information as the official complainant
• Your relationship to the property or person that is the center of the complaint
• The location and description of the issue

The above is the bare minimum information that is needed before the complaint can be submitted to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer for investigation. Additionally, complainants may be asked to provide more specific information depending on the nature of the complaint. It is at the discretion of the Bylaw Enforcement Officer whether or not a complaint needs to be investigated, and this will be decided in accordance with our Bylaw Enforcement Policy.