
Bylaw Services & Answers to Common Questions
Bylaw Services staff play an important role in our community by making sure everyone respects and obeys Town bylaws that are in place to maintain an excellent quality of life in High River.

In January 2022, the new High River Bylaw Services model is in effect. The Town's Bylaw Services Team will focus on proactive community enforcement and increased public engagement and education. We look forward to working with you.
The role of Bylaw Services is to enhance public safety, contributing to a high quality of life in High River. The Town's Bylaw Services team works out of the High River Fire department building. Please see the new 24/7 Bylaw Complaints Phoneline and General Administration numbers in the sidebar to the right. Residents are also encouraged to use the online Report a Concern form.
A list of common questions is below, with information we hope will help explain some of the bylaws in place in High River. By following the rules, you help to keep your neighbours and neighbourhoods safe and enjoyable for everyone.
When should you call Bylaw Services?
- Construction noise
- Parking complaints
- Snow removal
- Animal complaints
- Noise complaints within regular business hours
View more information about Bylaw Enforcement.
The Complaint Process
When you wish to file a bylaw concern, you can call the Municipal Enforcement 24-hour Complaint Line at 403.603.3643 and an officer will be dispatched to investigate your concern.
Please see the steps below to better understand the entire complaint and investigation process.
Step One: Initial Contact & Providing Information - When you call in a complaint, the dispatch centre will ask for your full name, date of birth, address, and a phone number where you can be reached. All personal information is kept strictly confidential. You will also be asked to provide details about what is occurring and where it is happening. It is important to provide accurate information so the investigating officer can best assist you.
Step Two: Assignment of Investigating Officer - Once the dispatch centre has collected the required information, a file is created and a Peace Officer is assigned to begin investigating your concern. The officer may need to contact you for additional information such as:
- Names of parties involved (if known)
- Date(s) and time(s) the occurrence(s) happened
- Specific address of the occurrence
- What you saw or heard
- Outcome you are hoping to achieve
- It is important to provide as much detail as possible about the matter. Investigation files remain open until the matter is concluded. Any actions taken will consider the outcome you are hoping to achieve, in conjunction with the enforcement discretion of the investigating officer.
Step Three: Follow Up - During the course of an investigation, you may be required to provide a written statement and/or testify in court as a witness. If you are not willing to take these actions, the officer may be limited with enforcement action. A charge may not be laid and the only course of action may be to give the offender(s) a warning.
Step Four: Completion of Investigation - At the conclusion of an investigation, the Peace Officer will inform you of any action or enforcement taken and the final outcome.
Steps to resolve the complaint can include:
- Educating the offender(s)
- Providing an opportunity for compliance
- Requesting compliance and setting a time frame to resolve the matter
- Issuing a warning
- Issuing a ticket with a voluntary fine amount
- Issuing a summons requiring appearance in court (the accused may still have the option to comply before going to court).
Answers to Common Bylaw Questions
What are the rules for parking a vehicle on a residential street?
Leaving a vehicle parked on the roadway for an extended period of time hinders road maintenance efforts by the Town or may cause neighbors to report the vehicle as abandoned.
The Alberta Traffic Safety Act defines an abandoned vehicle as one that has been parked on a roadway without moving for more than 72 hours.
Municipal Enforcement Officers attempt to contact the owner of the vehicle to provide them with the opportunity to move it; however, under certain circumstances, the vehicle could be deemed illegally parked and may be ticketed and/or towed.
While away on vacation, it is also recommended to park off street, but if this is not possible, leave a set of keys with a family member or a neighbor so they can move the vehicle if necessary.
We're here to help. For more information about on street parking, please contact the Municipal Enforcement Inquiry Line at 403.603.3643
Questions about recreational vehicles - storage, parking and definition
Can I store my recreation vehicle (trailer/motorhome/boat) in my front driveway?
- Yes, Parking in frontage is permitted between April 2 and October 29, provided that the RV must be at least 0.6 metres back from the interior edge of the municipal Sidewalk or curb if there is no municipal sidewalk, and no portion of a RV is permitted to protrude into the roadway.
Can I park my recreation vehicle (trailer/motorhome/boat) on the street?
- Yes, recreation vehicles may be parked on the street in a residential area for forty-eight (48) hours for the purpose of loading and unloading.
- Note that any trailer parked on the street must be attached to a vehicle at all times.
- The RV or trailer must not block, obstruct, impede, or hinder traffic or become a public safety hazard
- And RV or trailer must be parked directly adjacent to the owner’s property as shown in the records of the motor vehicle registry. No projections, slides, or attachments should be extended that inhibit the safe removal of the RV or trailer. This includes the use of cords, hoses, and/or hookups, except for temporary servicing.
What kinds of vehicles are considered recreation vehicle?
A “recreation vehicle” is a vehicle or trailer that is designed, constructed and equipped, either temporarily or permanently, as an accommodation for travel, vacation, or recreational use, whether licensed or unlicensed, and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Travel trailers/tent trailers
- Motorized homes & conversions
- Slide-in camper
- Chassis-mounted camper
- Boat
- All-terrain vehicle
- Snowmobile
- Utility trailer
Can I park in the back alley?
Parking in our back alleys is not allowed. Any vehicle (including trailers or other vehicles) are not allowed to park in any back alley or laneway.
Does my neighbour have to keep their grass cut and weeds pulled?
Yes, every owner or occupant of property must control all weeds and grass on the premises.
Do I have to shovel the snow off my sidewalk right away?
Yes, the owner or any other person in charge of the property shall remove as soon as possible, or within 24 hours, all snow, ice, dirt or debris and other obstructions from the public sidewalk adjoining the premises owned or occupied by them.
Be a good neighbour and make sure your people can walk safely after snowfalls. Think about helping others who can't maintain their sidewalks - check out our volunteer opportunities and be a snow angel for those in need!
What do I do if my property has been affected by graffiti?
If your property has graffiti you can contact Municipal Enforcement Services at 403.603.3643 or, contact the RCMP and have a Peace Officer attend to document the graffiti. They will take a report and photograph the graffiti.
Can you explain the Harmonized School and Playground Zone and Bus Safety?
Harmonized School and Playground Zone and Bus Safety
Our school population is growing rapidly and increased traffic surrounding schools can place children at risk. Please use caution and be alert when driving near buses and in school zones and be reminded of the following rules of the road:
- The speed limit in Harmonized School and Playground Zone in High River is (30) kilometres per hour twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week year round.
- Please know and obey the law to keep our kids safe!
- It is illegal to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle in a harmonized school and playground zone.
- Watch for alternating flashing amber lights, which means a school bus is slowing to stop and students will either be getting on or off the bus. Passing a school bus with amber lights flashing is a $465 fine.
- Slow down and stop when a school bus activates its alternately flashing red lights when you are approaching an oncoming bus or if you are following one. Passing a school bus with red lights flashing is a $543 fine and 6 demerit points.
- You may only proceed once the red lights on the bus have stopped flashing.
- Watch for school buses loading and unloading children, even if the lights aren’t flashing.
- Parking on or within 5 meters of a crosswalk, double parking, illegal u-turns, and failing to yield to pedestrians are becoming a significant concern - be on the lookout for children crossing the road!
- Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk can result in a $776 fine.
What are some tips to make sure pedestrians, cyclists motorcyclists are safe on our roads and intersections?
When warmer weather arrives, drivers will find they are sharing the road with more pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles, which are all vulnerable road users.
A greater level of vigilance and care is required by drivers to reduce injury or death that may occur during a collision with a vulnerable road user. Please be courteous and respect the distance required for these road users to travel on the highway safely.
- Pedestrians are considered vulnerable road users. Both pedestrians and motorists are responsible to abide by all signs, signals, and traffic laws to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
- Pedestrians should cross the road at designated crosswalks, make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street and be aware of any challenging road conditions that motorists may be experiencing.
- Motorists should be careful when approaching intersections. Watch for cars slowing in the lane next to yours because other drivers may be yielding to a pedestrian.
What should I do and who should I call about lost or stray dogs - or injured animals?
The Town of High River advocates for the safety and well-being of all animals, as it does its human residents.
- Any lost or found dogs can be reported to the Municipal Enforcement Complaint Line and an officer will be dispatched to assist in reuniting the animal with it's owner.
- All stray or injured animals are to be called into Room to Run at 403.652.5002.
- Bylaw Services plays an integral role in ensuring pet owners have emergency support services, dispute mediation, safe off-leash parks and reuniting lost pets. Non-pet owners are provided with professional dispute resolution support to promote community safety and responsible pet ownership.
- Note: The Town does not have a bylaw or program to assist with lost or found cats. Please use services such as pet locator groups on social media and follow advice provided by vets and rescue organizations.
What are the rules for pets in public?
Pets must always be on a leash and under control when outside their owner's or guardian's property, unless at an off-leash park (where control is still important!)
- Dogs Running at Large - A dog running at large does not constitute an emergency but can still be reported to the High River Bylaw Complaint Phone Line and, if an officer is readily available, a patrol will be made to try to locate the dog.
- Aggressive Dogs - If you witness or encounter an aggressive dog and believe a human or other animal may be harmed by the dog, this is considered an emergent situation and should be immediately reported to either the High River Bylaw Complaint Phone Line: 403-603-3643 or the RCMP at 403.652.2357.
Even the most adorable pets have their moments. Be responsible for your pets and help prevent pet safety issues. No animal can attack, threaten, harass, chase, bite or injure any person or other animal.
If any animal defecates on a property that is not the owner's property, the owner must remove the waste immediately. Double bag your animal waste and put it into a park garbage bin.
Picking Up After Your Dog/Pet Waste - Be a responsible dog owner and a good neighbour
Be a responsible dog owner and help keep your community clean by picking up after your dog!
If any animal defecates on a property that is not the owner's property, the owner must remove the waste immediately. Double bag your animal waste and put it into a park garbage bin.
Dog defecation causes an unsightly mess when left in open spaces, parks and along pathways and can also pose a health concern. Municipal Enforcement receives many complaints from concerned citizens regarding dog owners that simply walk away after their dog has defecated rather than stopping to clean up after their dogs.
- The Town provides dog bag dispensers and garbage receptacles along the pathways and in the parks for dog owners to use while walking their dogs; but, it is also a dog owner's responsibility to carry extra bags in case these dispensers happen to be empty.
- Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, the fine for not cleaning up your dog's defecation on public property is $150 for a first offense and $300 for subsequent offenses.
- Dog defecation causes an unsightly mess when left in open spaces, parks and along pathways and can also pose a health concern. Bylaw Services receives many complaints from concerned citizens regarding dog owners that simply walk away after their dog has defecated rather than stopping to clean up after their dogs.
What about the wild animals in and around Town?
Tips on living with wildlife:
- The picturesque Highwood River that flows through the centre of High River, and with that comes wildlife.
- Any animal in the region can pose a threat if they are surprised or if the encounter is not handled properly.
- For information about preventing and managing human encounters with wildlife, visit Alberta Environment and Parks.
- Sightings can be reported to our local Fish and Wildlife Office at 403.652.8330 or the 24/7 Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
We're here to help, contact us!
Fire Hall 1010 5th St SE High River, Alberta
Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
fire@highriver.ca
Fire Department: 403-652-3774
Bylaw Complaint Phoneline: 403-603-3643
General Inquiries and Administration: 403-603-3644
Maps
Contact the Fire Inspector - Stewart Corbett
fireinspections@highriver.ca
scorbett@highriver.ca
403-336-5903
Report a Concern Emergency Management Services Bylaw Services High River Fire & Protective Services