The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is moving forward with a new bylaw aimed at dealing with neighbourhood disturbances more effectively.
The draft nuisance bylaw was passed by the municipality’s Policy and Strategy Committee and is now being sent to council for first reading. If adopted, it would give local authorities — including RCMP — the ability to issue tickets for certain disruptive behaviours.
Currently, RCMP can respond to noise complaints but don’t have the authority to ticket for them. The proposed bylaw would change that by allowing enforcement through summary offence tickets, with fines starting at $300 and rising to $1,000 for repeat violations. If the fine isn’t paid, a person could face up to 60 days in jail.
The bylaw defines a nuisance as any activity that unreasonably disturbs the peace of nearby residents. To proceed with enforcement, at least two people from separate properties would need to be affected.
However, several activities would be exempt from penalties. These include emergency response, farming, forestry, wood processing, and community events — as long as they’re conducted in a way that’s considered reasonable for the nature and timing of the activity.
Chief Administrative Officer Tom MacEwan said the bylaw is designed to balance the concerns of residents with the needs of local industries. “The bylaw gives the municipality a tool to address legitimate complaints without interfering with expected activity in rural areas,” he explained.
No new costs are expected, as enforcement will use existing resources. Staff say the bylaw supports council’s broader goal of improving quality of life and reducing avoidable conflict between neighbours.
Council first directed staff to develop the bylaw in early 2024. Since then, consultations have taken place with the Police Advisory Board and forestry stakeholders to shape the final proposal.
If council moves ahead with first reading, the bylaw will be advertised for public review ahead of a final vote.
