In this section

Municipal Enforcement 

The Municipal Enforcement department works to preserve community safety and peace by patrolling, enforcing laws, and responding to complaints. Municipal Enforcement Officers work in collaboration with the RCMP.

Municipal Enforcement duties: 

  • Enhancing, preserving, and maintaining public peace
  • Municipal and Provincial Traffic Enforcement
  • Animal Services
  • Parking Compliance
  • Community Standards
  • Vehicle For Hire Registry and Regulation

The Municipal Enforcement department has:  

  • Community Peace Officers: enforce municipal bylaws and some provincial laws 
  • Bylaw officers: enforce municipal bylaws 

The RCMP enforce the full criminal code, but are not part of the Municipal Enforcement department.

For emergencies, dial 911

Municipal enforcement concerns:

  • Complaints are responded to from most to least urgent 
  • Response times vary based on availability of officers at the time of the call

Step One: Filing A Complaint

  • Provide as much information as possible by filing an online complaint or by calling in
  • A file is created
  • Urgency is assigned and the file is assigned to an officer
  • While we will listen to anonymous complaints, we may not be able to investigate or follow up due to lack of information

Step Two: Review & Prioritization

  • The officer receives and reviews the file
  • Connect with you to start the resolution process

Step Three: Follow-Up

  • The officer may request additional information
    • Written statement
    • Noise or bark log
    • Photos or videos
  • You may be asked to testify in court as a witness
  • If you do not wish to provide more information or testify, corrective actions may be limited

Step Four: Resolution Process

  • The Officer closes the file
  • They let you know of any actions or enforcements taken and the final resolution

  • Educate residents about bylaws
  • Give an opportunity to comply
  • Ask for compliance by a certain date
  • Give a warning
  • Give a ticket

Bylaw

What is the speed limit when it isn't posted?

  • 40 km/hr, unless otherwise posted


Can my water spout land on my neighbors lawn?

  • No, your sump pump or eavestrough downspout must empty on your own property


Do we have a noise bylaw?

How long does it take before a vehicle considered abandoned?


Is my neighbor free to park in front of my house?


How far from a stop sign or crosswalk can you park?

RVs, ATVs, Scooters, Trailers

How long can I have my RV in front of my house?

  • 72 hours for motorhomes/trailers, as outlined in the Traffic Safety Bylaw
  • A trailer it must be attached to a vehicle
  • November 1 - April 30: residents must park their recreational vehicles, including tent trailers, holiday trailers, fifth wheels, watercrafts on trailers, and motorhomes, at the back of their property or store an offsite location. RVs may not be parked on the street
  • May 1 - October 31: RV parking allowed in driveways
  • Utility trailers: Enclosed or unenclosed trailers may remain parked on the front or side yard parking areas, as long as they are parked on an approved hard surface and are attached to a tow vehicle


Can I drive my side by side or skidoo in town?


Can I ride my ebike on parks paths?

Can I ride my ebike or power scooter after drinking instead of driving?

  • No. You may get an impaired charge


Can I ride my power scooter on the path?

Smoking

Where can I smoke marijuana?

Snow removal

How long before I have to shovel my walk?

I'm out of space, can I shovel snow onto the street?

Beach

Can I use an open flamed BBQ on the beach?

  • No, charcoal or other open flame is not permitted. You may use propane or other fuel cannisters.


Can I drink down at the beach?

  • No. You may get a fine for open liquor or public intoxication

Can I smoke hooka, cannabis, or tobacco at the beach?

  • No. You may get a fine for smoking in the park outside designated smoking areas. Look for signage


Is there a lifeguard on duty?

  • No. The beach and lake are not monitored. Beach and lake users are responsible for their own safety

How do I book a picnic shelter?

  • You may book a picnic shelter or other park amenities here. When you arrive to your booking, you must display your receipt clearly while you are present

Can I play music on the beach?

  • Music is permitted but must be kept at respectful levels. Please be kind and considerate to your beach neighbours and the surrounding community. You may get a fine for excessive noise

Who do I call for complaints in the summer villages?

  • Summer villages (Birchcliff, Half Moon Bay, Jarvis Bay, Norglenwold, Sunbreaker Cove)
  • 403 887 2822

The Town of Sylvan Lake is authorized by the Alberta Solicitor General as an employer of Community Peace Officers. 

Did you know that 700,000 students commute to school everyday in Alberta? Take some extra care as drive around schools:

  • Watch out around buses
  • Drive without distractions
  • School zones: 30 km/hr, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Playground zones: 30 km/hr, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM School and playground zones end where a sign shows:
    • A higher maximum speed limit
    • The end of a school zone

Scams

Fine Scam

Residents are receiving text messages saying that they owe a fine payment.

  • Never give payment of any kind before confirming the communication or message you received is actually from the town of Sylvan Lake
  • You can confirm if our communication is from the town by calling us directly at 403 858 7280

Scam messages look something like this: 

You can confirm if any payment request or communication is and authentic message from the Town by calling us directly at 403 887 2141.

  1. Call the RCMP immediately at 403 858 7200
  2. Here is a helpful link to the Edmonton RCMP service about what to do when you're a victim

Animal Services

Animal services are managed in-house through our Municipal Enforcement Department. 

Call 911 for dangerous animals when:

  • An animal is threatening public safety
  • poses as a danger that needs immediate action

For lost animals or animal related complaints:

 

  • No
  • Dogs may not be on the sand or grass at the beach
  • Dogs are only allowed on paved paths at the beach

Download our simplified brochures to learn about:

Animal limits per property:

  • 3 dogs and 3 cats

The fine for an unlicensed dog or cat is:

  • $130 (first offence)
  • $260 (second offence)
  • $390 (third and continuing offences)

Bylaw

Cats and dogs require a license. Licenses are effective between January 1, and December 31 of the current year. Owners must renew annually. Your license is your pet's ticket home should they become lost.

License details:

  • Pet tags are issued on receipt of your annual payment
  • Renewal notices are sent in January every year
  • Contact us within 15 days if
    • You move
    • You rehome or you no longer have your pet
    • Your pet passes away
  • Licenses are non transferable
  • Each animal needs it's own license

Information needed for each animal to get a license:

  • Name, address, and phone number of owner
  • Name, breed, and colour (description) of dog/cat
  • Any tattoo or microchip information
  • Proof of neuter/spay (for new license registration only)

The fine for an unlicensed dog or cat is:

  • $130 (first offence)
  • $260 (second offence)
  • $390 (third and continuing offences)

Cat License Fees

  • $30.00/year: altered, spay/neuter certificate required
  • $60.00/year: unaltered

Dog License Fees

  • $30.00/year: altered, spay/neuter certificate required
  • $60.00/year: unaltered

Did you lose your tags?

  • Replacement tags are available at the Municipal Government Building for $15

Get your license

  1. Fill out our Animal License Form, or
  2. Visit us in person at the Municipal Government Building, 5012 48 Avenue

Stray pets are kept in under our supervision until we can transfer them to the Central Alberta Humane Society for re-homing.

Reporting lost or found pets

  1. Call 403 858 7280
  2. Follow @SLAnimalServices on Facebook for updates

Sylvan Lake has one off leash dog park:

Stray cats causing damage or grief? We offer cat traps:

  1. Agreement: Fill out a user agreement and receive a trap
  2. Deposit: Pay a $75 refundable deposit plus non-refundable Option Pay fees
  3. Find out more or pick up a trap: 403 858 7280 or visit us at 4260 50 Street

Are animals allowed to wander on their own?

  • No
  • Animals away from home must be with their owner at all times on a leash
  • Animals must be secured at home, either on a leash or inside a fenced yard

Can I bring my dog to the beach?

  • No
  • Dogs may not be on the sand or grass at the beach
  • Dogs are only allowed on paved paths at the beach

Can I leave my animal in my vehicle?

  • No
  • You cannot leave any animal, at any time, unattended in a vehicle
  • This offence carries a $227 fine

Who do I call when I pick up a lost dog?

  • Municipal Enforcement, 403 858 7280

Who do I call for lost and found pets in the summer villages?

  • Summer villages (Birchcliff, Half Moon Bay, Jarvis Bay, Norglenwold, Sunbreaker Cove)

The Medicine River Wildlife Centre can help with:

  • Injured, orphaned or compromised wild animals, such as migratory birds, deer, fox, moose, coyotes, and everything in between
  • Information about our wild neighbours

Report any rat sightings to 310 RATS (7287).

There are many invasive animals and plants. These can damage our environment including the lake and our fishing tourism industry. 

RCMP

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provides police services under separate contracts with 43 municipalities, across Alberta, with a population over 5,000, including Sylvan Lake. About 10% of the Town of Sylvan Lake's annual operating budget is allocated to RCMP services. 

The Sylvan Lake detachment protects:

  • Sylvan Lake, Benalto, Bentley, Birchcliff, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Honeymoon Bay, Jarvis Bay Provincial Park, Norglenwold, Sunbreaker Cove

Contact

The Sylvan Lake Crime Map shows the locations of various types of crimes reported throughout the community. Not all crimes are reported, and while the RCMP make every effort to ensure accuracy and timely updates, delays, inaccuracies, and omissions may occur.

If you have information on any crime, please call:

Have you been in an accident? Failure to report an accident could result in charges.

You must report to the RCMP if:

  • Damages are over $5,000.00 (combined) and/or
  • It is a hit and run and/or
  • There are injuries

How to report in person

Please bring to the nearest detachment:

  • Your driver’s licence
  • Your registration and insurance for your vehicle that was involved in the accident
  • Your completed reporting form (If you do not have the form, you may complete it at any detachment)

    • It's a good idea to print one out and keep it handy in your glovebox in case of an accident
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