Sylvan Lake

Bylaws are local laws passed by Council.

The power for Council to pass bylaws is granted by the Province of Alberta through the Municipal Government Act.

Bylaws are created and enforced to maintain the health, safety and wellness of our community.

Town of Sylvan Lake Bylaws apply to people, places, and things within town limits. Each bylaw provides a statement of who it applies to. Failure to follow bylaws may result in penalties through a Municipal Enforcement Officer. Penalties are specified in the bylaw to which it applies.

Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, bylaws require three separate readings before they are passed and become effective.

First Reading: Council reviews the bylaw to see if they wish to consider the issue. Even though a bylaw passes First Reading, it does not necessarily mean that Council is in support.

Second Reading: Council can debate the issue, make changes to the proposed bylaw, and vote. During this vote, Council is voting on whether or not they are in support of the proposed bylaw.

Third Reading: This is the last chance for Council to debate the issue and make changes to the proposed bylaw. Once the bylaw has passed Third Reading, it is fully signed and sealed by the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer. This gives full effect to the bylaw.

The bylaw will remain in effect until changes are required, or the bylaw is repealed and replaced by a new one.

Not all bylaws require public hearings. The requirement of public advertising for a proposed bylaw is outlined in Section 606 of the Municipal Government Act.

First Reading can take place before public advertising but Second and Third Readings cannot take place until the public has been notified of Council’s intention to pass the proposed bylaw.