Property owners urged to maintain standards as enforcement tools examined

Prince Albert city council has directed administration to review and update the city’s Property Amenities Bylaw, signaling that property owners may face clearer rules and potentially stronger enforcement in the future.

The motion, introduced by Coun. Tony Head, during Monday’s meeting, calls for a review of Bylaw No. 27 of 2020 to ensure it reflects best practices and properly addresses ongoing concerns raised by residents across the city.

Head told the council that complaints related to property upkeep continue to surface in neighbourhoods and that certain areas of the bylaw may need clarification or strengthening.

“We deal with overgrown weeds quite a bit, boards on windows, abandoned buildings, the dilapidated ones, unoccupied buildings,” Head said.

He also pointed to issues involving junk vehicles, campers being used as dwellings, and situations where property conditions spill over and affect neighbours.

“What I don’t see is timelines,” Head said, suggesting that timelines for compliance periods and enforcement may need to be reviewed to make sure they work properly.

The Property Amenities Bylaw allows the city to order owners to fix conditions considered unsightly, unsafe, or not properly maintained to municipal standards. It covers concerns such as excessive yard growth, accumulation of debris, structural deterioration, and unsafe or boarded buildings.

While the motion does not change the bylaw immediately, it directs administration to conduct a full review and return to council with recommendations.

Ward 7 Coun. Dawn Kilmer said the timing of the review makes sense, particularly as enforcement roles and responsibilities continue to evolve at different levels of government.

“I think it’s really good timing,” Kilmer said.

Other members of the council indicated that property maintenance is a recurring issue brought forward by residents.

For property owners, the review serves as a reminder that maintaining properties in a safe and orderly condition is already required under existing rules. The bylaw applies to residential, commercial, and vacant properties throughout Prince Albert.

If administration recommends amendments, council could consider changes such as clearer definitions, adjusted compliance timelines, or updates to penalty provisions. Any proposed amendments would come forward at a future public meeting for debate and approval.

Head emphasized that the review is about ensuring the city has the right tools to respond to persistent concerns.

“There are some timelines to comply,” he said, adding that reviewing enforcement processes is part of maintaining neighbourhood standards.

Council voted in favour of the motion.

Administration will now review the current bylaw and may examine how other municipalities handle similar property maintenance issues before bringing recommendations back to council.

In the meantime, city officials continue to enforce the existing Property Amenities Bylaw, and property owners remain responsible for keeping their properties free of hazards, excessive growth, and structural neglect.

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