Municipal Enforcement

Responsibilities

Municipal Enforcement is responsible for enforcing bylaws, to protect people and property and to preserve and maintain the public peace. The Town of Nanton Peace Officers key responsibilities include: 

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• Ensure public compliance with various town bylaws
• Provide information and interpretation of Municipal Bylaw and Provincial Statue requirements to town residents
• Administer town bylaws
• Support and promote the mission, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of the Town of Nanton
• Education by awareness campaigns
• Assist in public safety programs 
• Deal with complaints and inquiries
• Prepare all necessary documents for prosecution of offenders including summons, subpoenas, witness statements, and court briefs

Complaints CAN be resolved amicably between neighbours.  Taking disputes to the 'next level' can harm that long term relationship permanently, so should be weighed carefully.   It is recommended that neighbours first attempt to reasonably and respectfully resolve their issues before contacting Municipal Enforcement for assistance (if there is a legitimate bylaw complaint to be made).   The Town does NOT get involved in private civil disputes and its bylaws are not there to facilitate the frivolous and vexatious pursuit of personal grievances.

We ask that all residents are responsible pet owners for safety reasons. This includes picking up waste, and maintaining control over your animal in public. If you see someone who is not pick up after their dog, please call 403-601-3639 or e-mail bylaw@nanton.ca.

• Animal Control Bylaw
• Dog license application and fees   There is a limit of 3 dogs per household in Town.  If you are a dog breeder, please consult the bylaw carefully or make an inquiry to the Town Office before initiating activities - you are still limited to 3 dogs over the age of 3 months in most cases.
• The Nanton Animal Protection Society is a separate incorporated not for profit organization in town that is primarily a shelter and adoption program for stray and feral cats.
• Other rescue organizations in the region that deal with dogs and cats include Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue - Foothills, AB (High River) and Home | Claresholm CAReS  (Claresholm).
• The Town does not operate a shelter or pound for dogs.
• Cats are subject to the Animal Control Bylaw but are not presently under any mandatory licensing or registration system.

The Community Bylaw regulations cover a wide range of rules and prohibitions in the interest of fostering a safe and relatively harmonious community.  The main topics that Municipal Enforcement typically deal with under this bylaw are:

• Unsightly premises
• Noise
• General nuisance

There have been two amendments to this bylaw since 2018:

• Excessive Protective Elements (regulations around the use of surveillance technology)
• Panhandling, loitering and illegal camping (further enhancement of regulations around trespass and nuisance on public property)

Depending on the offence, the Town has fairly powerful enforcement tools under this bylaw, including remedial action orders. 

• 1299 Community Bylaw (consolidated, 2025)
• 1327 Nanton Traffic Bylaw
• 1341 Chickens Bylaw
• 1342 Beekeeping Bylaw
• 1378 Animal Control Bylaw

Complainant information is considered as confidential and will not be released to the person whose property is under complaint, unless under an order made by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.  

The Town may request or require a complainant to act as a witness, should a case be required to be settled in court. This is usually done as a last resort, should the Town case be weak or should bylaw enforcement be unable to determine that a violation has occurred without the evidence of the complainant.  A complainant would normally be informed of this requirement at the time of the initial complaint or during the investigative process.

The Town has complete discretion when it comes to acting on complaints.  After investigation, a decision may be taken to proceed or not proceed with further action.  

Throughout the year, our officers visit schools, senior lodges, and other community groups to educate on various subjects including: 

• Bicycle Safety
• Community Pride
• Driving Safety
• Halloween Safety
• Community Clean Up
• School Bus Safety

If you would like to see a presentation, please contact Municipal Enforcement.

Municipal Enforcement is responsible to administer the Municipal Government Act Regulations for the disposal of lost property. This means if you have lost or misplaced items such as your wallet, cell phone and/or bicycle please contact Municipal Enforcement .

Peace officers, under the Peace Officer Act of Alberta, are currently appointed to enforce the following provincial acts: 

• Traffic Safety Act
• The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act
• The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
• The Dangerous Dogs Act
• The Animal Protection Act
• The Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act
• The Trespass to Premises Act
• The Provincial Offences Procedure Act
• The Petty Trespass Act
• Service Dogs Act

For more information on these acts please visit the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website.

• RCMP Property Protection
• RCMP Business Security