Common neighbourhood disputes and solutions.

AuthorWebber, Melanie

Neighbours Aren't Clearing Their Snow?

Snow and ice can make a beautiful winter, but can also create dangers in residential areas. Uncleared sidewalks and pathways are not only dangerous for people walking by your home, but are also challenging for people who deliver services in your city.

If you live in Edmonton and your neighbours fail to clear their snow, the first thing you should do is contact them. You may want to offer to help them keep their sidewalk clear and consider whether your neighbour has a limited ability to move the snow. If you cannot solve the dispute with your neighbour directly, record their address and a description of the problem to report to the City.

However, there are a few rules about reporting your snow concerns to the City that you should be aware of. Your neighbours have 48 hours after it has stopped snowing to clear their sidewalks and pathways. If the snowfall has not stopped for a full 48 hours, your complaint will not be accepted. In addition, your complaints will only be accepted between November 1 and May 1 of each year. If your complaint is received, and your neighbour still fails to clear their sidewalk or pathway, they may be fined $100.

Calgary bylaws set out a similar set of rules. Your neighbours are responsible for removing snow and ice from pathways and sidewalks near their property, but you should also consider addressing any problems with your neighbour directly and offer to help them remove snow. After the snowfall has stopped, your neighbours have 24 hours to clear their sidewalks and pathways before you can file a complaint. When a complaint is received, the City will notify your neighbour. They then have another 24 hours to clear the snow and ice. If they fail to do so, then the City may remove the snow and ice and charge the cost to your neighbour.

Noisy Neighbours?

This common problem can arise in a number of ways--someone has a dog that never quits barking, your neighbour hosts noisy parties, or uses a lawn mower at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. Luckily, both Calgary and Edmonton have bylaws that regulate noise that disturbs your peace or affects your health and safety.

If you live in Edmonton, first try discussing your concern about noise with your neighbour. If that does not resolve the situation, you can then contact the City to address the problem. Excessive noise is prohibited between 10 p.m and 7 a.m.

If you live in Calgary, excessive noise in residential areas is prohibited between 10 p.m...

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