Gabriola LTC Compliance and Bylaw Enforcement Policy

Extracted text (beginning)

1 
 
 
Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Bylaw Compliance & Enforcement 
Policy 
Bylaw Compliance & Enforcement Policy No. 1, effective November 7, 2024. 
Version No. 1 
Purpose  
To establish policies and procedures for bylaw compliance and enforcement in the Gabriola Island Local 
Trust Area in accordance with the adopted Trust Council Policies contained in Policy 5.5.1., and that are 
within the authority of the Local Trust Committee to enforce, and that will ensure polices and 
procedures are efficient, transparent, reasonable, and consistent with local community standards.  
 
PART A 
1.0 Application  
This policy will apply to the Gabriola Island Local Trust Area and the enforcement of all 
applicable regulatory bylaws. 
2.0 Definitions & Abbreviations  
BEN – bylaw enforcement notice 
LUB – Land Use Bylaw 
LTC – Local Trust Committee 
Minor structure – any structure that does not require a building permit, and that is not located in 
a development permit area or located within any other environmentally sensitive area 
Respondent – a property owner whose property is subject to a bylaw enforcement complaint  
Health & Safety concerns – fire, unsafe construction, hazards relating to steep slopes or cliffs, 
dumping of sewage  
Vexatious - complaints that are made in bad faith or for retaliatory purposes or that are 
considered frivolous, may be considered vexatious; or repeated complaints that form a part of a 
pattern of conduct by the complainant that amounts to an abuse of the complaint process  
3.0 References 
Gabriola Island Land Use Bylaw No. 177 
Mudge Island Land Use Bylaw No. 228 
Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Bylaw Enforcement Notification Bylaw No. 263 

2 
 
 
4.0 Priorities 
4.1 Enforcement on short-term vacation rentals is a priority and proactive enforcement is 
authorized. 
4.2 Enforcement on non-compliant dwellings will be deferred unless there are 
contraventions in development permit areas; or other environmentally sensitive areas;  
or there are concerns about health and safety; or the lack of an approved septic system; 
or if it is determined that there is contamination of wells or other drinking sources. 
4.3 Enforcement on limited public markets will be deferred when they are operated indoors 
contrary to section B.6.2 of the LUB. Operators will be provided with information 
regarding the applicable land use regulations.  
 
5.0 Inspection 
5.1 At the start of any investigation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers will determine if entry to 
the property is necessary to investigate the alleged contravention or if the investigation 
can be conducted from a public road or other lands. 
5.2 Bylaw Enforcement Officers will give 30 days notice for inspection of any property 
unless there is consent for a site inspection at less than 30 days.  
5.3 Investigations into health and safety issues and matters that may cause adverse 
environmental impact and result in irreversible damage are a priority and may be 
investigated 

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.