Bylaw Information
There are a number of City of Red Deer bylaws that affect or impact downtown businesses. We have added this section to the website as a resource for you. We do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this information and advise you to contact the Downtown Business Association at 403.340.8696 or The City of Red Deer's Inspection and Licensing Department 403.342.8190 for clarification or more information.
Occupancy Permit
All businesses and apartment buildings are required to have an Occupancy Permit.
Occupancy Permit Information Occupancy Permit Application
Special licenses and permits are required by some types of businesses and others are governed by specific bylaws. Business License Information
License Bylaw Drinking Establishment Licensing Bylaw Late Night Clubs Bylaw
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all public places and workplaces and within 5 metres of a doorway, opening window or other air intake. Smoke Free Bylaw
Sidewalk Maintenance
All persons owning premises in the downtown shall be responsible for the removal and clearing away of snow, ice, dirt and other obstructions from the adjoining sidewalk within 48 hours. Traffic Bylaw (section 82)
Community Standards
The Community Standards bylaw prohibits activities in order to prevent and compel the abatement of noise, nuisances, unsighly premises and public disturbances
Unsighly premises - No person being the owner, agent of the owner, lessee or occupier of any property within the City shall permit such property, or the activities upon such property to be or remain a nuisance or safety hazard. (Nuisance includes the definition "the failure to maintain a building, structure or fence such that it deteriorates, becomes unsightly or becomes a safety hazard".
Graffiti - No person shall place graffiti or cause it to be placed on any property. Every property owner shall ensure that graffiti placed on their premises is removed, painted over, or otherwise permanently blocked from public view. Likewise, flyers on vehicles, posters/stickers on light standards and furniture is not permitted.
Panhandling - Panhandling is prohibited i) between the hours of 6pm and 8am, ii) from any person in a motor vehicle, iii) from a person who has refused or declined the solicitation, iv) panhandlers may not obstruct the passage of, walk next to, or follow the person being solicited, v) within 10 meters of the entrance to a bank, financial institution or automated teller, or vi) within 10 meters of a bus stop or the transit terminal.
Littering, Spitting/Urinating, Fighting and Bullying - All are prohibited and subject to a fine penalty.
Waste Management
The City of Red Deer provides waste collection service to owners and occupants. All residential and commercial waste must be placed in bins or arrangements made for hand pick-up. Owners and occupants are not permitted to put waste in the City-owned public waste receptacles. This bylaw is currently under review. Contact Environmental Services at 403.342.8750 or 403.309.8553.
Land Use Bylaw
The Land Use Bylaw establishes the regulations of how land may be developed and use of public space (including sidewalks). There are a number of regulations that impact downtown businesses and many that require a permit. Contact Inspections & Licensing for clarification at 403.342.8190.
Use of Sidewalks
Signs - A-Board Signs - Subject to the following, A-board signs are permitted in the downtown and do not require a permit. A-board sign size may not exceed 0.61 metres wide by 0.92 metres high and not less than 0.30 metres wide by 0.61 metres high. A-board signs may only be placed on the sidewalk in front of the business being advertised and within 1.0 metre of the curb and as close to a parking meter as possible.
Display or Sale of Goods / Seating - Subject to the following, use of the sidewalk is permitted and does not require a permit. Use of the sidewalk in front of a business may not impede the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or use of a parking meter. A 3-foot wide passage is required.
Land Use Bylaw (section 3.22) Land Use Bylaw (section 5.7 (10)
Signs / Murals
Permits are not required for signs that are a fascia or canopy sign, attached to a building that states no more than the i) name or address of the building, ii) the name of the person or business/institutional occupant, iii) the activities carried on in the building, including hours of operation and rates charged, provided the total sign area does not exceed 1.5m2.
Permits are required for all other signs including murals (painted wall signs/supergraphics).
Land Use Bylaw (sections 3.3 and 3.4)
Development Permit Application Requirements Development Permit Application
