Noise and nuisance bylaws were amended at Tuesday’s council meeting to hold property owners responsible for the disturbances.
The owners will be responsible — regardless of whether the properties are rentals or owner-occupied — for activities that occur on their properties that “substantially and unreasonably interfere” with another person’s ability to enjoy their property or “activities which cause injury to health, comfort or convenience of an occupier of a real property.”
Two or more excessive nuisance infractions in a 24-hour period or in a one-year period will lead to a $250 fee.
After public consultation, it was determined that one rental unit in an apartment building or complex will be treated as a separate residence for the purposes of the bylaws.
“These amendments provide another tool to reduce noise and nuisance complaints that the Williams Lake RCMP must attend,” says Mayor Kerry Cook.
“We want to protect the right of all residents to safety, peace, and enjoyment of their neighbourhoods.”