Take Action: Report By-Law Infractions!

Every day, my office receives many phone calls and E-Mails from residents with concerns about by-law infractions. The majority of concerns fall into two primary by-law groups:
- Zoning By-Laws: Regulate the use and development of land
- Neighbourhood Liveability By-Laws: Regulate the maintenance of properties and other aspects of neighbourhood liveability in order to develop and maintain safe, orderly, viable and sustainable communities; and promote and maintain the health, safety and welfare of residents.
If you observe a potential by-law infraction, please report it to Winnipeg’s 311 Service Centre – Phone 311 or E-mail 311@winnipeg.ca We highly recommend using e-mail as it is a more efficient use of time. Our City’s 311 Service Centre receives over 1.5 million enquiries every year, and callers often experience long wait times. E-mail takes only a couple minutes, and helps by documenting your concern for future reference.
- Did you know the #1 reason by-laws are not enforced is because they are not reported PROPERLY?
- Did you know the #2 reason by-laws are not enforced is because they are NOT REPORTED? The City’s system is ‘complaint based’, so you MUST take action by reporting a problem, and requesting service.
To help, the Fort Richmond-University Heights Neighbourhood Association has developed a comprehensive website – http://www.neighbourhoodassociation.ca/ – that aims to educate and inform ALL residents in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward on these issues.
Specifically, the website provides information on the seven most common by-law infractions, along with HOW to PROPERLY report them and the EXPECTED City of Winnipeg action once reported:
- Garbage and Fire Hazards
- Long Grass
- Loud Excessive Noise
- Multiple Tenants in Single Family Home
- Multiple Vehicles in Front & Rear Yards
- Open Fires and Fire Pits
- Vacant House
Simply put, enforcement cannot occur if the infraction is not PROPERLY reported. The City of Winnipeg operates on a ‘complaint based system’, meaning there is no one patrolling the entire City looking for by-law infractions. It is up to each one of us to report potential infractions!
For more information, visit Reporting By-Law Infractions.
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