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Cranbrook, BC (June 23, 2025) – Cranbrook is strengthening its ability to protect public spaces and property values with the adoption of two new bylaws by Council Monday night – the Public Places Bylaw No. 4207, 2025 and the Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 4206, 2025. These bylaws are designed to create a safer, cleaner, and more respectful community for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Public Places Bylaw outlines expected standards of behaviour in public areas such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and other City facilities. It supports the use of public spaces for everyone by addressing disruptive behaviours like public intoxication, fighting, graffiti, and littering. This bylaw also empowers Bylaw Services and the Cranbrook RCMP Detachment to act more effectively when problems do arise.

The Unsightly Premises Bylaw provides clearer authority for the City to act on properties that are neglected or pose a nuisance, including those with excessive garbage, derelict vehicles, or overgrown vegetation. It also allows for faster response to issues that impact neighbourhood safety and visual appeal, helping to maintain property values and reduce potential long-term cleanup costs funded by taxpayers.

“People want their neighbourhoods to feel safe and clean, and they want to be able to enjoy public spaces without running into disruptive behaviour, vandalism and garbage,” says Mayor Wayne Price. “These new bylaws will really help our staff better respond to those concerns more quickly and effectively.”

The next step is to set clear fines for people who have unsightly properties or cause a public nuisance, as defined in the new bylaws. These changes give Bylaw Officers and RCMP better tools to deal with problem areas and help keep Cranbrook safe and clean.