This information is intended to act as a guide and explanation to the DCN By-Law No. S-1, District of Carleton North Unsightly Premises and Dangerous Buildings and Structures By-law. The text of the legislations will always take precedence over this guide.

Q. What give the District of Carleton North the right to tell someone what to do with their property?

A: The Local Governance Act of New Brunswick lays out the roles and responsibilities of a municipality, and section 10 (1) (d) says a municipality may make a by law regulating dangerous and unsightly premises and properties

Q. Why does the by-law look like it does?

A: The The Local Governance Act says in section 128 (2) that if a municipality does make a bylaw, it
needs to match what is in the legislation in sections 130 to 143, so the bylaw simply references
those sections.

Q: What does “unsightly” mean, and what can the municipality do about it?

A: Section 131 (1) says a property is unsightly if there are ashes, junk, rubbish or refuse, or if there is
an accumulation of woods shavings, paper, sawdust or left over construction material on the
property. It is also unsightly if there is a derelict vehicle, equipment, or machinery, or a dilapidated
building. The Town can ask the owner to clean it up.

Q: What about empty buildings?

A: If an empty or unoccupied building is a hazard to the public -section 131 (2) -, the owner can be
asked to repair or demolish it. It could be a hazard if it is easy to get into, is a fire hazard, or could
injure someone. Note the municipality must prove that the building is a hazard, not just that it is empty.

A: If a building, occupied or not, is deemed to be structurally unsound and unsafe, the Town can
order it demolished (Section 131 (3)).

Q: How does a complaint related to a property get made?

A: If you have a concern about a property, email tristan.sipprell@carletonnorth.com with your concerns, your contact information, and as much information as you can provide. The Public Safety Manager/By-law Enforcement Officer will investigate to determine if the concerns fall within the guidelines and a file needs to be opened.

Q: What happens when a file is opened?

A: The Public Safety Manager will contact the property owner, advise them of the concern, and attempt to have it corrected cooperatively within a reasonable time frame. Note the owner will not be advised who made a complaint. Only if the property owner refuses to cooperate, or the owner cannot be identify/contacted, will the municipality move to the Notice to Comply.

Q: What is a Notice to Comply?

A: A Notice to Comply is a formal notice given to the owner