Property owners responsible for keeping roads, alleys clean

Property owners have a responsibility to keep clean the roads and alleys that share a boundary with their property in Lethbridge.

On Monday during a city council meeting, Coun. Jeff Carlson said he had been receiving complaints about the state of some back alley areas behind the houses of local residents, and asked administration whether something could be done about it. As it turns out, there is. The Waste Bylaw, Section 29, states the owner of a parcel of land is ultimately responsible for that parcel and any portion of highway, road, or lane between the boundary of the parcel and the middle of the highway, road, or lane.

“(That includes) leaves that fall off your own tree or someone else’s tree,” said Doug Hawkins, Director of Infrastructure Services. “It is our expectation that the homeowners will look after the cleaning of that (space).”

However, he said the City is responsible for waste created during the course of City activities in the lane.

Hawkins said to contact the City if there are any issues.

“If residents have concerns that their neighbours are placing debris of their own making in the lane, they can call (Public Operations) and let us know about that,” said Hawkins.

“We have a notification system to encourage folks to clean up that waste. There are penalties, if, after several notices, we have non-compliance.” To contact Public Operations, dial 403-320-3850.