REMINDER Business Owners Regarding Sidewalk Maintenance

REMINDER Business Owners Regarding Sidewalk Maintenance

As summer is in full swing, it was felt this was a good time for a friendly reminder to business owners regarding sidewalk maintenance.

Under  Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009, it is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of any property in Town to maintain the streets abutting their property.  For businesses, it is required that snow, ice, or rubbish from the sidewalk and footpaths bordering their property be cleared no later than 10:00 AM each day.  Over the past few years the Town has added garbage containers and cigarette butt depositories throughout Main Street. These efforts have had minor effects on the number of butts dropped on the sidewalk. In the interest of all that use the sidewalks, please sweep your sidewalk each day before 10:00 AM in an effort to deal with the cigarette butts and other rubbish left on the sidewalks.

The Bylaw also does not allow any sign, sign board, or other portable device, or chattels on a sidewalk without a permit.  If you require to have displays or sign boards in front of your business, please contact the Planning and Development Services Department for the necessary permit application.

The Town will be enforcing its bylaws with regard to the Traffic Bylaw and the Good Neighbour Bylaw and will be assessing fines where necessary.

Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1277, 2011 addresses panhandling on the streets.   We are aware of this being an issue and are taking this opportunity to let you know what the bylaw regulations are for panhandling.  The Bylaw states:

“2.1 No person shall panhandle within 10 metres of:
a) An entrance to a  bank, credit union or trust company;
b) An automated teller machine; or
c) The entrance to any liquor store.

2.2 No person shall panhandle in such a way as to impede the ability of a person entering or exiting a place of business.

2.3 No person shall sit or lie on a street for the purpose of panhandling.

2.4 No persons shall panhandle between the time of sunset on any day and sunrise on the day following.

2.5 No person shall continue to panhandle from a person, or follow a person, after that person has indicated a negative response to the panhandler.

2.6 No person shall panhandle or solicit business from an occupant of a vehicle, including a vehicle that is:
a) parked;
b) stopped at a traffic control sign or signal; or
c) stopped temporarily for the purpose of loading or unloading.”

If you have issues with panhandlers not following the bylaw please contact the town office immediately and we will have the bylaw enforcement officer attend.

It is in everyone’s best interest to keep the Town clean and inviting for residents and visitors so your cooperation in clearing the sidewalks and abiding by the permit regulations for signs and other chattels is appreciated.  We in turn will do our part in ensuring that the downtown remains inviting to local and tourists.

All the best for a fabulous and prosperous summer!

Town of Osoyoos
250.495.6515
(E) info@osoyoos.ca