Dog Licenses

If you own a dog(s) and live in the District of Hope, you are required under Dog Licensing, Control and Impounding Bylaw No. 31/96 to purchase a dog license at the beginning of each calendar year. Dogs must be licensed at the age of 4 months. A discount is available for dogs that have been spayed or neutered. A veterinarian’s certificate confirming that your dog(s) is/are spayed or neutered must be presented to receive this discount.

In accordance with this bylaw, dogs are not permitted to run at large and must be in control of the owner at all times. Streets, parks and school yards are randomly patrolled by the Dog Control Officer. Dogs that are picked-up and wearing their dog license can be identified and their owners contacted. Fines include impoundment fees plus daily maintenance fees. If the dog is not licensed, an additional penalty for failing to purchase a license will be charged. Dogs not claimed by their owners within 72 hours (16 of which must be regular business hours) will be sent to a humane society (space permitting) or may be humanely destroyed.

If you have lost your dog, call the Dog Control Office at 869-2250 or the Municipal Office at 869-5671.

Downtown Parking Restrictions

Downtown streets (or portions of streets as posted) allow for “two hour” or “fifteen minute” parking only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. These areas are clearly posted with signs indicating applicable parking limitations. “No parking areas” are either posted with signs, painted or marked with a solid yellow line, or designated by yellow painted curbs.

Parking fines of $15.00 per offense are payable within 48 hours of the time on the violation notice. If the fine remains unpaid and a second offense occurs, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense. Failure to pay a parking violation may result in a further penalty of up to $250.00.

Residential and Commercial Laneways

Not everyone in the District has a laneway behind their property, but for those of you who do, you have a responsibilty to keep these laneways clear for a number of very good reasons.

The most important reason, is of course, in the case of fire or other emergency situations. Emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances and the police may require access to this part of your neighbourhood and a parked car or other obstruction will hamper their efforts. In some neighbourhoods, garbage trucks are also required to use these laneways and cannot always maneuver in them due to obstructions.

Please do not park or store vehicles or trailers in a residential or commercial laneway at any time. Also, make sure that any items you may be storing on your property do not encroach into the laneway. In an emergency situation, every second counts.