Bylaw-ed to Death...

The District of Coldstream says they do it.
They say they act on complaints.
...from neighbours.

But first, a sentiment that sprang to mind when I read the article:

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."  Winston Churchill

Seems the City of Vernon acts on complaints from neighbours too, according to this Letter to the Editor in the October 24th, 2012 issue of the Morning Star:  

 "My husband and I live in a two-level home built in 2010 with a suite in the basement built solely for the purpose of housing my elderly parents.

As a former nurse, I am able to provide support for my father and mother so they can continue to live together in a safe environment.

Not too long ago, someone in the neighbourhood reported that we had an illegal suite and the nightmare began.  True, my basement has a stove.  My father is a very good cook and provides all meals for them both.  Apparently, this was the main concern of the bylaw officer.

Bylaw 1520 may also be cited as the 9-page Rental Unit Standard of Maintenance Bylaw.

First of note is that this bylaw is referring to rental units, ours is not a rental unit.  What it becomes should we sell the house in a few years is of no consequence to us and we should not have to pay to have a rental unit just because one day it might be a rental unit.  Also for interest sake, did you know that bylaw officers have no concern about your rental suite unless someone complains about it?

"it has cost us $200 for an application for a permit for a secondary suite, $90 for the initial inspection, $100 for a building permit and $60 a year for a business license."

Now, from my understanding, all of the renovations we need to make are simply because my mother and father's home has a stove in it.  We are asked to put in two solid, steel fire doors (that makes three doors within three feet of each other) at a cost of $1,400, dampers in all of the vents upstairs and fireboard the furnace room walls (the ceiling of the entire suite has fireboard on it already).

The total cost has not yet been established but it has cost us $200 for an application for a permit for a secondary suite, $90 for the initial inspection, $100 for a building permit and $60 a year for a business license.

I was able to convince city staff we are not a business.  We make no profit off this suite and therefore we are not running a business but are simply providing a place for my parents to live.  They agreed we did not need to pay the business license.

Bylaw 1520 addresses water and sanitation, heat, light, egress, security and mandatory provision of services and utilities.  Nowhere does it address the issue of having a stove in the suite.

Nowhere does it provide direction on how the suite is to be secured because of a stove.  Nowhere does it say that if there is a stove, there needs to be fire doors, dampers, fireboarding or even smoke detectors.

Page eight of the bylaw addresses the notice to comply standards and once again it is referring to a rental premise.

So why is the city making it so difficult to keep relatives, especially elderly family members in our own homes?  All of the requirements made to us by the bylaw officer were based on the fact that there is a stove in my parent's suite.  Where does it say in this bylaw that we need to make all of these costly changes because of a stove?

To add insult to injury, they now say we need to pay separate water, sewer and garbage for the suite.

I guess that means we pay the base rate twice.  Not sure on that one.

I hope this will help someone else navigate the muddy waters of bylaw 5120 of the City of Vernon.

Be prepared.  Someone wants your money and don't make your neighbours upset because they obviously have more power than you do.

No grace for those who are trying to do the right thing and keep their relatives safe and comfortable. 

Debbie Sparrow"

Many know exactly how you feel, Debbie, getting caught up in the bureaucratic maze that seeks firstly to empty your wallet and, secondly, for your remaining cash to provide economic stimulus to the community (buying new doors, vent baffles and fireboard, etc. etc.)

And the impact of a neighbour's complaint doesn't go away anytime soon.

The City of Vernon's bylaws page (not so easy to find, by the way...it was under "Residential Services" heading).  

"They're creating an East German 'snitch-society'," offers Kia, adding, "and look at how that worked out for them."

Good point, Kia.