Lethbridge County issues statement on Land Use Bylaw enforcement and staff safety

Officials with Lethbridge County say they are aware of recent public commentary regarding a warning letter issued under the county’s Land Use Bylaw related to signage on a rural property.

To be clear, the county notes it does not regulate viewpoints or political beliefs. County officials say the Land Use Bylaw governs the placement, size, and type of signage to ensure consistency, safety, and compatibility with surrounding land uses across all properties in the county. Officials say these rules apply equally, regardless of the message displayed.

In this case, county officials say the warning letter was issued based on non-compliance with those established regulations. They add, it is part of routine enforcement carried out in communities across Alberta every day.

The county’s statement reads, “We recognize and respect that freedom of expression is a fundamental value in Canada. At the same time, the law is clear that municipalities may set reasonable, content-neutral rules respecting how and where signage is displayed.”