5 more silly bylaws in Alberta

The small town of Taber, Alta. has a new bylaw that has received widespread attention across the country. The new bylaw outlaws swearing, yelling and spitting in public, and puts a curfew on kids and teenagers from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

If residents swear or yell in public, they face a possible $150 fine for the first offense, and any offense thereafter will cost the $250. For minors out past 11 p.m, they may be hit with a $75 fine.

This is not the first time a city council in Alberta has passed a bylaw that seems unreasonable. Here are seven more examples of city bylaws in Alberta that are bound to be broken.

Keep your feet on the ground in Calgary

Whatever you do, don't stand on anything but the ground in Calgary. Under the public behavior bylaw, no person can stand or put their feet on top of any table, bench, planter or sculpture placed in public places.

Don't own a rat in Alberta

This law is probably simple for most Alberta residents to follow. But, for anyone who has a faint interest in these rodents, you're out of luck in Alberta. Alberta banned rats in the 1850s and the province went to extreme lengths to keep them out. Owning a rat is considered a serious offense, and those who break this law can be fined up to $5,000 per rodent. And the rats are no better off – they face either euthanasia or deportation.

No profanity in Jasper

Who knew that the city of Jasper was so uptight? According to its bylaws, people are not allowed to shout, scream or call out profanities or obscenities in Jasper. Offenders are fined $150 for the first offense, $300 for the second offense, and after the third offense, it's $500.

Keep your property spick-and-span in Edmonton

It is common for cities to outline the condition in which residents should keep their properties. However, Edmonton is much stricter than some of the other major cities across Canada. The city's bylaws state that grass or weeds can be no higher than 10 centimetres, and the "production of any general offensive odours" are also prohibited. And while sidewalks may be the city’s property, they're a homeowners responsibility; all residents must maintain any sidewalk adjacent to land they own and make sure it is clear of all snow and ice.