People caught smoking in parks and on trails in the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) could be slapped with a fine.
The RDNO board of directors has given approval to staff to update its parks bylaws to prohibit smoking in any RDNO park, trail or natural space. The ban applies to Greater Vernon, all electoral areas and White Valley.
The parks bylaws currently provide a definition for smoking but do not include a prohibition for it within park areas.
The fine for smoking in these areas will be $100.
The bylaw changes were discussed at the RDNO board of directors meeting on Wednesday, May 22.
Stacey Raftus, communications officer for the RDNO, said the regional district follows a complaint-based bylaw enforcement model, and bylaw officers will not be adding scheduled patrols to RDNO parks, trails and natural spaces as a result of this bylaw change.
“RDNO bylaw officers will have the ability to issue fines through the RDNO Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw,” Raftus said.
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