Post-Secondary District Safety Initiative
The Post-Secondary District Safety Initiative addresses large unsanctioned gatherings and nuisance parties around St. Patrick’s Day.
This page outlines the rules, charges and fines that apply, including Nuisance Bylaw offences, tenant responsibilities and parking restrictions.
On this page:
St. Patrick’s Day safety response
The Post-Secondary District Safety Initiative brings together the City of Waterloo, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services to address large unsanctioned gatherings and nuisance parties around St. Patrick’s Day.
These events require significant emergency response resources and directly affect surrounding neighbourhoods.
The initiative includes the following areas:
- Northdale
- MacGregor
- the southern portion of Sugarbush
- most of uptown
- Waterloo Park
Nuisance Bylaw
The Nuisance Bylaw applies year-round. It addresses unsafe and disruptive behaviour, including large unsanctioned gatherings and nuisance parties.
Road and sidewalk safety
The bylaw now includes rules to keep roads and sidewalks clear. Police and bylaw officers will enforce these rules.
You cannot:
- intentionally block sidewalks or remain on roadways to force a street closure
- block roads or sidewalks when a nuisance is being created
- remain on the roadway if police or bylaw officers direct you to leave for public safety reasons
Nuisance Parties
Under the bylaw, you cannot attend, promote or encourage a Nuisance Party.
A Nuisance Party includes one or more of the following activities:
- public disorderly conduct
- public intoxication or public drunkenness
- the unlawful sale, furnishing or distribution of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances
- depositing garbage on public or private property
- damage to or destruction of public or private property
- pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic, or illegal parking that obstructs the free flow of traffic or could interfere with the ability to provide emergency services
- unreasonable noise or Nuisance Noise, including loud music or shouting that disturbs others
- illegal open burning or fireworks
- use of smoke grenade or similar device
- public disturbances, including public brawls or public fights
- outdoor public urination, defecation or other bodily emissions
- entering or occupying a roof not meant for use
Enforcement and charges
Officers will be enforcing all aspects of the bylaw, including blocking roads and sidewalks. They will also issue tickets for noise issues, nuisance, littering, public urination, garbage and property standards.
Tenant responsibility
All tenants on a property lease are equally responsible for all activities at their residence.
If you host or attend a nuisance party:
- all tenants on the lease may be charged
- officers may charge tenants at the door or by mail after the event
- officers may require clean-up while on site
- officers may issue a Part III summons to court
It is also an offence to:
- have excessive garbage in your yard – $100, $400 for a subsequent offence, plus possible clean-up fee
- make excessive noise – $400
- cause Nuisance Noise at designated times – $800, $1,200 for a subsequent offence
- set off a false fire alarm – $179.11 per hour, per firefighter
City penalties and fines
| City penalties | Set penalty | Subsequent penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Cause, permit, sponsor, host, allow or attend a Nuisance Party | $800 | $1200 |
| Bodily emission in public place | $400 | $800 |
| Litter in public place | $400 | $800 |
| Dump on public property | $400 | $800 |
| Emit excessive amounts of smoke in public place | $400 | $800 |
| Impede the passage of a pedestrian on a roadway or public property | $400 | $800 |
| Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a roadway or public property | $800 | $1200 |
| Cause or permit Nuisance Noise at designated time | $800 | $1200 |
| Occupy a roof | $800 | $1200 |
| Fail to leave premises after having been ordered to do so | $800 | $1200 |
Remedial Costs
In addition to fines and penalties, people who cause, permit, sponsor, organize or conduct a Nuisance Party, may be responsible for remedial costs.
Remedial costs may include expenses related to Police, Fire, Paramedic, Enforcement or clean-up response.
These costs:
- are in addition to fines or penalties
- are subject to interest
- may be recovered through legal action
- may be added to the property tax roll and collected in the same manner as property taxes
Community Safety Event and parking ban
A Community Safety Event and parking ban will be in effect on March 14 and March 17. The Traffic and Parking Bylaw will be enforced.
Parking ban
There is no parking on Saturday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 17, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
No parking is permitted in the area bordered by Columbia Street West, Weber Street North, Bridgeport Road East and Albert Street.
Make a bylaw complaint
Residents can report a Nuisance Party or noise issue to Municipal Enforcement Services at 519-747-8785.
For after hours, for urgent complaints that are an immediate health and safety concern call 911.