By-law Enforcement and Other Regulatory Officers

Nature of work

Officers and inspectors in this group enforce by-laws and regulations of provincial and municipal governments. Animal control officers enforce animal control by-laws. Commercial transport inspectors inspect transport vehicles. Garbage collection inspectors investigate complaints regarding the storing and collection of garbage. Other areas requiring inspectors and enforcement officers are liquor licences, parking control, taxi service, and property zoning. They work for provincial and municipal governments and agencies. By-law enforcement officers may specialize in the enforcement of one specific by-law.

Job duties

Animal control officers:

• Respond to citizen complaints concerning stray domestic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
• Issue warnings and citations to owners.
• Impound lost, homeless, and dangerous animals.

By-law enforcement officers:

• Enforce municipal and provincial regulations.
• Investigate complaints.
• Issue warnings and citations to commercial and residential property owners and occupants.

Commercial transport inspectors:

• Inspect commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with regulations governing load restrictions, the transportation of hazardous materials and public safety.

Garbage collection inspectors:

• Investigate complaints concerning infractions of garbage collection by-laws.

Liquor licence inspectors:

• Conduct inspections of licensed businesses.
• Advise licencees on laws and regulations.
• Report violations of laws and regulations to provincial liquor control boards and agencies.

Parking control officers:

• Enforce parking by-laws on city streets, regional roads, and municipal properties.

Taxi inspectors:

• Inspect taxicabs for mechanical reliability, cleanliness, licensing, and meter accuracy.
• Investigate public complaints, issue citations, and prepare reports.
• Give evidence to city councils, taxi commissions and in court.

Zoning inspectors:

• Investigate properties in violation of zoning and related by-laws, after receiving requests for licence clearances pertaining to zoning and related by-laws, and on receipt of building permit applications.

Sample job titles

• animal control officer
• by-law enforcement officer
• commercial transport inspector
• highway scale operator
• liquor licence inspector
• municipal law enforcement officer
• parking control officer
• service station inspector
• transportation enforcement officer
• zoning enforcement officer

Skills

• You must be resourceful and able to work on your own carrying out instructions given by your employer. It will be necessary to gain a good knowledge of the regulations pertaining to your work. Excellent communication, observation, and problem-solving skills are essential. You should have a valid driver's licence. Cultural sensitivity and patience are important. You should also be able to communicate with and gain the respect of the public. Candidates are required to pass the appropriate background check.

Job requirements

• High school is required.
• Completion of a college program or courses in law and security or other related field or experience in a related administrative or regulatory occupation is usually required.
• Zoning inspectors or zoning enforcement officers may require a college diploma as a civil engineering or architectural technologist or technician and several years of experience in enforcement and/or building construction or a related field.
• On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

None

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts