Community Peace Officers perform a number of duties from enforcing various laws to providing security in public facilities. The Town of Penhold Community Peace Officers work alongside community members, provincial agencies, and the RCMP to provide proactive education and enforcement of municipal and provincial laws.
The Town of Penhold is serviced by members of the Innisfail RCMP Detachment. In case of RCMP Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
The Innisfail detachment is located at:
4904 - 45th Avenue
Innisfail, AB T4G 1S6
Penhold Volunteer Fire Department
The Fire Hall is located at 1001 Minto Street, this building is not open to the public. During business hours, contact the Protective Services Manager at 403-886-3292.
The Penhold Fire Department responds to all fire, rescue, and medical emergencies in Penhold. This volunteer, coed association is proud to be part of Alberta’s emergency services team. Our department not only protects the town, they also work in conjunction with other departments in our vicinity, Penhold's agreement is with Red Deer County and Innisfail.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Penhold is provided through Alberta Health Services (AHS) and is accessed by calling 911.
The Penhold Volunteer Fire Department responds to all medical emergencies in town. The Fire Department has more than 20 fully trained emergency medical responders or emergency medical technicians, with all members trained to at least standard first aid health care provider level. The Penhold Fire Department runs the Medical First Responder program with consent from Town Council, under the policies, procedures and guidelines of AHS, and under the direction of the AHS Medical Director for Central Alberta.
Many times people ask "I called for an ambulance why did the Fire Department show up?" AHS does not station an ambulance in Penhold and the Fire Department can arrive on scene in 5-6 minutes in most cases with highly trained and equipped personnel to provide immediate care. We also assist the EMS personnel with patient care, packaging, and in serious incidents transport.
What can we not provide? We are not able in our scope of practice to cancel an ambulance, transport patients in our vehicles, or provide medical advice without a Doctor's approval.
This is a value added service provided by highly skilled and motivated fire fighters and we are glad to be able to serve. There is no cost to the patient for this service.
Protective Services Common Questions
Making a Complaint
Making a Complaint by Phone
For faster assistance: if your complaint is related to Animal Control please call 403-886-3286.
For all other Municipal Bylaw or Violation related complaints, please be ready with the following information for faster response.
- Your name, address and primary contact phone number
- The address of the exact location of the property for which you wish to register a complaint about or the vehicle style, make and license plate
- A brief and concise description of the complaint
All information will remain confidential. No anonymous complaints will be accepted – you must identify yourself.
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
Complaint line: 403-886-3286
Click here to submit an E-Service Request for non-urgent complaints
After submitting your complaint it will be sent the Town of Penhold Community Peace Officers department where:
- A file is created specifying your concerns
- The officer investigates your complaint
- Depending on the circumstances, the officer may issue a warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within a specified time frame, may issue a work order if related to unsightly properties for clean up, or issue a fine immediately.
- The officer may contact your to appear as a witness, if the matter goes to court
Complaint Follow Up
A Peace Officer will attempt to contact the complainant to acknowledge receipt of their complaint.
Request Ticket Review
Municipal Violation Ticket Review
If you have received a Municipal Violation Ticket and wish to discuss this violation with a Peace Officer, the following process must be followed.
A request for an Administrative Review on a Municipal Violation Ticket you have been issued can be submitted in writing no later than 10 calendar days from the offence date.
Municipal Violations Administrative Review Form
If you would like to print off the form, you may submit it no later than 10 calendar days from the offence date in any one of the following ways:
- Fax to 403-886-4039
- In person by dropping form off at the address located at the bottom of the form.
- By emailing the Peace Officers at cpo@townofpenhold.ca
Animal Control
The Town of Penhold Community Peace Officers are trained in Animal Control Services and are experienced in trapping and controlling animals.
Quick Facts to remember:
- All dogs / cats over 4 months must be registered with the town.
- All dogs / cats must be on-leash at all times within the town boundary.
- Owners are required to immediately remove defecation from any property but their own.
If you are looking for a lost pet, contact the Community Peace Officers at 403-886-3286.
If you have any dog or cat issues within the municipality of Penhold please call 403-886-3286.
In the event our Community Peace Officers are unable to help you, or are unavailable at the time of your call, please listen carefully to the entire message, a number to a private contractor will be provided.
Community Peace Officers have been directed by Council to enforce all off-leash dog violations they encounter. Regardless of fencing or remoteness, there are no off leash authorized areas within the Town of Penhold. As a good neighbour, please remember keeping your pet on a leash helps keep pets safe and parks clean, prevents bites and fights and reduces stress for everyone walking.
To report animal abuse or neglect, please contact the SPCA at 1.800.455.9003 or https://cahumane.com
Snowmobiles / OHVs in Penhold
Snowmobiling / use of OHVs is Prohibited Within Town Limits
Residents are reminded snowmobiling / use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) is not permitted within town limits, including all green spaces. This restriction is in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of these spaces for all residents and to protect the integrity of our shared community resources.
Why snowmobiling / OHV use is not allowed:
- Legal Restrictions: Snowmobiles / OHVs are not legally permitted within Penhold town limits. Operating a snowmobile or OHV in Penhold violates Bylaw 828/2024. (Section 4.9 restricts parking and driving of any vehicle, including snowmobiles, on Town land) and may result in fines or other penalties. Additionally, the Alberta Traffic Safety Act part 6 restricts Off-Highway Vehicles from driving on any primary or secondary highway and their right of ways and also restricts the use of any vehicle (including OHV) on all roads unless they are: registered, insured, operated by a licensed operator, wearing helmets, have operating headlamps and tail lamps, have a valid licence plate.
- Preventing Damage to Park Resources: Snow-covered areas may conceal small trees, shrubs, grass, park furniture, and infrastructure. Snowmobiles / OHVs can cause significant damage to these elements, which are vital to maintaining the beauty and functionality of our parks.
- Ensuring Safety for People and Pets: Parks are often used by pedestrians, families, and pet owners during winter months. Snowmobiles / OHVs pose a risk of harm or negative interactions with individuals enjoying these spaces on foot.
We appreciate your cooperation in respecting these guidelines. Let’s work together to ensure our parks remain safe and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. If you have any questions, please contact the Town Office.
Fireworks
Fireworks are not permitted within the Town of Penhold
Fireworks are not permitted without written permission or permit from the local fire department. The fine for a first offense is $500;
From the Community Standards Bylaw:
SECTION 12 – FIREWORKS
1.) No person shall have in his/her possession, sell, offer for sale, give away or
otherwise distribute, discharge, fire or set off any fireworks in the Town of Penhold.
2) The Fire Chief or his designate may issue, for the purpose of special events or
display a permit for the storage, handling and discharging of fireworks to the holder of a Firework Supervisor Card issued pursuant to the Explosives Act, R.S.C 1985, c. E-17 and its regulations.
RV Parking For Residents
Park, Pack & Prepare your RV in 72 hours:
Between April 1 and October 15 of each year, recreational vehicles (RV) may be parked on Town of Penhold roads for up to 72 consecutive hours for the purposes of loading and unloading. After 72 hours, RVs must be moved to a different location for at least 48 consecutive hours before being parked on the road again.
RV Parking on Private Property:
- RVs may be parked on an approved hard surface* parking pad** (page 68 of Land Use Bylaw) in the front yard of a residential parcel or the front or a flanking side yard of a residential parcel as long as they do not overhang the sidewalk or road.
- RVs cannot be parked on landscaped areas, including front or side yards, on your property.
- At no time shall any recreational vehicle be parked with slide outs obstructing safe movement of vehicle traffic or pedestrian traffic.
- No part of any RV can overhang sidewalk, street, or lane or otherwise create a traffic hazard.
- RVs must not block traffic or pedestrians
- No unattached RVs / trailers can be parked in front of, across from or adjacent to residential property at any given time.
*Hard Surface means asphalt, concrete or paving stone or similar material that is used in the construction of a driveway or parking area, but does not include gravel or granular material. (page 21 Land Use Bylaw)
**Legal Parking Pad shall include the area used as a driveway to an attached front drive garage and an area that will include the extension of the sidewalk to the front door to a maximum of 1.0m (3.28ft.) from the wall of the garage adjacent to the walk leading to the front entrance and will also include the area from the edge of the driveway to the side property line on the opposite side of the sidewalk to the front door. This parking pad shall be a hard surfaced pad used for parking vehicles or recreational vehicles in the front yard area. (page 23 Land Use Bylaw)
RVs include:
- Duly licensed travel trailers
- Motor homes
- Slide-in campers
- Chassis-mounted campers
- Boats
- All-terrain vehicles
- Snowmobiles
- Tent trailers