Calgary neighbourhood bylaw open to suggestions from public

What does it take to keep 1.3 million people living together without killing each other over the backyard fence?

Bylawsare our social lubricant.They're the tiny, tiny little rules that keep us from throwing punches.Right?

The city wants to know what you think about odd smells, noise, weeds, open firesand eyesores in your community.

• Calgary city council updated the bylaw in November 2016. Check out the changes here
• Fire pit rules in Calgary: What you need to know

Do the current rules do agood job of regulating "neighbourhood nuisances," or not?Should the city lighten up or buckle down?

As it stands, here are some of the rules.

Untidy properties

You're not allowed to use your lawn or yard as a storage area for smelly things, unwanted furniture,things that might attract pests or animalpoo.

Refrigerators and freezers must have hinges and latches, or lidsand doors, removed before they can be stored outside.

It's your responsibility to maintain your fence so it doesn't become a"safety hazard."

You must also do your best to keep any smoke, dust, and light pollution from escaping your house and bothering your neighbours.

Grass

If your grass gets taller than 15 cm,you could face a minimum $100 fine.

But don't try to cut it with a lawn mowerbetween the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on a weekday, or 10 p.m. and 9a.m. on a weekend, because that's not allowed either.

When you're done, watch where you put your cuttings. They must notaccumulate where people outside your property can see them.

Flyers and debris

You're responsible for any papers and flyers on your property, whether you ordered them or not.

It's your job to make sure this kind of "debris"doesn't blow onto your neighbour's property, under threat of a $100 minimum fine.

You couldposta "no flyer"or "no junk mail"sign, but right now that only applies tocommercial flyers.

Noise

If you want to peddle ice cream (or any other food for that matterat midnight, you'll have to do it without the ice cream song.

You're not allowed to use a horn, bell or any other "signaling device" between10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on a weekday, or 10 p.m. and 9a.m. on a weekend.

Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series at Calgary at a Crossroads.