Lights out: District of North Vancouver proposal would dim Christmas displays at night

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A proposal set to go before District of North Vancouver council on Monday would force residents to shut off their Christmas light displays at 11 p.m. every night, if approved.

According to the agenda for the meeting, council is asked to give the bylaw amendment first, second, and third readings.

The district says “bylaw officers or @nvanrcmp would be authorized to enter at any reasonable time onto property to inspect and determine whether the regulations of this bylaw are being complied with.” What do you think? @NEWS1130

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) November 23, 2020

The changes would be made to the Nuisance Abatement Bylaw, such that one section is deleted and substituted by “Christmas or holiday lights between November 15 and January 15, Halloween lights between October 1 and November 7, provided such lighting is turned off by 11:00 p.m. each day and remains off overnight until the following day.”

Under the bylaw proposed, officers — either bylaw enforcement or RCMP — would be allowed to “enter at any reasonable time onto property to inspect and determine whether the regulations of this bylaw are being complied with.”

Coun. Mathew Bond says the district has had two complaints about Christmas lights over the last five years.

He says the motion is an overreach, especially during the pandemic.

“Whatever we can do during this winter to bring a little bit more light and joy into people’s lives, I think, is going to be really important for people’s mental health. If Christmas lights being on a 12 o’clock at night or 6 o’clock in the morning is part of that, I think that should be allowed,” Bond says.

It’s 11:15 in my neighbourhood. Decorative lights are on. About to become illegal in #northvan if Council votes in favour of a new bylaw tomorrow limiting the times of day for holiday lighting.

Send me the first fine. This is a waste of time. https://t.co/sLGIAfO3vK pic.twitter.com/0EkXo8FI34

— Mathew Bond (@mrmathewbond) November 23, 2020

“It’s not something I’m going to be supporting,” Bond adds.

Mayor Mike Little said the district doesn’t have many tools to “respond to over-the-top displays” that could be considered a nuisance.

“Many residents of the District of North Van have made their wishes quite clear over the weekend, and tonight, Council will have its first chance to discuss the matter in over a year,” Little said.

‘Ridiculous’

The proposal is receiving a lot of reaction online, with some likening the move to something the Grinch would do.

“Ridiculous, We (sic) turn them off when we go to bed…and that is sometimes past 11 PM!” one person writes.

Others question what the reasoning is behind the 11 p.m. cutoff, while some say the COVID-19 pandemic should be a factor to consider.

“I get it most years for conserving power. However, considering the lockdown and the unpleasant time we’re in, wouldn’t it make sense to leave Holiday (sic) lights alone for the time being? North Van district council couldn’t be more screwed up on this issue,” a tweet reads.

“Are that many people concerned about Christmas lights being on after 11:00pm? (sic)”

Really? Are that many people concerned about Christmas lights being on after 11:00pm?

Seems some hobbies are needed

— Colleen (@ColleenO_C) November 23, 2020