The RM of Rockwood has tweaked its "unsightly yard" by-law to include the entire municipality. Reeve Jim Campbell says they've always had a derelict vehicle and unsightly yard by-law for their urban centres but it didn't cover rural areas. Campbell notes they just want to ensure that people aren't using their yards to stockpile junk which is unsightly for their neighbours or spoils the aesthetics of the neighbourhoods---whether they're country or urban. He says they've only had a few complaints up to this point, but they didn't have any way to act on those complaints. Campbell adds they've now grown some teeth and will hopefully be able to take care of the one or two issues which have arisen.

He says if there is a complaint, their by-law officer will go out and make an inspection. Campbell notes if the by-law officer feels a problem exists, he'll fill out a report and bring it to council for possible action. He adds some people in the municipality were worried that folks would be attacked just because they have a vehicle parked outside their house, but the by-law really isn't that stringent. Campbell says in rural areas people often do have a spare half-ton for parts, so as long as it's stored out of sight or under a tarp there shouldn't be any problems.