So I was visited by a by-law officer today and given a Business Licence Warning Notice. I live in NW Calgary, Hamptons.
TL-DR: Well supposedly, it's illegal to work on cars if they aren't registered at your address; even for family and for free.
We had a chat about the issue and my answer to her question about me doing auto repairs and how often was, I work on my vehicles and I do pretty major repairs like engine rebuilds and clutches, etc. and a 3-4 times a year my uncle comes and I help him do an oil change. I was told this is violating by-law. I even mentioned that I don't charge my uncle for my time, it's just and oil change or putting on winter tires. I was then told it doesn't matter if I charge money or not. I was told I need a business licence to do any work on vehicles that I don't own. She went on to say licences were about $260 a year plus what ever else is needed (AMVIC $250, fire, etc.).
I asked why it's illegal to help family with simple auto repairs and was told that it caused unnecessary traffic on my residential street.
Which I went on to ask, if my uncle is coming over to visit, how is that unnecessary traffic. Answer I was given was that's the way it is and I should go to my uncles house to do his auto repairs.
I looked up the by law (32M98) and the law checks out, but this is absurd. I guess this is more a rant but maybe the law needs some looking at. Pretty much i'm told that helping family is illegal, so much for caring communities in Calgary.
Opinions anyone?