Lacombe County residents will have to be diligent when it comes to controlling noise levels on their property after county council passed their newest bylaw prohibiting certain public disturbances.

The bylaw comes after the county received complaints of parties and loud music happening multiple days in a row. The intention of the bylaw is to punish those who repeatedly have loud events outside of the county's quiet hours, which prohibits loud noises prior to 4 a.m.

The county doesn't mean to go after every person they receive a complaint about and that's why staff is emphasizing the importance of a case-to-case basis when it comes to handing out fines.

"A lot of discretion has to be used," said Terry Hager, county commissioner. "You have to look at every circumstance differently."

With the new bylaw, peace officers will now have the authority to fine offenders rather than charge them criminally, allowing them to deal with the issue without getting heavy-handed, said Hager.

The bylaw also allows for exceptions to the bylaw so that organized community events, supported by the community, can still go ahead as planned without fear of fines from peace officers.