By-laws
Learn more about By-law Enforcement.
Frequently requested by-laws
Accountability and Transparency to the Public |
Animal Control – The Control and Licensing of Dogs |
Along with other requirements in the Control and Licensing of Dogs By-law, please remember to:
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Backyard Hens |
The Backyard Hens By-law, an amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning by-law 04-181, stipulates the allowable number of hens within defined property sizes and uses, and prohibits hens in a waterfront area. |
Bear Feeding |
The By-law To Prohibit the Deliberate Feeding of Bears speaks to the feeding or storing of feed outside for the purpose of attracting bears in the Township of Lake of Bays. The By-law also refers to exemptions for those activities related to hunting permitted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. |
Building By-law |
By-law 2013-037 respecting construction, demolition, change of use, conditional permits, sewage systems and inspections. |
Camping Permits – Haliburton Highlands Water Trails |
Cemeteries |
View our Cemeteries page for more information. |
Code of Conduct Policy for the Township of Lake of Bays |
Commercial Use of Municipal Property |
By-law 2019-032 was passed to establish procedures for the Commerical Use of Municipal Property in the Township of Lake of Bays. |
Council Procedures |
Council Remuneration |
Council and Staff Relations Policy |
Dark Sky |
To ensure responsible lighting, reduce light pollution and promote conservation of a dark sky environment, the By-law to Regulate Outdoor Illumination was implemented in 2013. The By-law encourages use of low wattage, energy efficient lighting in waterfront and rural areas to:
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Delegation of Municipal Power and Duties |
Development Charges |
Development Permits |
Discharge of Firearms |
The By-law to Regulate the Discharge of Firearms in the Township was passed to protect the health, safety and well-being of persons. The By-law defines Community Designation areas – within community areas or outside these areas. Within the Community Designation areas, NO discharge of firearms or similar devices are allowed unless:
Outside the Community Designation areas, no discharge of firearms or similar devices unless:
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Emergency Plan |
Encumbering or Fouling of Highways or Bridges |
The By-law to Prohibit or Regulate the Obstruction, Encumbering or Fouling of Highways or Bridges in the Township states that no person shall cause any damage, build on, or place anything within the roadways or bridges owned by the Township. |
Entrance Permits |
By-law 2016-138 to regulate access onto Township Roads |
Fees and Charges |
The Fees and Charges By-law, is updated as required on an annual basis. If there are any application fees, enforcement or administrative charges found within the operational by-laws, they will be found here.
By-law 2019-033 is a by-law to amend the current Fees and Charges by-law for payment of municipal services, activities, and use of municipal property for the Commercial Use of Municipal Property. |
Heritage Property Tax Relief Program |
View our Heritage Property Tax Relief Program page. |
Kennels |
The licensing, inspecting and compliance of Kennels within Lake of Bays is covered by the By-law Respecting the Licensing, Regulating and Governing of Kennels. These kennels may be located within Rural or Commercial zones as per the Comprehensive Zoning By-law, are required to follow all other acts and laws and are covered by an annual membership renewal. |
Litter |
The Littering Control By-law states the following are violations:
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Municipal Access User Agreement (MAUA) |
View our Applications, Licences and Permits page to learn more about the Municipal Access User Agreement. This agreement is regulated under the Public Parks By-law (see below). |
Noise |
The By-law to Control Noise is designed to reduce and control unusual or unnecessary sounds which may degrade the quality and tranquility of lives within The Township of the Lake of Bays. In order to determine if a noise is prohibited in your area, it is important to refer to the by-law schedules to first determine in what zone you are located, then if the activity is prohibited, and finally to look at what timeframes the noise is permitted. A general guide to the noise by-law demonstrates that most noise, whether residential or construction related, is not allowed any night after 9:00 p.m., and not before 7:00 a.m. between Monday and Saturday and not before noon on Sundays. |
Off-Road Vehicles on Municipal roads |
In order to understand if off-road vehicles are allowed on roadways in The Township of the Lake of Bays, please refer to the By-law to Regulate the Use of Off-road Vehicles (ORVs) on Municipal Roads. Key points to consider when operating off-road vehicles where they are permitted:
Please note off-road vehicles are NOT permitted on roadways as listed in Schedule “A” of the by-law. |
Outdoor Burning |
The Outdoor Burning By-law and its amendment regulates outdoor burning. The by-law also allows the Fire Department to place a ban on outdoor fires and fireworks based on environmental conditions. In general, no person shall be allowed to have open air burning between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. between the months of April and October in each year, except as permitted under Parts 3 and 4 of the by-law. Part 3 speaks to Barbeques and Fire Department education/training, and Part 4 speaks to Permissions and Approvals to conduct open air burning. Permits to conduct open air burning will be required:
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Parking |
Parking with the Township is governed by By-law No. 95-72 and No. 06-80, the By-law to Regulate and Control Parking. Courtesy warnings will be issued for initial violations. Subsequent violations may be enforced with the vehicle being towed and removed. Please contact By-law Enforcement Services if you have any questions about a warning you received. Under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990, if a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer discovers a vehicle in contravention of this By-law, the Officer may have it moved or taken to a place of storage. The costs for removing and storage may be charged as a lien upon the vehicle. Please remember this includes interference with snow operations. During the winter season, the following sections of the Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990, will be enforced:
Throughout the year, no person shall park at any time:
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Parking for Disabled Persons |
The purpose of the On and Off-Street Parking for Disabled Persons By-law is to authorize the creation and designation of parking spaces on Municipal property for the exclusive use of those persons who are displaying a permit according to the Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990; and to create special parking exemptions for drivers and operators of vehicles which are displaying a permit according to acts and regulations. The By-law contains Schedule “A”, providing locations of designated parking on municipal property. A reminder that despite special parking provisions may be needed, no person shall park in way that interferes with winter operations. |
Pool Enclosures |
The By-law to Regulate Pool Enclosures with The Township of the Lake of Bays states that pools are defined as constructed outside on private property and capable of holding water deeper than 2 feet at any point. Prior to construction, a Pool Enclosure Permit is required to be applied for and approved. The approved pool shall not be filled or allow water to remain in the pool unless:
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Procurement |
Property Standards |
The Property Standards By-law, effective July 17, 2018, speaks to General standards for all properties as well as Maintenance, Residential Occupancy, and Building Standards. By-law Enforcement Services will seek to gain voluntary compliance in all instances – however, if compliance measures are needed, Notices or Orders may be issued. Notices and Orders are issued in writing, with timelines for compliance stated with the document. Notices are given to address property related violations, and Orders are given to address structure-related violations. |
Provision of Notice |
Public Parks |
The By-law to Regulate Public Parks, is written to provide for the public's enjoyment of township property, and for guidelines for the commercial use of said space under a Municipal Access User Agreement (MAUA). Please remember when in public parks:
A MAUA may be granted after a written application is received, and then approved by Council/staff process. Please refer to the Municipal Access User Agreement for more information. |
Sale and Other Disposition of Land |
Signs and Advertising Devices |
By-law 2018-054, the By-law to Regulate the Size, Use, Location and Maintenance of Signs and Advertising Devices, is an amendment to By-law 2016-042. This by-law regulates all signs within the municipal boundary. The by-law designates between which signs require permits, and which are exempt. If the sign is adjacent to roadways owned by the Ministry of Transport or the District Municipality of Muskoka, approval from these authorities is also required. To apply for a sign permit please refer to the Applications, Licences and Permits page. |
Smoking |
To promote the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Township, the By-law to Prohibit or Regulate Smoking in the Corporation of The Township of the Lake of Bays was enacted in 1995. This by-law designates the following buildings as smoke free:
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Smoking and Vaping |
To promote the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the Township of Lake of Bays, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Lake of Bays passed By-law 2019-034, the "No Smoking on Municipal Property and Water Access Points By-law". |
Special Events |
View our Special Event Permit page. |
Tariff of Fees (Planning) |
By-law 2018-039 Tariff of Fees (Planning) |
Trailers and Camping |
On all lands within the Township that are designated under the Township's Development Permit and Comprehensive Zoning By-laws, excluding areas as per the by-law, the By-law to Prohibit and/or Regulate Trailers and Camping in The Township of the Lake of Bays discusses the use of trailers and the prohibition of camping with the Lake of Bays. The By-law states that the occupation of a trailer may only occur under the authority of a temporary trailer license issued upon issuance of a valid building permit. As to camping, the by-law states that no person shall camp on land owned by The Township of the Lake of Bays or on vacant land within the Township of the Lake of Bays. Camping and the use of trailers is restricted in all zones in the Township other than designated lots. |
Use of Trails in Lake of Bays |
Under the By-law to Establish Regulations for the use of Trails in the Township of Lake of Bays, trail usage is designated as bicycle and foot traffic, with motorized snow vehicles being allowed only under provisions allowed by the by-law. A snowmobile club, group, or federation of snowmobile clubs may apply to Council for the use of a trail for the passage of motorized snow vehicles between November 15th and April 15th in each year. |
Vendor's Permit |
The By-law Respecting the Licensing, Regulating and Governing of Trades, Callings, Businesses and Occupations governs business defined under auctioneer, refreshment vehicle, hawkers & peddlers and transient traders carried on within the municipality. Prior to conducting the above noted business in Lake of Bays, one is required to procure a license issued under the provisions of this by-law. Any premises used by the licensed businesses shall be required to satisfy the Building Code, the Official Plan, Zoning By-law and all other by-law of the Township. Applications, along with the applicable fee, are submitted to Township staff. The license application is approved by staff, with the approved license being required to be posted where business is conducted. Premises and approved license may be inspected by By-law Enforcement Staff at any time during operating hours. |
Zoning By-law |
View our Zoning page for more information. |
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