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# By-law Enforcement
A by-law is a municipal law passed under the authority of a provincial act. By-laws are the laws that govern towns, cities and villages.
## By-law enforcement
The Municipal Law Enforcement Division investigates and enforces municipal by-laws such as parking enforcement, responsible pet owners, property standards, clean and clear, zoning, signs, noise, and licensing by-laws.
Municipal Law Enforcement officers and staff are committed to educating the community about the by-laws and resident responsibilities. Officers follow the Municipal Law Enforcement Policy to ensure a transparent, consistent, fair, unbiased, and effective process for the enforcement and prosecution of relevant laws.
Search the Online By-Law Directory
## Why do we have by-laws?
The Municipality passes by-laws for many reasons, including:
* To ensure public safety
* To eliminate public nuisances
* To regulate through licensing and permits
* To set minimum standards of property maintenance which help protect property value and the general health and safety of the community
## Submit a by-law complaint
Service Clarington
Submit a by-law concern or complaint online at any time by logging in to the Service Clarington portal.
Submit a By-Law Complaint
By Phone
To report your concern or complaint by phone, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2105.
Call Us
In-Person
For in-person service, visit the Municipal Administrative Centre.
Hours of Operation
## Learn more about Clarington's by-laws
Parking
Learn about on-street parking, temporary parking passes and other parking by-laws.
Learn more.
Fences
If you plan to build a fence, make sure you follow the regulations set out in the fence by-law.
Learn more.
Grading and Drainage
The Site Alteration By-law controls changes to the grade of individual properties.
Take a look.
Frequently Requested By-laws
Learn about our most commonly applied regulatory by-laws.
Discover more.
Graffiti
Learn how to report graffiti in your neighbourhood.
Report graffiti.
Special Events
Learn about Clarington's three special event by-laws.
Host a special event.
Tree Removal
Learn what to do if you plan to cut down a tree.
Learn More.
Noise By-Law
The Noise by-law regulates noise across the Municipality.
Learn the rules.
Animal By-laws
Clarington has several by-laws to regulate animal care, control, licensing and what animals a resident can own.
View Animal By-laws.
Long grass and weeds
The Clean and Clear by-law regulates the cleaning of land, including long grass and weeds.
Take a look.
Property Standards
The Property Standards By-law sets a minimum standard for property owners to maintain their buildings and properties.
Learn the standards.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
Property owners have 24 hours after the end of a snowfall to clear snow from sidewalks.
Learn More.
Refreshment Vehicle
To operate a refreshment vehicle, you must apply for an annual or special event licence.
Get a permit.
Fireworks
Learn about how fireworks are regulated and how to get a permit.
Celebrate safely.
Boulevards
Occupants and the Municipality each have a role to play in maintaining boulevards.
Take a look.
Long grass and weeds
The Clean and Clear by-law regulates the cleaning and clearing of land, including long grass and weeds. The length of grass and weeds cannot exceed 20 centimetres (eight inches) on properties in Clarington.
If you come across a property where grass and weeds exceed eight inches, you can log in to the Service Clarington portal to submit a complaint. You will need to provide specific addresses and other details.
After we receive your complaint, a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will attend the site to investigate. If warranted, the Officer will provide the property owner with a written order requiring compliance with the by-law within a specified time. After the specified time, the Officer re-inspects the property. If the problem still exists, we will call a contractor to bring the property up to standard. We will then invoice the property owner for the cost.
Noise Complaints
The Noise by-law regulates noise and sound across the Municipality. Specifically, it outlines acceptable levels of sound that likely won't disturb other residents. For example, you cannot play music at an excessive volume or in a manner that will disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of any other resident in Clarington.
Log in to the Service Clarington portal to submit a complaint. If you wish to have charges laid against someone for violating the by-law, you will be required to attend court and give evidence. We cannot process a charge without you.
## Enforcement Process
If this is your first time reporting a specific noise concern:
* If a violation is observed, believed to have occurred, or is ongoing, a written warning will be issued to the responsible party.
* Once the initial written warning has been issued, the complaint will be closed.
If you are submitting a second or subsequent complaint for a recurring issue:
1. Submit a complaint through the Service Clarington portal
2. Upload a completed Noise Complaint Package through the Supporting Documents tab on the Service Clarington portal, or email the package to [email protected] with the file number associated with the complaint.
**Please note** that the signature and witness section of the noise complaint page must be filled out in writing.
Secondary investigations will not proceed until this documentation is received. If it is not submitted within 14 days, your request will be closed.
Property Standards
The Property Standards By-law sets a minimum standard for property owners to maintain their buildings and properties. We enforce the by-law to protect the health and safety of occupants, the environment and the value of the lands.
Submit a Property standards complaint
## Complaint process
Once we receive a complaint, an officer will inspect the property to see if it follows the standards set out in the by-law. If the property violates the by-law, an Order may be issued requiring the landowner to make any necessary changes or fixes to adhere to the regulations.
If the work is not completed, the Municipality may step in to do the necessary work at the property owner's expense. The cost incurred will be added to the Municipal Tax Roll. Charges may also be laid with a maximum fine, upon conviction, of $50,000 for a first offence for an individual and $100,000 for a corporation.
## Right to appeal
The property owner has a right to appeal an Order. The cost of filing an appeal is $100, with half ($50) refunded if the owner appears at the Appeal Hearing.
We require any Property Standards complaint to be submitted in writing using the form below. This material is confidential and will not be shared with the property owner.
If you're looking for more information on the by-law or want to file a property standards complaint, please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Division.
File an appeal to the Property Standards Committee
Boulevards: What to know before making changes
Did you know the boulevard in front of your home isn't part of your private property? While it may look like an extension of your yard, it's actually public space designed to protect important underground infrastructure.
Before you invest time or money into making changes to your boulevard, please check the rules below or review the Use of Roads and Boulevards By-Law.
## What's allowed?
* Routine maintenance, like mowing the grass
* Keeping it clear and safe for pedestrians and vehicles
* Flowers or vegetables (not exceeding 30 cm in height)
* Sod
* In rural areas, it's okay for ditches to have tall grasses, weeds, bulrushes, and similar natural vegetation--as long as they don't block visibility or affect road drainage.
## What's not allowed?
* Removing, pruning, or damaging the trees or grass
* Changing the grade or installing landscaping (interlock, concrete, asphalt, artificial turf, etc.)
* Installing irrigation systems, drainage pipes, artificial turf or electrical fixtures
If you're thinking about making changes to your boulevard and aren't sure what's allowed, reach out to us first at 905-623-3379 ext. 2105. We're happy to help!
## Property and Boulevard 101
### Occupant Responsibilities
1. **Municipal Boulevard Tree**
Use of Roads and Boulevards By-Law
To be removed or pruned by the Municipality only.
Submit a request on Service Clarington.
2. **Private Property**
Clean and Clear By-law 2019-047
Do not allow grass or weeds to exceed 20cm in height
3. **Municipal Sidewalks**
Snow and Ice Removal By-law 93-144
Boulevard By-law 2013-066
Keep sidewalks clear of snow, ice, and any obstruction within 150mm
4. **Municipal Boulevard Encroachments**
Use of Roads and Boulevards By-Law
Do not encroach on the boulevard with hard landscaping materials, planters or similar objects.
Private Entrance Permit
You must apply for a private entrance permit if you want to cut a curb, widen a driveway or install or replace a culvert.
5. **Municipal Boulevard**
Use of Roads and Boulevards By-Law
Do not allow grass or weeds on boulevard to exceed 20cm in height.
6. **Private Trees, Hedges, Shrubs**
Use of Roads and Boulevards By-Law
Keep trees, hedges, and shrubs from impeding the boulevard and sidewalk.
Stay in touch
From upcoming park openings to local events, development proposals, things to do in Clarington, construction notices and service interruptions - we invite you to learn what's happening in your neighbourhood right from the source.
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