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CONSOLIDATED VERSION to February 28, 2025 - AMENDED BY BY-LAWS:
2013-125, 2015-017, 2019-065, 2020-059, 2021-038, 2021-080, 2022-031, 2025-041
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE
BY-LAW NUMBER 2013-013
A by-law to prescribe rules and regulations for Parks
within the Town of Oakville
and to repeal By-law 1999-159, as amended.
COUNCIL ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. In this by-law:
(a.i) "Administrative Penalties for Non-Parking Violations and Orders
By-law" means By-law 2021-038, or successor by-laws; (By-law 2021-038)
(a) "Council" means The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Oakville;
(a.1) "Cannabis" has the same meaning as in Subsection 2 (1) of the Cannabis
Act (Canada); (By-law 2019-065)
(b) "Director" means the Director, Parks and Open Space appointed by
Council or that person's designate;
(b.2) "electronic cigarette" or "E-Cigarette" means a vaporizer or inhalant-type
device, whether called an electronic cigarette or any other name, that
contains a power source and heating element designed to heat a
substance and produce a vapour intended to be inhaled by the user of the
device directly through the mouth, whether or not the vapour contains
nicotine; (By-law 2019-065)
(c) "enforcement officer" means a commissionaire, assistant, or any officer or
civilian person engaged by the Halton Regional Police Services or the
Municipality, to enforce or carry out the provisions of this By-law or any
parts thereof;
(d) "Harbour" means each harbor operated by the Town including: Bronte
Harbour, located just off breakwaters: Lat. 43°23.55 min. North, Long.
79°42.32 min. West and Oakville Harbour , located just off breakwaters:
Lat. 43°26.31 min. North, Long. 79°39.92 min. West, and all Town
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 2
harbours that may be subject to a licensing or other agreement governing
the use of the premises;
(d.1) Deleted by By-law 2021-038
(e) "motor vehicle" includes an automobile, motorcycle, motor assisted bicycle,
power assisted bicycle and any other vehicle propelled or driven otherwise
than by muscular power, but does not include a motorized snow vehicle
nor a power-assisted wheelchair;
(f) "motorized snow vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed to be
driven exclusively on snow or ice or both;
(g) "Park" includes all public parks, gardens, gores, trails, valleys, squares,
athletic fields, harbor lands and recreation grounds within the Town of
Oakville under the management and control of the Parks and Open Space
Department of the Town, and "Parkland" shall mean land within a Park;
(h) "park" or "parking", when prohibited, means the standing of a vehicle,
whether occupied or not, except when standing temporarily for the purpose
of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or
passengers;
(h.1) "penalty notice" means a notice issued pursuant to the provisions
of the Administrative Penalties for Non-Parking Violations and Orders By-
law; (By-law 2021-038)
(i) "Permit" means the written authorization or permission of the Director and
includes any conditions or terms imposed by the Director;
(i.1) "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, and an
association, and includes a licensee or an authorized representative
thereof; (By-law 2021-038)
(j) "roadway" means an area that is physically laid out or improved for use by
vehicular traffic except where posted as a service road for Town vehicles
only;
Deleted by By-law 2021-038
(j.1) "Smoke" and "Smoking" include the carrying, holding, inhaling or exhaling
of lighted cannabis (medical or recreational), a lighted cigar, cigarette,
water pipe, pipe, electronic cigarette or any other lighted smoking
equipment; (By-law 2019-065)
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 3
(k) "stand" or "standing", when prohibited, means the halting of a vehicle even
momentarily, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid
conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police
officer, traffic control device or traffic signal;
(l) "Town" means The Corporation of the Town of Oakville and "Municipality"
shall have the same meaning;
(l.1) "use" with respect to electronic cigarettes, includes any of the following:
1. inhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette;
2. exhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette; and
3. holding an activated electronic cigarette; (By-law 2019-065)
(m)"vehicle" includes a motor vehicle, trailer, bicycle and any vehicle drawn,
propelled or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power, but
excludes a baby carriage or cart, a child's wagon, child's sleigh or other
conveyance of like nature, roller blades or skateboards;
2. The Parks of the Town are for the benefit and pleasure of all persons who
shall be subject to the rules and regulations passed therefor.
2.1
This By-law is a Designated By-law under the Administrative Penalties for
Non-Parking Violations and Orders By-law. (By-law 2021-038)
Games
3.
(a) No person shall engage in playing any game such as baseball, basketball,
cricket, croquet, football, golf, rugby, soccer, tennis, nor any other game
that involves the projection of any object through the air, such as archery,
except in areas designated by the Director and in which facilities have
been installed by the Town specifically for such purposes.
(b) The Director may impose limits on the age, size or number of persons
permitted to engage in any of the games specified in paragraph 3(a) at any
given location, having regard to the capacity of the Park facilities and the
safety of the public. Any such restrictions shall be posted in the area of the
Park facilities by sign. No person shall play a game in a Park contrary to
any restrictions posted under this paragraph without the written
authorization of the Director. This paragraph shall not apply to prevent
activities necessary or incidental to coaching participants in a team game
or practice conducted pursuant to a Permit.
(c) A Permit shall be required for team games and practices. Team games
and practices shall only be played in areas specifically designated by the
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 4
Director and in which facilities have been installed by the Town specifically
for such purpose. No person shall conduct any team game or practice
without a Permit or other than in accordance with the terms of the Permit
and the provisions of this paragraph.
(d) While a team game or practice is in progress pursuant to a Permit issued
by the Director, no other person shall use the designated area otherwise
interfere with the conduct of such game or practice.
(e) Where a Permit allows for a team game or practice to use lights in a Park,
no person responsible for the team game or practice shall leave the Park
without turning off the lights at the end of the game or practice.
Fitness Classes
4.
(a) A Permit shall be required for all fitness classes run in a Park. All activities
of the fitness class shall be only conducted in areas specifically designated
by the Director. No person shall conduct a fitness class without a Permit or
other than in accordance with the terms of the Permit and the provisions of
this clause.
(b) While a fitness class is in progress pursuant to a Permit issued by the
Director, no other person shall use the designated area or otherwise
interfere with the conduct of the fitness class.
Picnics and Camping
5.
(a) Every person holding a picnic within a Park shall hold the picnic within
areas designated by the Director for such purposes.
(b) Where more than 25 persons are holding a picnic, the person or persons
conducting the picnic shall obtain a Permit from the Director indicating the
location designated for the picnic, and shall keep the Permit available for
inspection during the picnic. No other person shall use a designated picnic
area or otherwise interfere with a picnic conducted pursuant to a Permit.
(c) No person shall camp or lodge in any Park, erect any tent or other
structure, or use Parkland for such tent or structure except with the written
permission of the Director.
Fires
6.
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 5
(a) No person shall light, make or use a fire or barbeque in any Park, except in
fire pits or barbeques or other places specifically provided by the Town for
such purposes or as approved by the Director.
(b) No person shall use a propane or gas barbeque in any Park.
(c) No person present when a fire is lit or while a fire is being maintained shall
i. allow the fire to get out of control, or
ii. leave the fire unless the fire is either carefully supervised by another
person or extinguished.
Animals
7.
(a) No person, being the owner of or responsible for any dog or cat, shall
permit such dog or cat to be in any Park unless led on a leash or chain of a
length not exceeding two metres (6 feet 6 inches).
(b) Despite paragraph 7(a), an owner of a dog is not required to keep a dog
leashed within an enclosed, fences area that is posted with signs
designating the area as a "leash free zone" by the Town of Oakville. This
exemption does not apply to dogs which are the subject of specific leash
requirements pursuant to another by-law, legislation or order.
(c) No person may bring more than two (2) dogs into a leash free zone at the
same time.
(d) No person shall lead, carry or otherwise take any animal, with the
exception of a dog or cat, in, upon, or into any Park, unless permitted by
the Director.
(e) No person owning or having under his or her supervision any dog shall
allow said dog to deposit any excrement in a Park, unless such excrement
is immediately removed and disposed of.
Protection of Property
8. No person shall, in any Park engage in the following activities, permit or direct
someone to engage in the following activities or otherwise use Parkland for the
following purposes:
(a) remove, injure, climb or destroy any tree, flower, shrub, or other plant;
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 6
(b) destroy, cut, mark, break, burn or in any way damage, injure, remove or
deface any monument, fountain, bridge, wall, seat, bench, structure or
article of Park equipment or any appurtenance thereto;
(c) hunt, pursue, disturb, molest, move, attempt to maim or kill, any bird or
animal, or remove or injure any bird's nest or eggs;
(d) scatter, drop or leave in any portion of a Park, except in receptacles
provided for that purpose, any refuse, ashes, paper, bottles, cans or
rubbish of any kind;
(e) throw into a pool, fountain, pond, lake or stream anything that is likely to
injure any person or pollute the water;
(f) cause or permit any encroachment onto Parkland including but not limited
to compost piles or compost containers, woodpiles, fences, sheds, or any
other buildings;
(g) cause or permit an obstruction that could block or dissuade access for the
public to any Park through any means;
(h) dump, deposit, pile or scatter grass clipping, soil, stone, snow, brush,
motor oil, propane tanks, batteries, paints, or any collectible or non-
collectible waste;
(i) feed any wildlife, including coyotes and waterfowl such as geese or ducks;
(j) mow grass, cut or remove any wood, plant, turf, grass, soil, rock, mineral,
sand or gravel;
(k) let off or discharge any water so that it runs waste or useless from or out of
any reservoir, pond, lake or other receptacle for water onto Parkland; or
(l) discharge water from a private swimming pool, hot tub or other receptacle
onto Parkland.
9. No person shall, in any Park, except with the written permission of the Director
engage in the following activities, permit or direct any one to engage in the
following activities or otherwise use Parkland for the following purposes;
(a) plant trees, bushes, shrubs or other plants;
(b) erect or otherwise use Parkland for any structure;
(c) deposit or keep any chattel including but not limited to lawn furniture,
fountains, railroad ties, landscape features and benches on Parkland;
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 7
(d) alter any Park fence; or
(e) install a gate onto Parkland. Gates are not permitted onto Parkland
classified as "natural Parkland' In all other locations, gates may be
permitted with the permission of the Director.
10. A person who has contravened a provision of clause 8(d), 8(e), 8(f), 8(g) or
Section 9 and failed to correct the contravention by removing the prohibited item
shall be deemed to be using Parkland for the purposes of Sections 8 and 9.
Conduct
11. No person shall, in any Park:
(a) indulge in riotous, boisterous, threatening or indecent conduct, or use
abusive, threatening or profane language, or accost or annoy any person
or in any other manner interfere with the peaceable enjoyment of the Park
by others.
(b) create a nuisance by loitering, spying, frightening, annoying or generally
making himself or herself objectionable to other persons;
(c) Smoke tobacco, cannabis or use an electronic cigarette in any area where
signs are posted prohibiting smoking; (By-law 2019-065)
(d) notwithstanding whether any signs are posted prohibiting smoking, smoke
tobacco, cannabis or use and electronic cigarette in any area within twenty
(20) metres of a playground, splash pad, basketball court, tennis court,
sports field or any sporting area, spectator area adjacent to sporting area,
area primarily used for the purposes of children's recreation, or other place
where children tend to congregate; (By-law 2019-065)
(e) have in his or her possession any air horn or similar device;
(f) be present in any Park between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the forenoon,
except as a participant or spectator of any function approved by the
Director. Upon the completion of such function every person shall promptly
leave the Park; (By-law 2021-080)
(g) enter any place where a sign prohibiting admittance or trespassing is
displayed or where entry is otherwise prohibited or restricted;
(h) distribute any hand bills or circulars or post any bills, notices or advertising
devices of any kind, without the written permission of the Director;
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 8
(i) expose for sale, offer or sell merchandise of any kind, for immediate or
future delivery, or sell or offer any art, skill or service to be exercised or
performed immediately or in the future, or solicit or conduct any trade,
occupation or business of any kind, without the written permission of the
Director;
(j) bring into, or be found in any Park with any firearm, fireworks, air rifle,
slingshot, rocket, bow and arrow, catapult, axe, or other instrument of
destruction, except with the written permission of the Director;
(k) bring alcohol or illegal drugs in any Park. Alcohol is only permitted for
special occasions with the approval of Council and in compliance with any
applicable legislation governing the control of alcohol; or
(l) rollerblade or skateboard within an area designated by the Director and
marked by signage prohibiting these activities.
Vehicles
12.
(a) No person shall, in any Park:
i. ride or drive any vehicle except upon the roadways provided, however,
nothing herein contained shall prevent the riding of bicycles on pathways,
walkways or trails unless they are designated as non-bicycle pathways,
walkways or trails by signs erected or posted by the Town;
ii. park or stand any motor vehicle other than upon the roadways or
designated parking lots;
iii. park or stand any passenger bus or school bus, including upon a
roadway or in a designated parking lot, unless in relation to a special
event permit, without the written permission of the Director;
iv. park or stand any motor vehicle upon a roadway where prohibited by
signs erected or posted by the Town;
v. park or stand any vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct traffic or
impede pedestrian travel;
vi. drive a vehicle in excess of 16 km per hour (10 miles per hour), unless
otherwise posted;
vii. park any vehicle at any time between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. except with the
written authorization of the Director; (By-law 2021-080)
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 9
viii. wash, paint, repair, service or lubricate any vehicle;
ix. instruct or give driving lessons to any person;
x. drive a motorized snow vehicle; or
xi. drive a motorized vehicle in a parking lot for any purpose other than the
parking of the motor vehicle or exiting the parking lot.
xii. park any vehicle without displaying a valid license plate (By-law 2021-080)
xiii. park any vehicle in a wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition (By-
law 2021-080)
xiv. park a commercial vehicle except with the written authorization of the
Director; (By-law 2021-080)
xv. park without launch ramp pass in areas signed for launch ramp parking;
(By-law 2021-080)
xvi. park without season pass in areas signed for season pass parking; (By-
law 2021-080)
(b) Upon discovery of any vehicle parked in contravention of the provisions of
this by-law, an enforcement officer may provide for the removal and
impounding of the vehicle in accordance with Towing Without the Vehicle
Owner's Consent By-law 2024-187. (By-law 2025-041)
(c) Notwithstanding subsection 12(a), the Director may provide written
authorization for the operation of any vehicle in a Park subject to such
terms and conditions as deemed appropriate by the Director. (By-law 2013-
125)
Bicycles
13.
(a) No person shall ride a cycle in a Park unless:
i.
the bicycle is equipped with at least one brake system acting on the
rear wheel that will enable the rider to make the braked wheel skid on
level and clean pavement;
ii.
the bicycle is equipped with an alarm bell, gong or horn, which shall be
kept in good working order and sounded whenever it is necessary to
notify pedestrians or others of its approach;
iii.
the bicycle is equipped with a light in good working order;
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 10
iv.
the person is wearing a helmet that complies with the regulations for
bicycle helmets applicable under the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990,
c. H.8, as amended, and the chin strap of the helmet is securely
fastened under the chin.
(b) Notwithstanding (a), BMX bicycles when ridden in a portion of a Park
designated for BMX bicycles, do not need to have the equipment
contemplated by paragraph 13(a)(ii) and paragraph 13(a)(iii).
(c) In a Park, no person riding a bicycle designed for carrying one person only
shall carry another person thereon.
(d) No person shall leave a bicycle in a place likely to cause danger or
inconvenience to other persons.
(e) No person shall ride a bicycle on any pier or wharf within or adjoining the
limits of the Town.
(f) Every rider of a bicycle, when approaching a pedestrian on a pathway,
walkway or trail, shall give adequate warning of their approach and shall
take every necessary precaution to avoid a collision and shall give the
pedestrian(s) the right-of-way.
Swimming, Fishing and Sailboats
14.
(a) No person shall:
i. swim, bathe, wash, or fish in or from any Park except in or from those
areas so designated for such purpose and during such seasons as may
be designated by the Director and otherwise permitted by law;
ii. dive from any pier;
iii. fish, step or unstep a mast of a sailboat from any public road allowance
that may pass through, above, or be adjacent to Parkland; or
iv. launch or haul any power boat, sailboat or other vessel in or from any
park without first obtaining a launch ramp pass.
(b) Without limiting the effect of paragraph 14(a)(i), no person shall swim or
bathe in any Harbour.
(c) In order to obtain a launch ramp pass required for paragraph 14(a)(iv), a
person shall purchase either:
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 11
i.
a daily ticket from the on-site machine at a fee in accordance with the
then current fee schedule; or
ii.
a season pass in such form as the Director may designate and shall
pay such fee as may be payable in accordance with the then current
fee schedule.
Winter Sports
15. No person shall snow board, skate, ski, sleigh, toboggan or engage in other
winter sports in any Park except in those areas designated by signage for that
purpose.
Park Facilities
16. Picnic tables, playground equipment and other Park facilities are provided for the
use of the general public. No person shall unduly restrict the use of any Park
facilities by any other person except with the written permission of the Director.
16.1 Orders: (By-law 2021-038)
(a)
Where an Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a contravention of
this By-law has occurred, the Officer may issue an order to the person
contravening this By-law in accordance with the provisions of the
Administrative Penalties for Non- Parking Violations and Orders By-law.
(b)
Any person who contravenes an order under this By-law is guilty of an offence.
General
17. Nothing in this by-law shall prevent Town employees from maintaining the Parks
or engaging in activities authorized by Council.
18. Any person using any Park does so entirely at his or her own risk, and the Council
and the Town shall not be liable in any way or any action, cause of action, claim
or demand, for, upon or by reason of any damage, loss or injury that any time
may be sustained by any person using a Park either with or without permission in
consequence of any accident or injury.
19. The Director shall entertain applications and where the Director deems it
expedient in the best interests of the inhabitants of the Town may issue a facility
Permit of such form as may be in use at the time and in accordance with the
current fee schedule granting the exclusive use of a Park or portion thereof to a
person upon such terms and conditions the Council deems expedient.
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 12
19.1 An Officer who finds or has reasonable cause to believe that a person has
contravened any provision of this By-law, including any Schedules, may issue a
penalty notice to the person. (By-law 2021-038)
19.2 Each person who has been issued a penalty notice shall, upon issuance of the
penalty notice, be liable to pay an administrative penalty to the Town in the
amount of $300 or as revised in the Town's rates and fees schedule. (By-law
2021-038)
19.3 If an Officer has issued a penalty notice under subsection 19.1 of this By-law and
has reasonable cause to believe that the same person has contravened the
same provisions of this By-law, including any Schedules, for a second time within
twenty-four (24) months of the date the first penalty notice is deemed to be
served, the Officer may issue a second penalty notice to the person. (By-law
2021-038)
19.4 Upon issuance of the second penalty notice, the person shall be liable to pay an
administrative penalty to the Town in the amount of $400 or as revised in the
Town's rates and fees schedule. (By-law 2021-038)
19.5 If an Officer has issued a penalty notice under subsection 19.3 of this By-law and
has reasonable cause to believe that the same person has contravened the
same provision of this By-law, including any Schedules, for a third or subsequent
time within twenty-four (24) months of the date the second penalty notice is
deemed to be served, the Officer may issue a third or subsequent penalty notice
to the person. (By-law 2021-038)
19.6 Upon issuance of a third or subsequent penalty notice, the person shall be liable
to pay an administrative penalty to the Town in the amount of $500 or as revised
in the Town's rates and fees schedule. (By-law 2021-038)
19.6.1 A person who has been issued a penalty notice under this By-law may request
a review of the penalty notice in accordance with the Administrative Penalties
for Non-Parking Violations and Orders By-law. (By-law 2022-031)
19.7 Service of any penalty notice, order, or any other notice may be given as
specified in the Administrative Penalties for Non-Parking Violations and Orders
By-law. (By-law 2021-038)
19.8-19.23 deleted by By-law 2021-038
20. Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this by-law is guilty of an
offence. Every person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of not more than
$5,000 exclusive of costs as provided in the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990,
c. P.33.
By-Law Number: 2013-013
Page 13
21. By-law 1999-159 of The Corporation of the Town of Oakville, and all amending
by-laws thereto, including without limitation By-laws 2005-197, 2009-138, 2010-
066 and 2012-014, are hereby repealed.
22. This by-law may be cited as the "Parks By-law".
PASSED this 25th day of March, 2013
______________________________
____________________________
Rob Burton
MAYOR
Vicki Tytaneck
A/CLERK