By-law 5783-91 - Street Use By-law (office consolidation)
Smiths Falls, Ontario
· adopted 1991-10-21
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OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 1
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF SMITHS FALLS
By-Law No. 5783-91
A By-law to regulate the use of streets in the Town of Smiths Falls.
Whereas Part XVII, Section 210, of the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1980 authorizes Council to pass by-
laws to regulate the maintenance of, and safety of persons and/or property upon Town streets.
NOW THEREFORE the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls enacts
as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply for the purpose of this by-law:
a)
"Boulevards" means all such parts of the streets of the Town between the curb or edge of the
roadway and the street line as have been improved by seeding, sodding, or otherwise
landscaped either by the Corporation or by any owner or occupant of land in front of whose
property such improvement may be made.
b)
"Emergency" means any unforeseen circumstance or occurrence, the existence of which
constitutes a clear and immediate danger to people or property.
c)
"Person" includes any individual, partnership, firm, association, utility, corporation and their
heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives of a person to whom the
context can apply according to law.
d)
"Ramp" means any asphalt or concrete material which is added to the road surface, to
provide access to a driveway or entrance.
e)
"Street" shall include the entire width of municipally owned property, commonly called a
right-of-way and shall include a common and public highway, avenue, parkway, driveway,
square, place, bridge, viaduct, or trestle designed and intended for, or used by the general
public for the passage of vehicles. Sidewalks shall be encompassed in this classification.
f)
"Lane" shall mean the entire width of municipally owned property which is below the
standard width requirement of a street and is primarily designed and intended for use as an
access way to local properties.
g)
"Sidewalk" means that portion of a street which is designed and constructed for the sole use
of pedestrian traffic.
h)
"Town" shall mean the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls.
I)
"Town Engineer or Engineer" means the person duly appointed by the Municipal Council of
the Town of Smiths Falls or his designated representative or inspector.
j)
"Vehicle" shall include a motor vehicle, trailer, traction engine, farm tractor, road building
machine, and any vehicle drawn, propelled, or driven by power, including muscular power,
but specifically excluding baby carriages, tricycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, carts, express
wagons, roller skates, scooters and skate boards.
2. REGULATIONS
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
This is an office consolidation of the Sign By-law and amendments thereto which has been prepared
for convenience only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained herein, reference should be made to the original by-law and all amending by-laws for
legal purposes.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 2
a)
No person shall run, draw or push any vehicle upon any sidewalk.
b)
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons riding or propelling any bicycle on any of the
public streets to carry any child on said bicycle unless the child is in a child seat designed for
that purpose and approved by the Town Police Department. A child shall not be drawn
behind a bicycle in any form of a cart or trailer. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful to carry
passengers on a bicycle unless that bicycle is specifically designed for multiple riders.
c)
No person shall use the streets or sidewalks for recreational purposes or crowd or shove
other foot passengers, so as to create discomfort, disturbance, or confusion.
d)
No person shall distribute any paper, handbills, dodgers, or paper advertisement by
scattering, throwing, or dropping the same upon any street.
e)
No person shall transport equipment on Town streets or sidewalks unless that person
provides protection for those streets and sidewalks adequate to prevent damage to municipal
property. (By-law No. 5939-93)
f)
No person shall place or replace any asphalt or concrete ramp on Town property for the
purpose of facilitating access to their property. Temporary ramps may be permitted at the
discretion of the Town Engineer. (By-law No. 7237-97)
g)
To prevent pedestrians from crossing boulevards at the corners of streets or lanes and
injuring themselves, or damaging property, the owner or occupant of a premises situated at
the intersection of the streets or lanes may erect and if so erected shall maintain a suitable
fence or hedge or railing approved by the Engineer, provided that the fence or hedge so
erected is at a distance of not less than 10 metres from the intersection of the street limits and
shall not obstruct the view of the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection. (By-law
No. 5939-93)
h)
No person shall wilfully break, injure, dig up or destroy the sod, grass, fence, hedge or
railing on any boulevard except that the owner of a property may, with the permission of the
Town Engineer, construct a concrete or asphalt walk or driveway between the Town's
sidewalk and a building.
i)
No person shall encumber, obstruct, injure, or foul, by animals, vehicles, debris or other
means, any street or boulevard.
j)
No person shall permit a vehicle to remain stopped on any highway (unless in a designated
parking zone) on or over a sidewalk, footpath, or within an intersection, pedestrian crossover
or crosswalk.
k)
No person shall damage any awning, post, or other erection, legally placed in any public
street or place.
l)
No person shall demolish, build or repair a structure adjacent to Town streets without first
constructing hoarding of sufficient quality to prevent injury to pedestrians and vehicular
traffic as in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, May 10, 1991, Chapter 321,
Section 21 to 26 or amendments thereto. The Contractor shall notify the Engineering
Department at least 24 hours in advance of any such construction in order that adequate
inspection of provisions for public safety may be made.
i)
If construction is adjacent to a sidewalk, adequate overhead protection shall be
provided so that the sidewalk is not obstructed.
ii)
If overhead protection is not provided and the sidewalk is obstructed a user fee will
be charged.
iii)
The user fee for such obstruction of the sidewalk shall be as set out in Schedule "A"
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 3
attached hereto. (By-law No. 7013-95)
iv)
The person installing the hoarding or overhead protection shall agree to save the
Town, its officers, employees, and agents harmless from any and all costs, damages
and liabilities which may accrue or be claimed to accrue by reason of any work
performed under said construction project.
v)
The user fee may, with the approval of Council, by changed for time to time.
m)
No person shall construct any building or any part thereof in such a way so as to encroach
upon municipal property.
i)
Where in the opinion of the Town Engineer an encroachment may occur onto Town
property, a person intending to undertake a new construction on his/her property
shall verify the property boundary through a qualified Ontario Land Surveyor. A
copy of the survey plan thus generated shall be submitted by the property owner to
the Town's Engineering Department.
ii)
If a building is erected and projects beyond the municipal property line, the person
erecting the building shall remove the building from the Town property. Every
twenty-four hours that the building remains on Town property is deemed a separate
offence against this By-law.
n)
No person, firm or corporation shall move, or cause to be moved, or assist in moving, any
heavy vehicle, load, object or structure in excess of the dimensional limits set out in Section
109, Part VIII of the Highway Traffic Act onto, along or across any street, boulevard or
sidewalk in the Town of Smiths Falls unless such person, firm, or corporation obtains a
permit from the Town Engineer. Every permit holder shall continue to comply with the
requirements and obligations under which the permit was issued. Such permit shall be
attached hereto as Schedule "B". The application fee for such permit shall be as set out in
Schedule "A" hereto. (By-law No. 7013-95)
o)
No person shall erect a barbed wire fence in the Town of Smiths Falls. Notwithstanding the
above, a barbed wire fence may be constructed where in the opinion of the Town Engineer,
such is warranted.
p)
No person shall dig up or remove from any public street, park, square, lane, alley or place,
any turf, sod, earth, stone, gravel, grass, trees or shrubs without the permissions of the Town
Engineer.
(q)
No person shall break, excavate, displace, remove, take up or shift any street, sidewalk,
crossing, curbstone, grate or pavement in any street or public place until an Excavation
Permit has been obtained from the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls. Such a permit
will be granted when the applicant complies with the following:
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 4
i)
Provides a sketch showing location and proposed area of trench to be excavated or
area of land to be affected by the work,
ii)
Pays to the Town the cost of the cut permit fee, calculated according to the rates set
forth in Schedule "A".
iii)
Submits to the Town Engineer a satisfactory performance bond or a certified cheque
in the amount specified which shall guarantee that the applicant will observe all
requirements of this by-law. In addition to the foregoing the applicant shall also
submit an insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for public liability for
bodily injury and property damage. The Town Engineer shall have the authority to
decide if one performance policy shall be required for each street cut or if it shall be
sufficient to require these to be submitted once a year only.
iv)
Provides the Town Engineer with written approval for the commencement of the
work from the Smiths Falls Water Commission, the Bell Telephone Company of
Canada and Ottawa Gas. The Smiths Falls Hydro Commission, Smiths Falls Water
Commission, Bell Telephone Company of Canada and Ottawa Gas may be exempt
from the above requirements at the discretion of and under conditions imposed by the
Town Engineer.
v)
Notifies the Town Engineer the day before opening cut and further gives 2 hours
notice of intention to backfill trench. Notwithstanding the above, all connections and
piping shall be inspected by Town forces before being backfilled and all inspections
will be done during normal working hours of Town Forces.
r)
No person shall construct an entrance onto any street, boulevard, sidewalk, or public place,
or alter any municipal drainage ditch, boulevard or sidewalk or alter, in any way to provide
an access from a municipal street to private lands, unless or until an Entrance/Alteration
Permit has been obtained from the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls. (By-law No.
7237-97)
(s)
Any person, firm or corporation that breaks, excavates, displaces, removes takes up or shifts,
any street, sidewalk, crossing, curbstone, grate or pavement, or causes any of the foregoing
to be done, in any street or public place in the Town, shall observe the following
requirements during the execution of the work.
i)
Shall arrange for the removal and/or disposal of all excess materials to an appropriate
disposal site.
ii)
Shall not pile excavated material on Town streets without permission of the Town
Engineer.
iii)
Shall comply with the requirements of all other Town by-laws.
iv)
Shall maintain access to private properties.
v)
Shall reduce to a minimum inconveniences to motor traffic and pedestrians by
expedition of work and by provisions of temporary bridging if latter is required by
Town Engineer.
vi)
Shall keep open at all times at least half of travelled portion of road where required
by Town Engineer.
vii)
Shall compact backfill in layers to avoid undue subsequent settlement. Provided that
if undue settlement occurs at a later date because of poor backfilling, he shall be
required to pay additional charge for repair of same.
viii)
Shall not undertake blasting except under the inspection of all affected utilities and
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 5
with the permission of the Town Engineer. All liability for damage caused or created
by such blasting shall be the responsibility of the person or company to whom the cut
permit is issued.
ix)
Shall have experienced personnel, approved by the Town Engineer, on site during all
blasting.
x)
Shall exclude from backfill -- frozen material, organic matter, rock larger than will
pass through a 300 mm ring, silt, mud or clay in fluid state. Where deemed
necessary by the Town Engineer, the Contractor shall, at his own expense, replace
part or all of the excavated material with sand or crushed stone backfill.
xi)
Shall fill with approved granular material 600 mm sub-base of maximum 100 mm pit
run gravel (Granular "B") and 300 mm base of maximum 19 mm crushed gravel
(Granular "A") in travelled portion of road.
xii)
Shall fill with crushed stone the top 200 mm of trench in road shoulders and
gravelled boulevards.
xiii)
Shall fill with topsoil the top 150 mm of trench in grass boulevard and lawn areas.
xiv)
Shall remove during and on completion of work, all surplus material and the area
shall be cleaned to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer.
xv)
Shall repair promptly all damage to either Town or private property and shall restore
ditches, culverts and driveway entrances to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer.
xvi)
Shall comply with the requirements of the Town of Smiths Falls, when constructing
or connecting a sewer or drain or water service in any street or public place.
xvii)
Shall comply with the requirements of all appropriate Provincial and Federal
legislation.
xviii) Any person excavating on a street or part of the road allowance, or using equipment
in connection therewith, or equipment on a street or part of the road allowance, in
connection with any building or renovations of any building, shall barricade and light
such excavations or equipment as the case may be by at least one flashing light,
visible in both directions on the street for at least 30 meters, and in addition, shall
provide for a reflectorized area, visible also in both directions on such street, which
shall be of some florescent material such as scotchlite or some other material.
t)
When a street or part of a street is being repaired, or constructed and where it is necessary
and expedient in the judgement of the Town Engineer that such street or part of street be
closed for traffic while the work is in progress:
i)
The Contractor shall apply to Council, in writing, for permission to enact such
closure.
ii)
The Contractor shall notify the appropriate Services, Departments and Companies
affected by the construction.
iii)
The Contractor shall place and erect suitable and sufficient barriers along and across
the street or part of the street.
iv)
The Contractor shall post notices that the street or part of the street is closed to
traffic.
v)
The Contractor shall observe all applicable provisions of the Manual of Uniform
Traffic Control Devices and the Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 6
vi)
The Contractor shall accept responsibility for site safety and make good any damage
resulting from or incidental to his activities.
vii)
No person shall (unless in the case of an emergency) enter upon or travel over or
upon any street or part of a street which is closed to traffic unless permission is
granted by the Town Engineer.
u)
No unauthorized person shall post any notices, or climb on any public owned street lamp
post, telephone pole, street light, or power pole, railing or fence along a street.
v)
No person shall deposit snow, ice, grass cuttings, brush, sand or gravel, leaves or other
material onto any sidewalk or street in the Town.
w)
No person shall allow ice or snow to accumulate on the roof or eaves of such buildings in
such a manner as to pose a danger to passers-by. Every person while removing or having
such snow or ice removed, shall take due care and precaution for the warning and safety of
said passers-by. The owner of every such building shall take full onus and that the
Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls shall not be liable for any incident that might occur.
3. CONTRAVENTION
a)
The Town Engineer may order any person in contravention of this by-law to forthwith cease
and desist form the contravention and to restore or replace the street, boulevard or sidewalk
to its proper condition.
b)
Notwithstanding clause 3(a) and any order issued pursuant thereto, any person violating any
of the provisions of this by-law, either by doing any act forbidden or by failing to do any act
required by this by-law is guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a penalty
pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act. Set fines may be established for certain offences
contained in this by-law. Such set fines shall be established pursuant to the Provincial
Offences Act. The Town reserves the right to dispense with the set fine and to seek a higher
penalty through the courts if deemed advisable. (By-law No. 7013-95)
c)
Each and every day that this infraction exists may be considered a separate offence under this
By-law.
d)
In addition to the above and pursuant to section 326 of the Municipal Act, in default of any
matter or thing being done by the person, directed or required to do it, such matter or thing
may be done at the person's expense and the Town may recover the expense incurred doing
it by action or the same may be recovered in like matter as municipal taxes. (By-law No.
7013-95)
4. SEVERABILITY
a)
The provisions of this by-law are severable. If any provision, section or word is held to be
invalid or illegal, such invalidity or illegality shall not affect or impair any of the remaining
provisions, sections or words.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE
a)
The provisions of this by-law shall come into force and take effect upon the passing thereof.
b)
By-law No. 3274-64 as amended is hereby rescinded and where the terms of any by-law
passed prior to this by-law conflict with this by-law, the terms of this by-law shall prevail.
Read a first and second time this 7th day of October, 1991.
Read a third time and PASSED this 21st day of October, 1991.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 7
__________________________
Mayor
______________________________
Clerk
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 8
SCHEDULE A TO BY-LAW NO. 5783-91
DEPOSIT/FEE SCHEDULE (BY-LAW 7013-95)
EXCAVATION PERMIT
1.
The deposit is refundable in full (less $20.00 administration charge) upon inspection and
approval by Public Works superintendent of the excavation and of its satisfactory
reinstatement to the original condition.
2.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to arrange for inspections by Public Works.
Reinstatement without adequate inspection at required stages of the project may oblige the
permit holder to re-excavate the work. Critical stages of the project are considered to be:
i)
when the excavation is open and the installation is commencing, prior to being
backfilled
ii)
during placement of asphalt/P.C. concrete/sod
DEPOSIT RATES
1.
Asphalt Roads
$70.00 m²
2.
Concrete Roads
$95.00 m²
3.
Concrete Sidewalks
$95.00 m²
4.
Asphalt Sidewalks
$50.00 m²
5.
Concrete Curb
$50.00 m²
6.
Concrete Curb & Gutter
$75.00 m²
7.
Asphalt Driveway
$25.00 m²
8.
Sod
$70.00 m²
9.
Sawcut Trimming of Cuts
$6.25 m²
10.
Asphalt Overlay (settlement repairs)
$10.00 m²
SIDEWALK USE
The user fee shall be calculated at a rate of $0.80 per square metre per day and shall include roadway
obstruction.
OVERSIZE/OVERWEIGHT PERMIT
The oversize/overweight permit application fee shall be $15.00
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 9
SCHEDULE "B" TO
STREET USE BY-LAW NO. 5783-91
TARIFF OF FEES
The following fees associated with Street Use By-law No. 5783-91 are hereby applicable:
1.
Entrance / Alteration Permit
$20.00
(Refer to section 2(s) of the by-law)
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 10
By-Law No. 5939-93
1.
That By-law No. 5783-91 be and the same is hereby amended by:
1.1 deleting section 2(g) in its entirety and replacing same with the following:
2(g) "To prevent pedestrians from crossing boulevards at the corners of
streets or lanes and injuring themselves, or damaging property, the owner or
occupant of a premises situated at the intersection of the streets or lanes may
erect and if so erected shall maintain a suitable fence, hedge, railing or other
object or vegetation approved by the Engineer, provided that any such item
so erected is a t a distance of not less than 10 metres from the intersection of
the street limits and shall not obstruct the view of the driver of a vehicle
approaching the intersection."
1.2 adding the following section 2(e) and renumbering the by-law accordingly;
2(e) "No person shall transport equipment on Town streets or sidewalks
unless that person provides protection for those streets and sidewalks
adequate to prevent damage to municipal property."
2.
That the provisions of this by-law shall come into force and take effect upon the passing
thereof.
Read a first and second time this 17th day of May, 1993.
Read a third time and passed this 17th day of May, 1993.
By-law No. 7237-97
1.
That By-law No. 5783-91 be and the same is hereby amended by:
1.1
adding a new clause 2(r) as follows:
"2(r) No person shall construct an entrance onto any street, boulevard, sidewalk, or
public place, or alter any municipal drainage ditch, boulevard or sidewalk or alter, in
any way to provide an access from a municipal street to private lands, unless or until
an Entrance/Alteration Permit has been obtained form the Corporation of the Town
of Smiths Falls."
1.2
renumbering former clauses 2(r) to 2(v) inclusive to read clauses 2(s) to 2(w)
inclusive; and
1.3
deleting clause 2(f) in its entirety and replacing same with the following wording:
"2(f) No person shall place or replace any asphalt or concrete ramp on Town
property for the purpose of facilitating access to their property. Temporary ramps
may be permitted at the discretion of the Town Engineer."
2.
That the schedule attached hereto and entitled Schedule "A" be and the same is hereby
appended to By-law No. 5783-91 thereby setting the fee for the issuance of an
Entrance/Alteration Permit.
3.
That the provisions of this by-law shall come into force and take effect upon the passing
thereof.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION OF By-law No. 5783-91
Amending By-laws 5939-93, 7013-95 and 7237-97
Page 11
Read a first and second time this 5th day of May, 1997
Read a third time and passed this 5th day of May, 1997
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