The Municipal Act requires the Township to exercise its powers by By-Law. By-Laws are the primary legislative instrument of municipalities in Ontario, including Township of South-West Oxford. The Township Council makes decisions by adopting or amending recommendations from its committees and Township officials contained in reports and communications.
These decisions are confirmed by a Confirmatory By-Law enacted at the end of the meeting. This ensures that every decision is made by By-Law. Some decisions are also the subject of a more specific By-Law. These By-Laws provide for greater clarity and certainty, and for ease of reference.
A By-Law is the legal instrument that Township Council uses to exercise its powers, and it becomes effective on the date it is enacted unless it specifies otherwise. If you have any questions about a Township By-Law or would like to receive a copy of a By-Law in an alternate format, or require any assistance in locating a By-Law, please submit your request to the Clerk's Office.
By-Law Enforcement
Committed to being a leader in the development and delivery of municipal services for the growth and well-being of the community, the Township By-law Enforcement Officer conducts enforcement of various municipal By-Laws. Responding to complaints, the By-law Enforcement Officer attempts to obtain compliance and resolution through education and mediation. Fines and legal action may result in circumstances where compliance remains outstanding and resolution is not achieved.
Depending on the nature of your inquiry or complaint, you may be required to provide your name and contact information so that the By-law Enforcement Officer can effectively handle the issue and follow up with you as required. A Formal Complaint means a complaint received by Staff wherein the complainant provides their full name, address, and phone number that can be verified by the Investigator, and the nature of complaint in writing using the required form over the telephone, in person, or via email.
The following is a listing of the most commonly requested By-Laws for the Township of South-West Oxford:
| Clean Yard Regulations: Land Clearing By-Law No. 48-2021 |
| The purpose of the Yard and Lot Maintenance By-Law 48-2021 is to keep all properties pest free, aesthetically consistent, the communities beautiful, and property values high. In order to maintain this consistency, and with regards to safety and appearance, grass and weeds must be maintained at a height less than 8 inches. Further, properties shall be free from industrial and domestic wastes, unlicensed motorized vehicles, vehicle parts, construction materials, and excessive brush.
The process for a Yard and Lot Maintenance Land Clearance Inspection and Enforcement is as follows: The Township will only respond to Formal Complaints received from a complainant who provides their full name, telephone number, and address. Anonymous complaints will not be investigated. Complainants are protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and every complainant will be kept completely confidential and not be intentionally divulged to any member of Council, the public, or media. Once notified of a potential Yard and Lot Maintenance By-Law violation, and a formal complaint is lodged, the MLEO/By-Law Enforcement Officer will attend the subject property and will conduct an inspection. Where the owner is in default of doing the matter or thing required to be done under this By-Law, the MLEO/By-Law Enforcement Officer may, upon such notice as the MLEO/By-Law Enforcement Officer deems suitable, take such actions and complete such works as may be necessary to remedy the Owner’s default and bring the land into compliance with the terms, conditions, and requirements of this By-Law at the owner's expense. If found to be in contravention of this By-Law, a fine of up to $350 may apply. |
| Regulations About Dogs: Animal Care and Control By-Law No. 76-2017 / Noise By-Law No. 49-2021 |
| In warmer weather when dogs are outside for extended periods of time, please be aware of the Noise By-Law 49-2021 Section 2.1 as it relates to barking, calling, or whining of any domestic pet. Violating this By-Law could result in a fine of $250.
In addition, dogs require a leash at all times when walking off of your property. Owners shall not permit their dogs to wander (Running at Large) on public land, municipal properties, trails etc. This may result in a $300 fine. In addition, all excrement must be picked up. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $155. Please refer to the Animal Care and Control By-Law 76-2017 to review all regulations with regards to dogs and licensing. To contact Hillside Kennels, please phone call 519-469-3247.
Download Animal Care and Control By-law 76-2017. Download Noise By-law 49-2021. |
| Rules About Recreational Fires and Burning: Open Air Burning By-Law No. 35-2014 |
| Pursuant with the terms of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, a municipal Council is authorized to enact By-Laws to regulate the setting of open-air fires. Concerned with prevention of fires in the municipality, and the removal of fire hazards, Council enacted By-law 35- 2014 to regulate and control open-air burning. Saving money for the municipality and the taxpayer, the open-air burning permitting system is designed to prevent fires and reduce unnecessary response by emergency services to controlled fires.
A Burn Permit is required for all open air-burning within the boundaries of the Township of South-West Oxford. Recreational fires may be permitted if they are contained within non-combustible containers or pits specifically designed for open-air burnings, and all of the following regulations must be adhered to:
Open Air Burning Permit Application. |
| Swimming Pool Regulations: Swimming Pool Fence By-Law No. 23-76 |
| Please be advised that every owner of a privately owned swimming pool in Township of South-West Oxford shall erect and maintain a fence completely surrounding pools in accordance with the provisions of By-law 23-1976. All pools in the Township require a Building Permit from the Township Building Department.
Click here for a building permit application. A privately owned swimming pool is any type of pool, when filled, which contains a depth of 12 inches or more of water at any given section. If the pool is an above-ground swimming pool, a fence is not required if the structure is at least 4 feet in height above grade and has no permanently attached ladder which is removed when the pool is not in use. It cannot contain any exterior foothold or handholds including a pump, accessory appurtenance, or structure. All in-ground pools must have a permanent fence enclosed of a height of 48 or more inches, with a self-closing and latching gate which is locked when not in use. Where a permanent deck and or ladder is installed onto an above ground pool, the deck and or ladder shall be enclosed with a fence and gate, and such deck fencing and gates shall conform to the requirements of the By-Law. In addition, no owner shall fill a privately owned swimming pool with water or allow water to remain therein unless a fence has been erected in accordance with the By-Law. Please contact the Building Department for additional information, if required. |
| Winter Parking Rules: Parking By-Law No. 50-2011 |
| Winter parking restrictions is enforced starting November 15th until March 31st each year, in accordance with By-law 50-2011.
For snow removal purposes, parking is not permitted on any road or street from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. 7 days a week during this period. Any vehicle owner found in violation of this By-Law could be fined or have their vehicle removed/towed at the owner's expense. The set fine for this violation is $50. |
| Prohibitions for Snow and Leaves: Road Protection By-Law No. 12-2011 |
| This is a reminder to all residents that depositing leaves and snow from private property onto a public roadway is dangerous and in contravention of the Road Protection By-law 12-2011.
Pushing or placing any leaves, snow, ice, or any other obstruction of a roadway is an offence that carries a Provincial Offences Fine of $105.00. |
| Property Standards By-Law No. 35-2006 |
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The Township of South-West Oxford has a Property Standards By-Law to ensure that property owners’ maintain their properties with respect to the structure, electrical, plumbing, fencing, lighting, doors and windows, and pests. The purpose of the By-Law is to protect the occupants and general public from all health and safety concerns. Both the Ontario Building Code and the Property Standards By-Law authorizes a By-law Enforcement Officer or designate to inspect properties, note all identified contraventions, issue an Order to Comply, and reinspect to ensure that the work has been completed. For additional information, please review the Property Standards By-law No. 35-06. |
| Noise Complaints: Noise By-Law No. 49-2021 |
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The purpose of the Noise By-Law is to reduce common noises that may be likely to disturb inhabitants of South-West Oxford. The Noise By-law outlines what noises are allowed in relation to zones, time of day, and day of the week. Some of the many noises likely to disturb are: electronic/amplified sound, idling vehicles, revving engines, lawn mowers, trimmers, chain saws, construction equipment, yelling, shouting, dog barking, etc. For more specifics, please review the By-Law to ensure that you are not creating noise that is in contravention. |
| Township Zoning By-Law (Note: consolidated version as of December 31, 2018) |
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The provisions and schedules of this By-Law control the use of land in the Area Municipality. The Township of South-West Oxford Zoning By-Law controls the use of land by dividing the municipality into different land use zones with detailed maps specifying the uses permitted in each zone, specifying where buildings and other structures can be located, stating the types of buildings that are permitted, and how they may be used as well as specifying lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights, and setbacks from the street. Read more about the Township Zoning By-Law on the County of Oxford website. |
| RV Parking By-Law No. 09-2019 |
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As per By-Law No. 09-2019, from November 1st to May 1st recreational vehicles in residential zones may only be parked within a detached or attached private garage or carport, or in the rear yard or the interior side yard, provided that such recreational vehicle is located no closer than 1 metre (3.3 feet) to the rear lot line or interior side lot line. Parking a recreational vehicle on a driveway before May 1st or after November 1st of each year may result in a fine of $200. |
Corporate Policies
While By-Laws provide the legislative authority for the municipality to exercise its powers, various municipal corporate policies and procedures work to support By-Laws by providing clarifying regulation and direction to staff. The Township of South-West Oxford is committed to being the leader in the delivery of municipal services for the growth and well-being of the community, and have developed policies to help the municipality strategically reach this goal.