By-law enforcement division responsibilities:
The Niagara-on-the-Lake By-law Enforcement Division is responsible for administering and enforcing the various regulatory by-laws of the Town. The areas of responsibility include: complaints, parking enforcement, licensing and more.
By-laws enforced through the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) include:
- Animal Care and Control
- Clean Yards
- Fences
- Fireworks Sale and Use
- Noise by-law and Nuisance by-law
- Parks
- Property Standards and Clean Yards
- Signs
- Site Alterations
- Short-Term Rentals
- Swimming Pool
- Public Trees
By-law enforcement division approach and philosophy:
The By-law Enforcement Division takes a balanced and consistent approach toward enforcement, seeking to gain compliance with municipal regulatory by-law requirements through a variety of methods, including: community engagement and education, voluntary compliance on a case-by-case basis, and enforcement (such as fines) if voluntary compliance is not achieved.
The Town’s philosophy is to engage, educate and enforce - moving to enforcement if success is not found via the first two mechanisms.
While compliance is important, the By-law Enforcement Division attempts to achieve this while still delivering customer service excellence.
The By-law Enforcement Division is also committed to continuous improvement.
Complaints
Complaint Forms for by-law infractions can be completed using the Online Service Request & Complaint Form. Complaints may also be made in person at the Town Administration Offices in Virgil, over the phone at 905-468-3266 Ext 0, or through email at info@notl.com. It should be noted that anonymous complaints will not be acted upon. The complainant's information is always confidential and a complainant's name will not be revealed. The information is protected by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Naturally, where a complainant is required to give evidence in court, his or her identity will be revealed.