By-Law Enforcement

Township of Woolwich By-law Enforcement Officers investigate all complaints about by-law violations, ensure compliance, lay charges where appropriate, and answer questions about by-laws and by-law processes.

Residents should keep in mind that there are some unavoidable inconveniences which are a part of community living, so we are all asked to be tolerant of our neighbours. However, no one should have to tolerate excessive and continued activities that disturb or negatively affect the enjoyment of our neighbourhoods.

Woolwich Township By-law Enforcement Officers work to maintain our community standards by:

• Increasing public awareness of Township by-laws
• Educating residents on their responsibilities and rights as property owners or tenants
• Achieving compliance with Township by-laws

Making a Complaint

You can make a complaint by email, online, or by phone at 519-669-6009. Our office hours are Monday to Friday,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What you can expect when making a by-law complaint:

• You will be required to give your full name, address and phone number. Anonymous calls will not be investigated unless they are an immediate health and safety risk
• You will be asked for the details of the concern (where, when, what, how, who)
• The complaint will be investigated
• Please be patient; enforcement is a process and can take time (often 3 - 5 business days after first contact)

Any information you give us will remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law. The Clerk of the Township has the responsibility of determining whether to release any by-law information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Woolwich Council passed a By-law Enforcement Policy in 2013 to formalize this complaint process.

Cannabis

Recreational cannabis use is now legal across Canada, provided it is purchased through the Ontario Cannabis Store or other authorized retail outlet by someone aged 19 years or older. It is also legal for residents to grow four legal cannabis plants per residence (not per individual in the residence) anywhere on their property. Cannabis edibles are not yet legally available in Canada, though the Canadian government intends to make them legal by October 2019.

The law on cannabis use for medical purposes is different and can be found at Health Canada.

Retail Cannabis Stores

The province is responsible regulating the use and sale of cannabis in Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for licencing retail cannabis stores. To report unlicensed cannabis distribution contact Waterloo Regional Police.

Ontario’s Cannabis License Act, 2018 allowed Woolwich Council to opt-in or opt-out of allowing retail cannabis stores in the Township. On January 15, 2019, Woolwich Council chose to opt-in to retail stores, meaning there could one day be a cannabis store in Woolwich. Township staff will monitor retail cannabis licence applications on the AGCO's website and provide comments as the application relates to the Township's Cannabis Retail Store Policy Statement. Our priority when making comments is to minimize the negative impacts of cannabis retail stores by:

• Protecting public health and safety
• Protecting youth and restricting access to cannabis
• Preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis

Using Cannabis

Using cannabis while driving is dangerous and illegal. Please see the Region of Waterloo's website for more information on the health effects of cannabis use and help for substance use. 

Using cannabis in public is regulated by the Smoke Free Ontario Act. This means smoking or vaping cannabis is allowed wherever smoking cigarettes is permitted and banned where smoking cigarettes is banned, in places such as playgrounds, sport fields, and outside entrances to public buildings. If you observe someone consuming cannabis where it is not permitted, contact Region of Waterloo Tobacco Enforcement. To report consumption of an illegal substance or cannabis use by a minor, contact Waterloo Regional Police Services.

If someone is consuming cannabis legally on their private property, there is little municipalities can do if the use causes a nuisance to residents. If the residence is a rental property or condominium, the property owner may be able to take action.

Door-to-Door Sales

Please contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services if you have concerns regarding door-to-door sales. As of March 1, 2018, the unsolicited, door-to-door sale of the following products are banned:

• Air cleaners
• Air conditioners
• Air purifiers
• Duct cleaning services
• Furnaces
• Water filters
• Water heaters
• Water purifiers
• Water softeners
• Water treatment devices
• Bundles of these goods and services

Products and services not listed can still be sold door-to-door, but businesses must still follow other requirements under the Consumer Protection Act.

Noise

Our By-law Enforcement Officers handle questions about a wide variety of noise concerns, from barking dogs to industrial noise. The Township's Noise By-law regulates activities of noise by time and day of the week. Industrial and commercial noise is regulated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Noise By-law Exemptions

Noise By-law exemptions are required to allow any noise that would be prohibited by the by-law, such as an event involving amplified noise.

To apply for an exemption to the Noise By-law, you will need to submit a letter to Enforcement Services a minimum of 21 days before the event along with the applicable fee: $50 for most events or $25 for charitable or non-profit events. The letter must outline the details of the request including the following:

• Name of applicant, or organization and organizer, as well as their contact information
• Time, date, and location of the event
• Source of noise and type of noise (including whether the noise will be amplified)
• Description of steps taken to reduce impacts on surrounding properties
• A site plan showing the sources of noise in relation to neighbouring properties, parking areas, and all buildings on the property

A By-law Enforcement Officer will review the application to decide if your request will be approved, alternatives recommended, or refused. By-law may also put conditions on the approval such as all speakers must face down or the noise must be reduced at a certain time.