By-laws and Policies

By-Law: 76-2017

All regulations pertaining to animal care and control are detailed in By-law 76-2017. Regulations pertaining to noise are outlined in 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.

All excrement must be picked up. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $155.

Part 7 details the general provisions regarding the keeping of animals. As outlined in provision 7.1, no person shall, within the Township of South-West Oxford, keep any animal except those permitted in accordance with the following:

a) Maximum of three (3) dogs per dwelling unit;

b) Maximum of three (3) cats per dwelling unit.

The Township eliminated dog tags in 2022. It is recommended that pet owners obtain ID tags or microchips as alternative means of identification.

The Township has contracted Hillside Kennels to provide Animal Control Services. To contact them directly, please phone call 519-469-3247.

By-law: 48-2021

The purpose of the Clean Yards (Yard and Lot Maintenance) By-law 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 inspection and enforcement is as follows:

1. 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.
2. 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.

By-Law: 58-2024

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 58-2024 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 agricultural and non-recreational open air-burning within the boundaries of the Township of South-West Oxford. A permit is not required for a recreational burn (campfire).

Read more information about Open-Air Burn Permits.

Apply for a permit online

By-law: 11-2023

Section 121 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended provides that a local municipality may prohibit and regulate the sale of fireworks and the setting off of fireworks, and further that a by-law may prohibit those activities unless a permit is obtained for those activities and may impose conditions for obtaining, continuing to hold and renewing the permit, including requiring the submission of plans. Section 7.1(1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 4, as amended provides that a council of a municipality may pass by-laws regulating fire prevention, including the prevention of spreading fires. Council approved By-law 10-2009 to regulate the sale, display and discharge of fireworks within the Township in September, 2009. Upon receiving and reviewing feedback, Council considered changes and enacted the current By-law, No. 11-2023 on February 21, 2023.

The following general provisions must be adhered to:

• No Person shall set off any Fireworks when a fire ban is in effect.
• No person shall set off any Fireworks on any street, highway, or lane under the jurisdiction of the Township; or on any Township property including public parks, except with the written consent of the Fire Chief. The location referred to in the preceding sentence must be such that there can be no danger to adjacent properties, or highways, or persons using the same.
• No person shall set off any Fireworks in the Township within 500 meters of a nursing home, public hospital, home for the aged or any place where explosives, gasoline or other flammable substances may be stored.
• No person shall set off any Fireworks in the Township within 500 meters of a church, childcare facility or a public, separate, private, secondary or other school, unless consent in writing of the owner/agent/representative of such church or school is obtained.
• No person shall set off any fireworks in the Township within 500 meters of any livestock operation, or woodland.
• Notwithstanding the provisions of this By-Law, the corporation of the Township of South-West Oxford may hold special displays of Fireworks to celebrate national or civic holidays, or national celebrations, provided such Fireworks are set off by a qualified person as determined by the Fire Chief.
• No person shall set off Consumer Fireworks, if the event is to be a Public Display as defined in Section 1 of this by-law, without first obtaining a Display permit.

Fireworks Displays and Consumer Fireworks:

• No person shall hold a public Fireworks Display in the Township without first obtaining a display permit from the Fire Chief. Private displays occurring on private property which are closed to the public do not require a Display Permit.
• No person shall conduct a Private or Public Display of Fireworks involving consumer Display Fireworks without first obtaining a Display permit.
• Every person applying for a Fireworks Display Permit shall submit an application to the Clerk’s Department a minimum of twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of the proposed display, in the form prescribed by the Township, the applicable permit fee as set out in the Rates and Fees By-law and with all required information.

Please review the By-law for a complete list of provisions.

By-law: 49-2021

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.

By-law: 45-2023

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 more information about landlord and tenant rights, please contact: Landlord and Tenant Board Ontario.

User Rates and Fees By-law: 55-2024 (effective July 9, 2024)

Building Permit Fees: 67-2022 (as amended by 12-2023) and Fee Schedule

Oxford County Fees and Charges (set by the County - effective January 1, 2024)

By-law: 25-98 - Section 6.29 - Storage or Parking of Recreational Vehicles in Residential Zones

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 interior side yard provided the recreational vehicle is located no closer than 1m (3.3 ft) to the rear lot line or interior side lot line; OR
• Stored outside of a garage, building or structure or located in the front yard provided the recreational vehicle is located no closer than 3.0m (9.8 ft) from the edge of pavement/road finish).

No portion of any trailer shall overhand a front, side or rear lot line. The height of any parked or stored recreational vehicle on a lot shall be a maximum of 4.14m (13.6 ft) in height measured from the finished grade to the highest fixed point of the recreational vehicle. Parking a recreational vehicle on a driveway before May 1st or after November 1st of each year may result in a fine of $200.

Please note: as per By-law No. 25-98, no recreational vehicle can be used for human habitation at any time, without a permit issued by the Township. To apply for a permit, please complete a By-law Exemption Request form. 

By-law: 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.

Reduced Load (1/2 Load) Period on Designated Township Roads, By-law: 14-82

By-law: 13-2022

The use of signs is regulated to specific land use zones of Zoning By-law 25-98 (refer to Zoning section below), as amended. No sign shall be permitted on a property except as permitted in this By-law.

No person shall erect, display, repair or cause to be erected, displayed, altered or repaired a sign in the Township unless a sign permit has been issued by the Chief Building Official or their designate. Signs must comply with the Building Code and Canadian Code of Advertising Standards.

Sign permits are applied for in the same manner as a Building Permit.

Apply for a permit online via Cloudpermit.

No sign shall be permitted on a building or property which does not comply with the Property Standards By-law (see section above).

Displaying a sign without a permit may result in a fine of up to $300.00 as per provision 6.1(a).

By-law: 62-2019

All pools in the Township require a Building Permit from the Township Building Department. Click here to apply for a Building Permit.

Swimming Pool Fencing:

Every owner of a privately-owned swimming pool (as defined in the By-law) which contains 12" or more of water at any given section shall erect and maintain a non-climbable fence or enclosure which shall comply with the following:

• Minimum of 4 feet in height
• Openings greater than 4 inches must be protected by a self-closing gate
• Must be more than 5 feet from the edge of the pool
• Must be in contravention with the Township Zoning By-law
• Above-ground pools over 4 feet above grade where entrance to the pool is by a ladder or steps: only the ladder must be unclosed unless any portion of pool equipment, walls, etc. is climbable.
• Fences not permitted on or upon any highway (including fencing, post, poles, pillars, wire, etc.)
• Gates: constructed within a boundary fence must receive written consent of the neighbouring property owner
• Location: No more than 2 feet from any other fence. No more than 9.8 feet from a roadway. Comply with building setbacks as per the Zoning By-law. Fences along property line adjacent to lands owned by the Township must receive written permission and any costs may be accepted by Council
• Materials: no fence shall be constructed of sheet metal or corrugated metal, electric fencing or barbed/razor/page wire or any other type of wire (unless permitted under section 6.2)
• Height: No more than 30" (2.5'/0.762m) above grade of any adjacent roadway (to maintain sight triangles). No more than 48" (4'/1.22m) above adjoining ground level in any front or exterior side yard. No more than 84" (7'/2.13m) above adjoining ground level in any rear or interior side yard. A fence may be permitted to have a greater height upon entering into a registered agreement with the Township

Please contact the Building Department for additional information, if required.

By-law: 12-2018

The planting, inspection, maintenance, protection and removal of all public trees shall be under the supervision and authorization of the Township's Public Works Superintendent. Section 4 details specific regulations regarding highways and adjacent properties.

It is important to note:

• Trees should not be planted within 60m of any intersection of any road allowances;
• Trees should be planted at a space of 25-30m depending upon available space;
• Planting of trees may be prohibited in areas that present future maintenance problems or interfere with snow removal/clearing operations;
• Planting of trees may be prohibited within 50m of any known municipal award or private drainage system;
• Planting of trees may be prohibited within 6m of a driveway, sidewalk or underground vault;
• Planting of trees may be prohibited within 15-20m of a street light or fire hydrant; and
• Tree species will be in accordance with Schedule "A" attached to the By-law and may also be selected by the Works Superintendent as recommended by the local Conservation Authority.

By-law: 4193-2002

This By-law was established to regulate the external use of water by residential, commercial and industrial properties served by County of Oxford owned water systems. For more information about water and wastewater, please visit their website or contact Oxford County Public Works: 1-800-755-0394 (M-F 8:30-4:30).

By-law: 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.

By-law: 25-98 (note: consolidated version as of December 31, 2018)

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. For questions about your property's land use zone, please contact the Clerk.

Council approved the Township's new Flag Policy on April 16, 2024. The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines to govern the flag(s) that will be raised, displayed, and half-masted on township-owned properties to ensure Township practices are exercised consistently and appropriately.

View and Print a Copy of the Flag Policy

Organizations may request a maximum of one Flag raising within one calendar year (January 1 to December 31).  If approved by the CAO, the Clerk’s office will notify the organization and Township customer service of the approval request…including the duration.  It is the responsibility of the requesting organization to provide the appropriate Flag to the Township at least one week before the Flag raising. All flags presented to be flown shall be maintained in good condition and repaired or replaced at any sign of damage or major discolouration by the group requesting the raising. 

Submit a request for Flag Raising

Council approved the Township's new Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) on February 20, 2024. The Township is committed to promoting a safe, enjoyable environment and ensure the health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff. The MAP is in place to reduce alcohol-related incidents such as injury, violence, property damage and liability which may arise from alcohol consumption on municipal property.

This policy applies to all municipally-owned facilities and Township property.

View and print the new Policy and the Agreement and Checklist for Renters (Appendix 'A')

For policies related to accessibility, please visit the Accessibility page on our website.

Alternative formats are available upon request to the Clerk via phone (519-485-0477 ext. 7023), email or in-person at our Municipal Office (address below).