Bylaw Enforcement

Our Bylaw Enforcement Officer investigates noise complaints, property standards issues, littering and dumping, parking and other matters concerning the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich.

Reporting an infraction

You can report a by-law violation by completing the By-law Infraction Form.

Our office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To make a by-law complaint:

Your name, address, phone number and/or email address are required
Provide details: who, what, when, where, how
The complaint will be investigated
Please be patient, this process can take time

Information provided remains confidential, unless disclosure is required by law. The Clerk is responsible for determining whether to release any by-law information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Unless the matter goes to court, your name, address and telephone number will be kept confidential. Should the matter proceed to court, it is likely necessary for you to attend as a witness to the violation.

Anonymous complaints will not be investigated unless they are an immediate health and safety risk.

A courtesy warning is often issued on a first offence (not applicable to all regulatory by-laws, such as parking infractions). Subsequent or continued violations may result in fines or court proceedings.

If immediate assistance is required outside of our regular hours, please contact OPP at (519) 348-8700 (non-emergencies only).

Noise Complaints (Including Barking Dogs)

When the Municipality receives a by-law complaint regarding excessive or persistent noise (for example, loud music) the following process is followed:

A notice is sent to the owner/occupant of the property. Sometimes, an owner/occupant is not aware of the issue and a notice is enough to correct the problem.
If the issue continues, the Municipality may require the complainant’s involvement and cooperation.
In order to gather evidence, the complainant may be required to record the following information in a log format:

How the complainant is being disturbed (for example, sleep is interrupted)
The location on their property or a neighbouring property
Applicable visual information
Time of day
For how many minutes/hours

Once the complainant has recorded 15 occurrences within 30 days, they are requested to contact the Municipality to discuss possible charges being laid. Please note that these occurrences must occur after a formal complaint has been registered and the notices sent out. The Municipality will not proceed unless the notices have already been sent. This ensures the occupant/owner has an opportunity to correct the issue.

The information collected may be entered as evidence if by-law charges are initiated. The complainant will be required to testify in court regarding the evidence collected in the presence of the occupant/owner of the property. The complainant may also be asked questions by the alleged violator or their legal representative with respect to the evidence collected.

Dog Barking Complaints

A resident may file a noise complaint against a dog owner who's dog is barking excessively.

Dog IS Barking in the presence of an Officer (Police or Municipal Enforcement Officer)

Dog must bark continually for 20 minutes or more.
A citation may be issued immediately.

Dog IS NOT Barking in the Presence of an Officer (Police of Municipal Enforcement Officer)

Dog is not barking continually for 20 minutes or more.
An officer cannot issue a citation because they did not witness the dog barking. They are relying on information provided by you to prove the case.
On the first reported complaint, the dog owner is notified that they need to correct the situation.
A “barking dog incident log” is provided to the complainant. The log provides information to the prosecutor, establishing the dog as a nuisance and increasing the odds of conviction.
Additional information such as audio, video, or digital recordings also provide evidence that the barking dog is a nuisance
Additional witnesses who are willing to complete a complaint form and appear in Municipal Court also increase the odds of conviction. You may file a complaint without additional witnesses, however, it may become a situation where it's one person's word against another.
There is no set number of barks or length of time a dog barks. The rule of thumb is 20 to 30 minutes or more of continuous barking, but each case is unique.
The case is decided upon information you provide. It is recommended that you be as detailed as possible and provide as much evidence as possible.

Resources

Barking Dog Incident Log Form

Short Term Accommodations

Short Term Accommodations allow for residents to offer accommodations or temporary residence through online platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Kijiji etc.

Council passed By-law 2022-20 on February 9, 2022 to regulate Short Term Accommodations within the Municipality.

The Short Term Accommodations licensing program was initiated by the Municipality to address community concerns and ensure all rentals operate safely and in accordance with By-law 2022-20, Fire Protection Standards, the Ontario Building Code and Municipal By-laws. Residents and property owners who wish to rent their property for a period of 28 days or less are required to obtain a license.

STA Open House Information Boards (Held March 28, 2023)

STA Information Brochure

By-law 2022-20

Licensing Process

Step 1: Application

Please review By-law 2022-20 and prepare the following documents:

Completed application form
Name and Contact Information for the property owner(s) and property manager for the rental
Proof of Ownership (when applicable, business name and registration and/or articles of incorporation)
Site Diagram – Note: this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant
Floor Plan – Note: this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant
Local Manager Consent (if applicable)
Evidence of septic pumped out and inspected in the last 3 years
Declaration of Applicant
Renter Code of Conduct if different from Schedule E of By-law 2022-20

Payment of $500 for inspections and payment for license fee $500 (Class A & B) or $1500 (Class C) per dwelling unit.
Bring your complete application, supporting documents and payment to the Municipal Office at 199 Currie Road. Accepted payment methods: Debit, Cheque, Cash.

Step 2: Inspections

To schedule the required inspections, contact:

Chief Building Official, Jackie Morgan-Beunen

Phone: 519-762-2204 x35

Send an Email

and

The Dutton Fire Department

Phone: 519-762-2204

Send an Email

Planning approvals will be arranged through municipal staff

Step 3: Application Review

Supplemental documents may be required to support your application. Upon request, you are required to provide the following information:

Electrical Inspection Report
HVAC Inspection Report (if applicable)
WETT Report (if applicable)
Annual Inspection report of chimney, flue pipes etc. (if applicable)

Step 4: Approval

When all requirements are met, the Municipality will provide an approval in writing and a license will be issued. Once the license is issued, the Licensee is responsible for monthly fire extinguisher inspections, maintenance records and tests for all smoke and CO alarms, a guest registry, and the Renters Code of Conduct.

Supporting Documents

Declaration of Applicant (on application form)
Application Form
Maintenance Records and Tests for all smoke and CO alarms (completed monthly and immediately after each rental)
Monthly fire extinguisher inspection report
Guest Registry
Site Diagram (note: this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant)
Floor Plan (note: this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant)
Renters Code of Conduct (if different from the Renter's Code of Conduct in By-law 2022-20)

Renew an Existing License

Licensees may apply for renewal of their license each year. Details regarding the renewal process will become available January, 2025.

Appeal Process

If the Municipality denies a license, renewal of a license, or suspends/revokes a license, the applicant or licensee will receive a written notice citing the grounds for the decision advising them of the right to appeal the decision to the Committee.

A request for appeal must be made in writing to the Clerk within 10 business days of receiving the written notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will my information be kept?

A: Personal information must be kept for a minimum of 2 years after the expiry of your license per the Records Retention By-law 2019-15. After such time, the information is destroyed.

Q: How long do I need to keep the information in my Guest Registry?

A: Entries in your Guest Registry must be kept for 3 years.

Zoning

The Municipality of Dutton Dunwich has passed the Official Plan adoption By-law 2021-14 and a Zoning By-law 2022-50.

The Zoning By-law permits Short Term Accomodations in the following zones:

Agriculture (A1)
Large Lot Agricultural (A3)
Rural Residential (RR)
Special Rural Residential (RS)
Hamlet Residential (HR)
Village Residential (VR1)
Hamlet Commercial (HC)
Village General Commercial (VC1)
Village Local Commercial (VC2)
Lakeshore Recreation (LR)

Building Code

One of the requirements of the Short Term Accommodation licensing program is compliance with the Ontario Building Code. As part of the license review, the Building Department reviews information submitted with the application to:

Confirm the submitted Floor Plan and Site Diagram match Municipal records (including sewage system records)
Confirm there are no outstanding inspections on open building permits
Confirm there are no outstanding Ontario Building Code Orders or complaints

Sewage Systems

Applicants are required to be in compliance with the Ontario Building Code, including sewage systems. Owners of dwelling units on private sewage disposal systems (septic or holding tank) should note that the maximum occupancy of a Short Term Accommodation is based on the maximum occupancy of two persons per bedroom. Exceeding the maximum occupancy could result in the malfunctioning of the septic system and pollution of the ground water system.

Fire Safety

Practice fire safety in rentals just like you do at home. Make sure:

Everyone knows the address of the rental (must be posted in a conspicuous place)
Everyone knows two ways out of every room, and out of the rental
All doors and windows that lead outside can be easily opened
Everyone knows the outside meeting place (a safe distance from the rental where everyone can meet and be accounted for)

Fire Safety and your Rental Property

Waste Management

Familiarize yourself and your guests with the garbage and recycling rules and calendar.

Waste collection information and pick up schedule are available through the Recycle Coach app and municipal website.

Submitting a Short Term Accommodation Complaint

Before calling authorities (such as by-law enforcement or OPP,) concerned neighbours are encouraged to call the property manager and report their concerns. If speaking with the property manager does not resolve the issue, please submit your complaint to the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich through the By-law Infraction Form at the top of this page.

Municipal Enforcement staff will investigate the matter during enforcement coverage hours. After hours, please contact the OPP non-emergency number at 519-348-8700 for assistance with urgent disturbances or other policing matters.

Anonymous complaints are not investigated unless there is an immediate health and safety risk.