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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

Noise

Our By-law Enforcement Officers handle questions about a wide variety of noise concerns, from barking dogs to industrial noise. Industrial and commercial noise is regulated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The Township's Noise By-law regulates activities of noise by time and day of the week. Updates to the Noise By-law in 2023 include:

Music is allowed as long as the volume is less than 45 decibels inside another building or 55 decibels outside on neighbouring property during the following times:
- Monday to Thursday - 9 am to 9 pm
- Fridays and Saturdays - 9 am to 11 pm
- Sundays - 9 am to 9 pm
Construction noise from residential renovations is allowed on Sundays between 9 am and 7 pm
Additional noise from delivery activities is exempt
By-law Enforcement Officers have discretion to enforce noise that is unreasonable and have authority to issue orders to comply with the by-law

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

To apply for an exemption to the Noise By-law, you will need to submit a Noise By-law Exemption Form a minimum of 15 business days before the event, along with the applicable fee set out in the Fees and Charges By-law and shown below. You will be required to provide the following information:

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. Enforcement Services may also put conditions on the approval, such as all speakers must face down or the noise must be reduced at a certain time.

As-per the Fees and Charges By-law:

Exemption Type	Fee (2024)
One day exemption	$80
Up to 4-day exemption	$140
Registered charity or non-profit (up to 4 days)*	$40
Processing fee for applications received less than 15 business days before the event	$50

* Please Note: This fee only applies to events for which 100% of all proceeds are for charity.

When a By-law Enforcement Officers is working after hours, they will respond to after-hours noise complaints made to 519-669-6009 or email. Please leave a message and an Officer will respond if available.

There are currently no approved noise exemptions in Woolwich Township.

Submitting a Complaint

You can make a complaint by email, online, or by phone at 519-669-6000. 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.

Other

Cannabis

Recreational cannabis use, including edibles, is legal in 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.

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 licensing retail cannabis stores. To report unlicensed cannabis distribution, contact Waterloo Regional Police Services.

Ontario’s Cannabis Licence 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 cannabis stores can operate 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

Please see the Region of Waterloo's for more information on the danger of using cannabis while driving or cycling, 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 and obtain a Salesperson Licence as set out in the Licensing By-law if they do not own a business in Woolwich.

By-law Enforcement
24 Church Street West
P.O. Box 158
Elmira ON, N3B 2Z6
519-669-6000
Email