By-laws

View Frequently Requested By-laws

In the City of Port Colborne, Municipal Law Enforcement Officers are responsible for the administration of by-laws in combination with the following:

• Community and Economic Development Department
• Planning and Development Department
• Building Division
• Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services
• Niagara Regional Police 
• Region of Niagara
• Province of Ontario

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers are trained and accredited by the Province. They benefit from backgrounds that cover extensive law enforcement responsibilities. Under the direction of City Council, officers strive to protect the city’s persons and properties through its by-laws either by obtaining compliance or initiating legal proceedings.

Upon receipt of a formal complaint, a subsequent file will be opened and placed into the queue for officer review and inspection. Under the Municipal By-law Enforcement Policy adopted by Council of the City of Port Colborne, all new complaints will be prioritized under a model that reviews the following criteria: 

1. Health and safety factors;
2. Potential property damage;
3. Potential impact on the complainant;
4. Potential impact on the neighbourhood;
5. Available resources; and
6. History of complaints in respect of the same matter.

Based on the above, all new complaints will be reviewed and addressed as timely as possible. 

As part of the inspection, officers will attempt to obtain cooperation compliance by bringing the violation to the attention of the individual(s)/owner(s). A period or periods of time may be given for compliance before legal proceedings are initiated. 

 When an officer is satisfied and believes the only way to deal with a situation is to initial legal proceedings, he or she may choose one or a combination of the following options: 

1. Lay a charge
2. Issue or obtain an order
3. Have the work performed by the municipality

If the work is performed by the municipality, the costs will be applied to the homeowner’s municipal tax bill. Once a charge is laid, the defendant may choose a plea of not guilty and a trail date set.

Individuals must have a lawful reason for discharging a firearm. Common reasons may include hunting, sport shooting or target practice. This must be in areas that do not prohibit the discharge of a firearm within the City of Port Colborne. See Maps.

It is illegal to discharge a firearm for malicious purposes or in a manner that endangers the public or property. Please contact the Niagara Regional Police Services at 911 if it is an emergency or NRPS non-emergency at 905-688-4111. Alternatively, you may also contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667) or 905-562-4147 (Vineland Office).

A by-law that provides guidelines and requirements regarding encroachments on municipal property. If you are a business owner looking to set up a pop-up patio, please see our Pop-up Patio and Information Guide.

Please see our Encroachment By-law Application Form for other encroachments such as signs, benches, ramps, etc. 

For more information on encroachment applications, please contact the Economic Development Officer at (905) 228-8063.

All fences, hedges, garden walling, retaining walls natural and non-natural barriers, erected, constructed or grown shall be solely contained within the limits of the owner and/or owners’ property including all foundations and footings. 

You do not require a permit to build a fence. However, you must adhere to prescribed height and property line restrictions. The by-law includes definitions of material restrictions and penalties for non-compliance. Please note, there is not good side or bad side of a fence under our by-law.

If you are looking for temporary relief from our Fence By-law based on certain circumstances, please see our Application for Relief from Fence By-law Application. 

A by-law that provides that a municipality may require the owner or occupant of land to clean and clear the land. All properties are required to keep clean and free of:

• Rubbish, debris, objects or conditions that might create a health, fire or accident hazard
• Wrecked, dismantled, discarded or abandoned machinery, vehicles, trailers or boats
• Vehicles unlicensed for the current year and not properly enclosed and protected
• Long grass, bush, undergrowth and noxious weeds as defined in the Weed Control Act as amended
• Dead, decayed or damaged trees or other natural growth
• All garbage shall be placed in containers with tight fitting covers

Weed season starts in early May and continues until the first frost, usually in October. All noxious weeds must be cut and/or destroyed throughout weed season.

If you are looking for guidance on how to properly dispose of your unused/discarded items, see information relating to Garbage and Recycling for further assistance. 

A by-law that address complaints from the general public. Examples include barking dogs, loud music or construction equipment outside of allowable hours.

If you are looking for temporary relief from our Noise By-law for a certain event, please see our Request for Relief from Noise By-law Application Form.

A by-law that manages and enforces municipal parking. Prohibited and Permit parking is identified by municipal signage, particularly when it comes to disabled parking. However, some parking prohibitions do not require signage. For example, vehicles cannot park so they are obstructing driveways, fire routes, fire hydrants or sidewalks. In the case of temporary parking restrictions, including parking interfering with snow removal, you can find this information in the local newspaper, under latest news on the City web page or you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates.

If you have received a parking ticket, see our detailed information relating to parking for further assistance.

A by-law that prescribes standards for the maintenance and occupancy of property within the municipality. Buildings are required to be structurally sound and their components are required to be in good repair and protected against deterioration.

If you require funding or assistance, you may be eligible to apply for Niagara Renovates Program for Repairs and Accessibility.

If you are a Tenant and wish to register a complaint under our Property Standards By-law, our Compliance Request Form must be completed. 

A by-law that prohibits or regulates signs, advertising devices and the posting of notices on buildings or vacant lots within the city. The by-law regulates in detail the erection, location, construction, alteration, repair, use and maintenance of all signs and advertising devices.

If you are looking for temporary relief from our Sign By-law, please see our Request for Relief from Sign By-law Application Form.

For more information on signs, please contact the Building Clerk at (905) 228-8113.

A by-law that regulates or prohibits the removal of topsoil the placing or dumping of fill and the alteration of the grade of land unless a Permit is issued. Please see our Site Alteration Application Form with applicable fee schedule attached.

For more information on site alteration, please contact the Planning Division at (905) 228-8132.

All snow and ice shall be removed from the sidewalks adjacent to your property 48 hours after snowfall ends. Read the Boulevard & Snow Removal By-law. Failure to do so may result in potential fines being issued. The city also enforces on-street parking infractions during winter snow removal. If your vehicle is parked on the street causing an inference with snow removal, a ticket will be issued along with a tow notice (purple tag). Towing can occur anywhere between 1 to 24 hours after notice has been issued. Your cooperation and assistance during winter snow removal is appreciated.

A by-law that regulates the location of privately owned swimming pools including accessory equipment including the location, fencing/gates, pumps, plumbing, wiring, potable water and permit fees.

If you are looking for temporary relief from our Swimming Pool By-law, please see our Request for Relief from Pool By-law Application Form.

A by-law that regulates the maintenance, protection, preservation and removal of all City Trees. The by-law also includes information regarding trimming and removing of adjacent trees.

If you wish to have a City tree removed, please complete and submit our Application for Tree Removal.

If you wish to have an adjacent tree designated and removed, please complete and submit our Notice of Designation for removal of Adjacent Tree.

For more information on City and/or adjacent trees, please contact Public Works at (905) 228-8136 or (905) 228-8024.

A by-law that divides a municipality into specific areas or zones, defines how land in each zone can be used whether for industrial, commercial, residential or other uses. It describes what times of uses are permitted on the property. For example, the height and size of a building and how far it must be from other buildings and the edge of the property.

For any zoning inquiries, contact the Planning Division at (905) 228-8124.