By-law Enforcement

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Open field.

In the event of an emergency that poses an immediate
threat to safety or property, dial 911.

Our By-law Enforcement Officer is dedicated to maintaining a safe and enjoyable community for all residents by ensuring that Municipal By-laws are followed. Staff is available as a resource to answer any questions or concerns relating to By-laws, and enforce community standards when needed.

The By-law Officer responds to public complaints and concerns regarding violations such as noise, nuisances, parking and more. Our aim is not just to enforce the by-laws but to educate and work with the community to prevent future issues.

Short Term Accommodation 24/7 Hotline

The Township is launching a 24/7 hotline for reporting issues related to Short Term Accommodations. If you would like to report an issue with a Short Term Rental Property, please call:

(226) 909-2060

or report online through Contact GB.

For more information, visit www.georgianbluffs.ca/STA.

How to Report a By-Law Violation

If you encounter a situation that you believe violates our by-laws that you are unable to resolve through friendly conversation, you can report it to our By-law Officer. Here's how:

Step 1: Identify and Gather Information

Identify the Issue: It can help to be familiar with the Township's By-laws.
Collect Details: Note the location, time, and date, and if possible, gather photographic or video evidence.

Step 2: Contact By-Law Enforcement

Online: Use our ContactGB portal to submit your complaint.
Phone: Call us at 519-376-2729 ext. 307 during business hours for immediate assistance.
24/7 STA Hotline: For issues specific to Short Term Accommodations, call (226) 909-2060.

Please note that anonymous calls will not be responded to. Please provide your name and a method of contact for us to follow up with if necessary.

Step 3: Follow-Up

Our By-law Officer will review the details you provided and may conduct site visits or speak with involved parties typically within a week, often sooner. The majority of by-law complaints are resolved quickly in a single visit with no punitive actions needed. Some cases may lead to charges and/or proceed to the Provincial Court system.

By-Law Hours and Availability

Our by-law officers are not available 24/7; however, they work a flexible schedule covering weekdays, weekends, and evenings. For urgent issues outside these hours, contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 911.

Over the course of the 2024 Summer season, the Township will be partnering with a third party security firm to assist with general enforcement, and dedicated enforcement for the upcoming short term accommodation licensing process. This partnership will expand the Township's enforcement capabilities, covering weekdays, weekends (including holiday weekends), and evenings.

Understanding the Enforcement Process

Initial Investigation

Upon receiving a report, officers investigate to verify the complaint. This may involve discussions with the complainant, neighbours, or a visit to the site.

Resolution and Enforcement

If a violation is confirmed, the Township’s first approach is to resolve the issue amicably and prevent recurrence. If unresolved through mediation, formal charges may be laid, leading to a Provincial Court process.

Court Proceedings and Penalties

Violations that proceed to court are overseen by a Justice of the Peace. Penalties typically include fines, and the offender may have a record in the Provincial Court system.

By understanding and participating in our by-law enforcement process, you help maintain the standards that make the Township of Georgian Bluffs a great place to live. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our By-Law Enforcement team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if immediate action is needed?

For urgent concerns, especially those involving safety, contact the OPP immediately.

Why might there be no immediate action on my report?

While most cases are resolved swiftly, sometimes more information is needed, or legal processes delay resolution. Persistent issues should be reported to ensure patterns of behaviour are identified and addressed.

I've been reported multiple times; why?

Each complaint is investigated thoroughly. Actions are only taken if there is clear evidence supporting the complaint. Vexatious complaints without substance are not pursued.

I called by-law and nothing was done. Why not?

All issues reported to our by-law officer are investigated. In many cases, the first visit is able to resovle the issue and no further work is required. More than 90% of matters we look into are resolved without any further actions being needed.

In some cases, we may not be able to gather enough information to proceed. If a problem persists, or is not resolved the first time, please let us know so we can document a pattern of repeated behavior. In some cases though, working through the investigation and seeking to resolve an issue can take a long time, particularly if the courts are involved. In some instances, it may take longer than a year to resolve a complaint. Long periods of time might lapse between a complaint and the issue being resolved, and in these periods there may not be updates that can be provided. However, all matters are addressed.

The best way to be kept up-to-date is by making the initial complaint on ContactGB. This will provide you a case number and will allow you to get automatic updates as a case is investigated.

I called OPP and nothing was done. Why not?

OPP resources are limited and OPP will dispatch officers on the basis of priority of call. Even if an OPP officer cannot attend a call, a record is made of the call and issue. These records are important in case of repeated behaviors.

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