Key By-Laws You Should Know
By-laws are local regulations established by the Township to promote a safe, healthy, and respectful community. They apply to all residents, renters, and visitors.
Below is a brief selection of key examples - Click on the buttons for more details:
NOISE & FIREWORKS
- Allowed from 7am to 9pm (Mon-Sat), and from Noon to 6pm (Sunday)
- Fireworks allowed only on designated days, dusk–11pm
- Requires a licence
- Renters Code of Conduct
OUTDOOR BURNING
- No daytime burning between 8am and 6pm from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31
- During a Fire Ban, NO BURNING AT ALL
- Permit required for larger or restricted burns
- Adopt responsible lighting principles (including indoor lighting that spills outdoors)
- Mitigate light pollution
- Conserve the Dark Sky environment
- No littering or damage to property
- Dogs must be leashed
- Motorized vehicles restricted to designated areas
- Trails are mainly for walking, biking, and limited snowmobile use
- No dumping on land or roadsides
- Public bins are not for household garbage
- Keep with you and take to nearest District Transfer Station: On Echo Lake, it's the McLean Transfer Station (3901 Brunel Road, Baysville)
- DURING WINTER – No parking on roadways
- Violations may result in tickets, penalties, or towing
- Accessible parking spaces are enforced for permit holders
CONTACT BY-LAW SERVICES
To report a violation or to request service, please visit
Report It - Lake Of Bays
You can:
You can:
- Report an issue
- Pay a penalty
- Dispute a penalty (via AMPS system)
If a by-law is broken:
- Complaints must be submitted formally (no anonymous reports)
- The Township investigates and may issue:
- Warnings
- Tickets / penalties
- Orders to comply
- Work done at owner’s expense
- Dogs must be licensed
- Not allowed to trespass
- Must be leashed in public
- Owners must clean up waste
- No dogs on public beaches (May-Sept)
- Feeding or attracting bears is prohibited (includes leaving food or waste accessible)
- Secure garbage and food sources
- Not permitted on list of roads found in by-law
- 20-50 km/hour max speed
- Vehicle shall be operated along the shoulder or along edge of roadway
- Should match approved septic use permit
On A Loosely Related Note:
Did you know you can vote twice in municipal elections?
If you own or rent property in the Township of Lake of Bays, you can vote in BOTH your permanent and seasonal municipalities, provided you are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on Election Day. You will be able to vote by internet and telephone for approximately ten days leading up to Election Day. That means if you are a seasonal resident, you do not need to make a special trip to the cottage to vote!