Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Township of Muskoka Lakes Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
Contact UsCareersProperty TaxesReport a Concern
  • Our Community
    • Cemeteries
    • Community Calendar
    • Community and Support Services
    • Clean Muskoka Together
    • Engage Muskoka Lakes
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Health Hub
    • History, Heritage and Geography
    • Internet Connectivity
    • Library
    • Parking
    • Property Taxes
    • Roads and Sidewalks
    • Water and Sewer Services
    • Winter Safety
    View our Enage Muskoka Lakes page
    Engage Muskoka Lakes
    Community Calendar
    Community Calendar
  • Recreation & Leisure
    • Arenas
    • Community Calendar
    • Community Centres
    • Courts, Diamonds and Fields
    • Docks and Boat Launches
    • Historic Walks
    • Hike the Lakes Scavenger Hunt
    • Library
    • Parks, Beaches and Picnic Areas
    • Pickleball
    • Port Carling Wall
    • Swimming Program
    • Trails and Hiking
    • View the Lakes Chair Tour
    • Visiting Muskoka Lakes
    • Winter Fun Muskoka Lakes
    View our Visiting Muskoka Lakes page
    Visiting Muskoka Lakes
    View the Lakes Chair Tour
    View the Lakes Chair Tour
  • Business & Property Development
    • Attainable Housing Rebate Program
    • Available Lands and Buildings
    • Business Licences and Permits
    • Business Support and Resources
    • Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
    • Community Profile
    • Doing Business Here
    • Maps
    • Official Plan
    • Property Development
    View our Inspections page
    Book an Inspection
    View our Property Development page
    Property Development
  • Township Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Budget and Financial Statements
    • By-law and Enforcement
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Council and Committees
    • Departments
    • Fees and Charges
    • Municipal Elections
    • Municipal Grants
    • Municipal Policies
    • News and Notices
    • Office of the Mayor
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Property Taxes
    • View More...
    View our Report a Concern page
    Report a Concern
sunset on a lake

By-law and Enforcement

HomeTownship HallBy-law and Enforcement
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email
  • By-law and Enforcement
    Toggle Section By-law and Enforcement Menu
    • Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)
    • By-law Orders and Appeals
    • Dark Sky in Muskoka Lakes
    • Site Alteration and Tree Conservation By-Laws
    • Short Term Rental Accommodations
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
      Toggle Section Accessibility Menu
      • Browsealoud
    • Accountability and Transparency
      Toggle Section Accountability and Transparency Menu
      • Submit a Claim
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Budget and Financial Statements
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
      Toggle Section Contact Us Menu
      • Feedback and Suggestions
    • Council and Committees
      Toggle Section Council and Committees Menu
      • Agendas and Minutes
      • Committee Recruitment
      • Speaking at a Meeting
      • Webcasting and Video Updates
    • Departments
    • Fees and Charges
    • Municipal Elections
    • Municipal Grants
    • Municipal Policies
    • News and Notices
      Toggle Section News and Notices Menu
      • Planning Notices
      • Road Closures
      • Webcasting and Video Updates
      • COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
    • Office of the Mayor
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Property Taxes
      Toggle Section Property Taxes Menu
      • Tax Sales
    • Report a Concern

view of moon river at sunset

Under the authority of the Provincial Statues, by-laws are created to address issues and concerns of the local community. They are created to protect the environment, public health, public safety or to maintain an orderly appearance to your community.

The role of the By-law Enforcement Officer includes education, investigation and enforcement of all By-laws within the Township. It is not necessary for a By-law Enforcement Officer to attend each site to carryout enforcement procedures. Usually the officer will rely on information provided by the complainant.

Report a By-law Infraction

It is always best if neighbours can respectfully resolve their issues without the need for By-law Enforcement. If possible, discuss the problem with your neighbour. Remember to focus on the issue, listen to their concerns, and look for mutually beneficial solutions.

If your efforts to resolve the matter with your neighbour have been unsuccessful, the Township's By-law Enforcement team may be able to assist in resolving the issue. Contact the By-law Enforcement Team to learn about the Township's By-laws and if they apply to your situation.

To report an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Submit a question or concern through our online form. These submissions are reviewed during regular office hours. If your concern requires immediate attention, please call the municipal office at 705-765-3156. After operating hours, you will speak with our afterhours messaging service who will contact a staff member if necessary. All complaints are kept confidential.

Report a Concern

Process for Submitting a Complaint

  • Website Report a Concern Form.
  • Written complaint or completed complaint form submitted by Mail, Email, Fax or Hand Delivered to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Office.
    • Mailing Address: PO Box 129, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
    • Fax: (705) 765-6755
    • E-mail your form to the By-law Officer.
  • Call (705) 765-3156 – Answering Service is available 24/7 and the call taker will record the complaint and forward it to the Township.
  • Burning & Fireworks By-laws - Please call 705-765-3156 (answering service is available 24/7) to report a Burning and Fireworks By-law complaint.

After Hours

  • Complete online form or email complaint to the By-law Officer.
  • Call (705) 765-3156 – Answering Service is available 24/7 and the call taker will record the complaint and forward it to the Township.

Once a Complaint has Been Received

By-law Enforcement Officer may contact the complainant via phone or e-mail to:

  • Obtain more information to complete the investigation.
  • Relay information to complainant regarding any action taken.

A By-law Enforcement Officer cannot stop people from contravening by-laws; he/she can only enforce the by-laws. Compliance with by-laws may be achieved in the following manner:

  • Giving verbal or written warnings and providing copies of the appropriate by-laws;
  • Issuing a Part 1 ticket in accordance with the Provincial Offenses Act (short form wording and set fines);
  • Summoning a defendant to court, usually initiated for a second, third or more serious offense where a larger fine or a Court Order is appropriate.

Regulatory By-laws

By-Laws are created as a way to address local issues and concerns. They are adopted to protect the environment, public health and safety, or to maintain an orderly appearance in the community.

View our listing of Frequently Requested By-Laws. 

View more By-Laws in our Document Centre.

Burning & Fireworks By-laws

Please call 705-765-3156 (answering service is available 24/7) to report a Burning and Fireworks By-law complaint. The Muskoka Lakes Fire Department is responsible for enforcement of the Burning and Fireworks By-laws.

  • Burning By-law 
  • Fireworks By-law

Concerns About Development?

It is always best if neighbours can respectfully resolve their issues without the need for By-law Enforcement. If possible, discuss the problem with your neighbour. Remember to focus on the issue, listen to their concerns, and look for mutually beneficial solutions.

If your efforts to resolve the matter with your neighbour have been unsuccessful, the Township's By-law Enforcement team may be able to assist in resolving the issue. Contact the By-law Enforcement Team to learn about the Township's By-laws and if they apply to your situation. You may find an answer to your inquiry in our By-law Fact Sheet.

The Muskoka GeoHub has an interactive mapping tool that provides a great deal of helpful information on development projects in Muskoka Lakes. This convenient self-use tool is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To report an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

By-laws in the Township of Muskoka Lakes protect our environment, public health and safety, and help us maintain an enjoyable community for everyone. They are created as a way to address the community's issues and concerns.

By-laws

Business Licensing

Fire Control/Burning

Property Standards

Site Alteration

STR Licensing

Comprehensive Zoning

Noise

Fireworks

Site Plan Control

Public Docks & Ramps

Dog Control

Parking

Signs

Tree Conservation

Dark Sky

View a complete list of our Frequently Requested By-laws.

Documents on Website

Please note only commonly requested by-laws are posted on the website. Those provided electronically are for information only and may not retain the exact structure of the original versions. Readers should verify information before acting on it.

All by-laws are available at the Office of the Clerk, and reference should be made to the official version for any legal purposes. Every effort is made to ensure the by-laws on this website are accurate and contains the latest amendments; however, the Township of Muskoka Lakes cannot guarantee the accuracy of information provided here.

All documents are available at the Office of the Clerk. To obtain an official version of a by-law, or to verify its accuracy and currency, please contact the Clerks department at 705-765-3156.

Call the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) at 1-888-310-1122 for complaints related to public nuisance, property damage, vandalism, public consumption of alcohol, traffic and criminal activities. 

Contact Us

subscribe light icon subscribe dark icon Subscribe to this Page

© 2019 Township of Muskoka Lakes, 1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0, T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755

DisclaimerAccessibilitySitemapWebsite Feedback

I Want To...

Apply or Register icon

Apply or Register

  • Bids and Tenders
  • Building Permits
  • Change Address Form
Report or Contact icon

Report or Contact

  • Book an Inspection
  • Contact Us
  • Report a Concern
Learn About icon

Learn About

  • Engage Muskoka Lakes
  • Fire Rating
  • Garbage and Recycling
  • Property Taxes
Online Payments icon

Online Payments

  • Property Taxes
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.