Common By-law Inquiries

This section highlights some of the most common by-law inquiries and provides information to help you understand your responsibilities as a property owner or resident.

By maintaining your property and complying with local by-laws, you play an important role in creating great neighbourhoods and fostering a stronger sense of community and belonging.

Before starting a new project or operating a home-based business, you should determine whether a building permit or licence is required and confirm that your plans comply with applicable zoning requirements.

The City regulates a variety of animals and animal related conduct, specifically:

  • Maximum number of rabbits per dwelling
  • Maximum number of cats per dwelling
  • Regulations for domestic farm animals, poultry and fowl, pigeons and birds and exotic pets
  • Housing of other animals
  • Owner requirements
  • Care of animals
  • Impoundment
  • Disposal of animals
  • Animal traps

For further information, please review the Animal Control By-law or visit Animal Services

To report an animal concern, you may contact Animal Services operated by the Cambridge & District Humane Society by phone at (519) 623-6323.

For any concerns related to animal welfare, please contact Provincial Animal Welfare Services by phone at 1-833-9-ANIMAL.

Draining water away from your house will help to prevent water damage to the home.  It is equally important to consider where the water is being drained, and how it might affect your property and that of your neighbours.

·       Water can be drained from eavestroughs, downspout or sump pump discharge lines, but cannot be directed at a neighbouring property or directly on an entranceway, walkway, stair, or sidewalk.

·       Yards shall be graded and maintained to prevent ponding of storm water.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Checking with current by-laws when choosing to extend your driveway will ensure you meet the requirements and maintain an appropriate appearance for the neighbourhood.

·       Depending on the width of your lot and landscaped opensace area, a driveway extension may be permitted.  Please ensure that you check with Planning staff to confirm the requirements and restrictions at your property based on the Zoning By-law that is in effect.

·       When altering or widening your private driveway, you are not permitted to alter or widen the City owned boulevard without prior approval from the Transportation Division.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

To keep our community clean and safe, the City requires all exterior yards to be maintained in good condition at all times. This includes, but is not limited to:

Keeping all lands free of:

  • Garbage, litter, debris, salvage materials, or discarded items
  • Appliances or appliance parts
  • Human or animal waste
  • Graffiti
  • Broken or unused building materials
  • Inoperable vehicles, vehicle parts, or machinery
  • Indoor furniture placed outdoors
  • Kitchen or table waste
  • Yard waste
  • Vehicles on front yards
  • Stagnant water
  • Obstructed designated accessible parking spaces and fire routes

Maintaining vegetation and outdoor conditions:

  • Grass and weeds must not exceed eight (8) inches in height
  • Trees and vegetation beside sidewalks must maintain a vertical clearance of 5.0 metres

Dumping or littering:

  • No person shall dump or litter any refuse on any property

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Fences help keep kids and pets safe, give us privacy and can add visual appeal to our yards and neighbourhoods.  If not installed in the right location or to the right height, they can also cause unsafe conditions by blocking views of traffic and pedestrians.

The type of property and location of the fence dictate the maximum height and are as follows:

  • Fences between the front of the house and the front property line are permitted to be 0.9 metres (3 feet) high.
  • Fences located between the front face of the house and the rear property line and along the rear property line are permitted to be a maximum of 2.1 metres (6.9 feet) high.
  • Notwithstanding the above, on a corner lot, a fence not exceeding 2.1 metres (6.9 feet) in height may be erected to the front lot line provided that no fence shall be erected or maintained higher than 0.75 metres (2.5 feet) within a specific distance from corners to ensure clear lines of sight.

Other important information:

  • A permit is not required when building a fence unless it is intended to be built around a swimming pool in which case other restrictions apply.
  • Fences cannot be erected by residents on City-owned property.
  • Fences must be maintained in good repair, free from hazards and reasonably plumb.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

 

The City allows for the sale and display of fireworks on the following holidays:

  • Victoria Day
  • Canada Day
  • Diwali

For further information on fireworks and safety, please visit the Fireworks page or review the Fireworks By-law.

To report fireworks concerns, please call 519-623-1340.  This 24/7 Service Cambridge line provides direct access to By-law dispatch at any time of day; for urgent matters after hours, press 1.
To report non-urgent fireworks concerns, use our online reporting tool.

Parking on the front lawn affects the overall appearance of a neighbourhood as it reduces street appeal and can cause damage to the lawn.

In the City of Cambridge, parking on any portion of the front lawn is not permitted.

Motor vehicles, utility trailers and recreational equipment are to be parked in driveways and properly stored in accordance with the Lot Maintenance and Zoning By-laws. 

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Working from home may be an ideal situation for some.  When considering a home-based business, it’s important to know what is or isn’t permitted and what licenses may be required.

  • Specific types of businesses are permitted in a residential zone as a home-based business
  • a business license may be required for your home-based business
  • licenses and approvals must be obtained prior to operating a home-based business

For further information, please contact Service Cambridge at 519-623-1340.

To inquire about permitted home-based businesses at a specific property, please speak with the Planning Division.

For information regarding the requirements and process for obtaining a business licence, please speak with the Clerk's Division.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Limiting excessive noise and being considerate of others will help to build positive relationships with your neighbours. 

To report noise concerns, please call 519-623-1340.  This 24/7 Service Cambridge line provides direct access to By-law dispatch at any time of day; for urgent matters after hours, press 1.
To report non-urgent noises concerns, use our online reporting tool.

The City regulates parking to help ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and driver can travel safely and efficiently. To view a list of general parking regulations, please visit the Parking page.

To report parking concerns, please call 519-623-1340.  This 24/7 Service Cambridge line provides direct access to By-law dispatch at any time of day; for urgent matters after hours, press 1.
To report non-urgent parking concerns, use our online reporting tool.

Public parks are places people can come together for leisure and enjoyment.  In many cases, they are an extension of our homes and can be the heart of a neighbourhood.

Cambridge parks include public open space, sports fields, playgrounds, woodlots, valley lands, playgrounds, wetlands and trails and are managed or maintained by the City for use by citizens.

Park users are encouraged to be considerate of the land and others who use it by:

  • depositing litter and waste in available garbage bins
  • leaving the park in the same condition it was found and not damaging the property in any way
  • leaving motorized vehicles in appropriate parking areas as they are not permitted in parks
  • respecting all people, pets and land found in public parks
  • obtaining all necessary approvals or permits for certain uses of the park
  • abiding by all official signage and park rules

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

A Penalty Notice (ticket) is issued for local by-law infractions. If you receive a Penalty Notice, you have two options:

  1. Pay the Penalty Notice

  2. Request a screening review if you wish to provide an explanation or dispute the penalty:

A request for a screening or payment must be received within the prescribed timelines. A screening request must be submitted within 15 days of the issuance of a parking penalty notice, or within 30 days of the issuance of a non-parking penalty notice.

Payment of a parking penalty notice is due within 15 days of the effective date of service. Payment of a non-parking penalty notice is due within 30 days of the effective date of service.

Where a screening is requested, payment shall be made in accordance with the screening decision.

The City oversees the interior and exterior conditions of buildings to help ensure public safety and protect the well‑being of occupants. Common Property Standards issues include:

  • Yard hazards such as dilapidated structures or hazardous trees
  • Sewage and drainage concerns
  • Structural issues
  • Plumbing deficiencies
  • Heating system problems
  • Electrical service concerns
  • Light and ventilation requirements
  • Unsafe or hazardous conditions
  • Broken windows
  • Vacant building maintenance
  • Fences in disrepair
  • Retaining walls in disrepair

Property Standards inspections verify that property owners are meeting the minimum requirements for building maintenance and occupancy.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Recreational equipment provides leisure and fun.  It also requires proper storage throughout the year to keep your neighbourhood tidy.

  • Recreational equipment includes motor homes, travel trailers, tent trailers, boats, boat trailers, or other similar equipment.
  • Recreational equipment and utility trailers should be parked:
    • by the owner of the recreational equipment or utility trailer who resides in or owns a building on the same lot;
    • in the rear yard;
    • in the side yard, but not closer than 1.2 meters to the interior side lot line;
    • on a driveway in the front yard or exterior side yard for a period from April 1 to October 31 of each year only.
  • A utility trailer that is not more than 5.5 meters in length is permitted to park in a driveway year-round.
  • Landscaped openspace areas cannot be used for the parking or storage of recreational equipment and utility trailers.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

Retaining walls are a functional way to address changes in grading on your property and can also be an attractive addition to the visual landscape of your property.

  • When planning a retaining wall, it is important to consider how high you intend to build.  Should your retaining wall exceed 1 meter in height, you may require a building permit.
  • A permit is not necessary when building a retaining wall under 1 meter in height.
  • Retaining walls must be maintained and kept in good repair.

The City requires residents to clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering their property thirty-six (36) hours after the cessation of a weather event. Clearing sidewalks allows everyone in the community, including persons with accessibility or mobility issues to travel safely.

For further information, please visit the Winter Maintenance page or review the Corridor Management By-law.

Report a Snow/Ice concern

In partnership with Community Support Connections (CSC) we offer:

  • A free Snow Removal Assistance Program for up to 50 residences whose occupants are both physically and financially unable to clear snow from their sidewalk and/or driveway apron.
  • A pay-for-service program. This program allows eligible residents to access full winter sidewalk and driveway snow services for a set fee. 

Contact CSC online or by calling (519) 772-8787 to learn more.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.

When a Permit is Required

You must apply for a permit before installing any swimming pool or hot tub capable of having a water depth of 76.2cm (30 inches) or more at any point.  For assistance with a pool permit application, please call the Municipal By-law Compliance Team at 519-623-1340 or send us an email at servicecambridge@cambridge.ca. 

After Your Permit Is Issued

Before your pool or hot tub can be used:

  • Do not add or maintain water in the pool or hot tub prior to obtaining final approval from the City
  • A final inspection must be requested and scheduled by the owner or contractor through the Municipal By-law Compliance team.
At the time of final approval for a swimming pool or hot tub, an inspection will be conducted, during which the By-law Officer will verify that:
  • The pool is enclosed by a fence that complies with the Fence By-law
  • The hot tub is enclosed by a fence that complies with the Fence By-law or with a lockable lid
  • All gates are lockable
  • No climbable objects are identified outside of the pool enclosure
  • The pool or hot tub meet the required setbacks from property lines

For further information on requirements, please review the Zoning By-law and the Fence By-law on our Frequently Referenced By-laws page.

To report a violation, use our online reporting tool.