Frequently Asked Questions

Business Licensing

Ride-sharing and Taxi Cab Services

Summary of By-law Regulations for Ride-sharing and Taxicab Services

The by-law regulations governing transportation network companies, or TNCs (commonly referred to as ride-sharing services) and taxicab companies can be found in the Licensing By-law. These regulations establish minimum standards, and are intended to help ensure passenger safety, and consumer protection. Regulations include:

• Maximum vehicle age limit of ten (10) years.
• Safety standards certificate from a licensed Ontario mechanic for each vehicle operating under a TNC required once every year (semi-annually for taxicabs).
• A criminal record check is required annually for all drivers that provide transportation services to persons 18 years of age or older. Any driver that transports a person under 18 years of age (that is not with an adult), must first obtain a vulnerable sector screening certificate.
• Insurance must be maintained including commercial general liability insurance with a limit of not less 5 million dollars per occurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Transportation Network Companies (TNC) and Taxicab Companies:

Does the City set the fares charged by licensed transportation companies? No. TNCs and taxicab companies set fares they feel are appropriate for their business model.

Are licensed companies permitted to implement surge pricing? Yes. A TNC can apply surge pricing during peak (busy) periods for example, but a customer must agree to the price before the trip begins through the TNC’s app. Taxicab companies must ensure all rates including any scheduled price variance, is prominently displayed in characters of at least 0.5 centimetres in height and in Arial font on the sun visor or dashboard of each taxicab so that it is readable by any passenger situated inside the vehicle.

Do I need a licence from the City to be a TNC or taxicab driver? No. Only the companies require a licence to operate in Orillia. Drivers associated with a licensed TNC or taxicab company do not require a separate licence from the City. The City conducts random audits to determine whether all drivers affiliated with TNCs and taxicab companies are meeting by-law requirements.

Is street hailing prohibited? Street hailing of TNC vehicles is prohibited; all trips must be booked in advance through the TNC’s app. Street hailing of taxicabs is permitted.

When I book a trip with through a TNC’s application will I always see the driver’s name and photo? Before a trip starts, TNCs must give customers (through their app.), the driver’s first name and photo, as well as the companies’ contact information, estimated cost of a requested trip based on the destination, description of the vehicle, license plate number, and current location of the TNC Vehicle. Before getting into a vehicle, it is recommended that you check to make sure the photo matches with the driver that is picking you up.

Are TNC vehicles required to have any identifying markings or decals? Yes. TNC vehicles must have a decal displayed in the front windshield (passenger side) which displays the logo or name of the TNC. Taxicabs are also required to be identified which includes having a roof light.

Learn more about licensed transportation businesses in Orillia.

For more information about the by-law regulations, or file a complaint, contact the by-law office at 705-325-2313, or submit a complaint online.

Clean Yards

Does the City have a by-law that regulates properties where garbage or derelict vehicles are stored?

Yes. Chapter 834 of the Municipal Code prohibits the storing of waste on a property including:.

• Unlicensed motor vehicles
• Household garbage
• Tires

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Clerk's Department - Legislative Services Division. Complaints may be submitted by email or in person at the Orillia City Centre, (1st floor), 50 Andrew St. S. Please note that the complainant remains anonymous.

City of Orillia Clean and Clear By-law

Fireworks

Graffiti

Idling

Does the City have a by-law that prohibits idling?

Yes. The City has a by-law that prohibits the idling of vehicles for more than three minutes, whether the vehicle is located on private or public property. Idling control initiatives have been identified as a way of improving local air quality. In particular, vehicle emission combustion by-products contribute to smog and increased ground level ozone. As well, idling unnecessarily contributes to green house gas emissions. A municipal idling control by-law is a concrete step that has been taken to help reduce these unnecessary emissions.

There are a number of situations where the idling restriction does not apply - including vehicles involved in an emergency activity.

City of Orillia Idling By-law

Motorized Snowmobiles

What are the rules regarding snowmobiles?

Snowmobiles are not allowed to operated on any sidewalk, boulevard, park, prohibited trail or highway or on private property (without consent). Snowmobiles are also prohibited from operating between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.  On those streets where snowmobiles are permitted, they are only allowed for the purpose of travelling from the operator's residence to an approved trail or a lake and to return from such trail or lake to the operator's residence. The Motorized Snow Vehicles Act prohibits snowmobiles from operating at a greater rate of speed than 20 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone.

If you have any questions regarding snowmobiles, please contact the Clerk's Department - Legislative Services Division at 705-325-2313.

To report a complaint regarding snowmobiles, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

City of Orillia Snowmobiling By-law 

Sidewalk Use

What are the rules regarding the use of vehicles, skateboards, or rollerblades on sidewalks?

The Traffic/Parking By-law 2007-55, as amended, prohibits vehicles from operating on all sidewalks within the City including: bicycles, e-bikes, limited speed motorcycles, mopeds, motor assisted bicycles, pocket bikes, segways, and electric/motorized scooters.

Chapter 650 of the Municipal Code prohibits a person from inline skating or skateboarding on all sidewalks in the downtown area. For further information on the rules respecting inline skating or skateboarding in other areas of the City, please view Chapter 650.

Please note that personal mobility devices (motorized wheelchairs and medical scooters) are permitted on all sidewalks.

If you have any questions or to report a complaint, please contact the Clerk's Department - Legislative Services Division at 705-325-2313.

 Signs

Does the City have a Sign By-law?

Yes. Most signs require a sign permit prior to being erected.

For sign permit inquiries, please contact 705-329-7258.

To report a complaint regarding signs, please contact the Legislative Services Division at 705-325-2313.

City of Orillia Sign By-law

Are there different sign requirements in the downtown area?

Yes.  Signs erected in the established Downtown Sign Permit Area (DSPA) are required to meet a higher set of standards than those outside the DSPA.  The reason for these higher standards is to help achieve a high quality and visually consistent downtown area and ultimately give our downtown a true competitive advantage over other municipalities.

Summary of the sign standards in the DSPA

Snow Complaints

Is there a by-law prohibiting a person from dumping snow onto my property?

No. This is considered a civil matter and you may wish to seek legal advice.

Can I deposit snow or ice onto City property?

Snow may be deposited onto the City-owned boulevard immediately adjacent to his or her lot. Chapter 658 of the Municipal Code, however, specifically prohibits the depositing of snow or ice at the following locations:

(a) on a roadway or sidewalk;

(b) on a boulevard that is not adjacent to his or her lot, including but not limited to snow pushed or deposited across a street;

(c) on a boulevard that obstructs the line of sight of a driver of a vehicle at an intersection;

(d) on any City-owned or leased property located on a boulevard including signage, benches and garbage or recycling receptacles;

(e) on, or immediately adjacent to, a fire hydrant or in any manner that obstructs access to a fire hydrant;

(f) in such a manner so as to obstruct drainage to any City-owned drain or sewer;

(g) on any other City-owned property including parkland.

Tents within Parkland and Beach Areas

What size of tent is not permitted on a beach?

Any tent that is greater than 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height, or occupies a space greater than 4.6 square metres (50 square feet) is not permitted on a beach.

What size of tent is not permitted in a park (excluding a beach area)?

Any tent that occupies a space greater than 9.3 square metres (100 square feet) is not permitted on parkland unless a permit has been issued. 

Are there restrictions on when I can erect a tent?

Yes, a tent is not permitted anywhere in a park between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.