The City of Orillia is committed to providing a professional level of by-law enforcement service. The primary goals of the City's by-law enforcement are:
Public safety
Protection of residents' peaceful enjoyment of their property
Improvement of the overall appearance of the City of Orillia
Improvement of quality of life for residents
The Development Services and Engineering Department - Legislative Services Division is responsible for the enforcement of most regulatory by-laws, including parking. Enforcement is conducted on both a proactive and reactive basis.
The most commonly requested by-laws are below.
Municipal Code Chapter 834 - Clean and Clear prohibits the storing of waste on a property including:
Unlicensed motor vehicles
Household garbage
Tires
Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Development Services and Engineering Department - Legislative, Building, Parking and Transit 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.
Municipal Code Chapter 835 – Anti-Graffiti prohibits a person from placing graffiti on any property, and also requires an owner to remove any graffiti placed on their property.
A person who breaches the Anti-Graffiti By-law can face a fine of up to $5,000.
The by-law also provides the authority for City staff or its contractors to enter onto a private property to remove graffiti and recover the costs of doing the work in the same manner as property taxes.
What is the purpose of an Anti-Graffiti By-law?
Graffiti promotes a negative image to residents, visitors and businesses. An Anti-Graffiti By-law provides a tool to the municipality to have graffiti removed which helps improve the overall appearance of the City.
Promptly removing graffiti aids to reduce the future occurrences of graffiti throughout the City.
How do I report a complaint regarding graffiti?
If you observe a person placing graffiti on someone's property, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police immediately at: 1-888-310-1122.
If you wish to report graffiti located on a property so that City staff can follow up with the property owner to have it removed, you can choose one of the following options:
Email councilservices@orillia.ca
Call 705-325-2313
Report the matter in person at the Orillia City Centre, 50 Andrew Street South (1st Floor).
Who can I contact to remove graffiti from my property?
If you are unable to remove the graffiti yourself contact a professional. See "Graffiti Removal" in the yellow pages or at yellowpages.ca.
Do you have tips on how to remove graffiti?
Yes, however, it is important to remember that the above methods are guidelines only. The City of Orillia does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Website and is not responsible in any way for damages arising out of the use of removal methods described on this Website.
Brick/Stone
Apply a paint remover or chemical graffiti remover with a soft brush and then rinse off with water.
If the graffiti is more difficult to remove, try a gel product and let it sit on the surface for 10 - 15 minutes.
Rinse with a power or pressure washer.
Depending on the type of paint used, a shadow tag may remain after cleaning. Usually a second cleaning will remove or reduce the appearance of the shadow.
NOTE: Hot water pressure is more effective than a cold water system when removing graffiti.
Metal
Apply a small amount of graffiti remover, use a gentle scrub pad or cloth, and then wash off with a spray water bottle.
Tile/Granite/Marble
These surfaces are very delicate and we recommend you seek professional advice.
You can try applying a small amount graffiti remover to a small area and gently scrubbing it off.
Stop immediately if you see this process is damaging the area.
Wood
Painting over or power washing the area may be most effective.
In some cases graffiti remover can be applied and scrubbed with a soft scrub pad.
Always test the remover in a small area before covering the entire surface.
When painting over, be sure to match the original paint colour as best as you can and paint the entire surface.
Plastic (including Vinyl Siding)
Use graffiti remover and lightly use a scrub pad, then rinse or use a pressure washer.
CAUTION: Some plastics will break down as soon as remover is applied, so it's best to try a small area to start.
In some cases, a mild household cleaner may remove the graffiti, however, you may end up having to repaint the area with matching paint.
Do not use paint thinners as they can soften the plastic and can cause clouding or permanent tackiness of the surface.
Glass
Use a razor blade to scrape off the graffiti and/or use graffiti remover.
If the graffiti doesn't come off completely after using the razor blade, use ultra-fine bronze wood with water to gently rub off the remaining paint.
Pavement
Apply graffiti remover (and possibly a gel product).
Power wash off (soda blasting may also work).
Is there anywhere to obtain paint free of charge?
Yes, residents are able to pick up free cans of paint during regular hours of operation at the Reuse Depot located at the Waste Diversion Site, 100 Kitchener Street.
For their hours of operation and phone number, ReuseProgram
Note: Reuse Depot is closed during winter months.
Can parents be held financially responsible for property damage or destruction intentionally caused by their children who are under 18 year of age?
Yes. View the Ministry of the Attorney General's Website for further information.
Municipal Code Chapter 999 – Idling of Vehicles 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. A municipal idling control by-law is a concrete step that has been taken to help reduce negative impacts on the environment
There are a number of situations where the idling restriction does not apply - including vehicles involved in an emergency activity.
Municipal Code Chapter 667 - Vehicle - Motorized - Snow prohibits snowmobiles from being 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 By-law Enforcement at 705-325-2313.
To report a complaint regarding snowmobiles, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
Neighbourhood Safety and Nuisance Fees
Municipal Code Chapter 912 - Neighbourhood Safety and Nuisance Fees aims to reduce negative impacts on neighbouring properties and improve the safety of residential neighbourhoods. Additionally, this by-law reduces the financial impact on the taxpayers of Orillia by helping to recover the costs for the police to regularly attend a property to enforce the specific offences set out in the by-law.
Municipal Code Chapter 938 – Noise regulates noise disturbances within the city limits. The noise by-law primarily regulates noise between the hours of 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., but there are some types of noise that are prohibited during the daytime hours as well.
The OPP are the primary enforcement agency for the City’s noise by-law during the quiet hours of 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., and noise issues can be reported to the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.
For noise complaints during regular hours, please contact the City of Orillia by-law enforcement office at 705-325-2313, or report a concern online.
Ride-Sharing and Taxicab Services
Municipal Code Chapter 700 – Business Licencing governs transportation network companies, or TNCs (commonly referred to as ride-sharing services) and taxicab companies within City limits. 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 the minimum requirement annually for all drivers that provide transportation services (ride-sharing and taxi-cab services). However, any taxicab 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.
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 inside the taxicab.
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.
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 have 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.
Municipal Code Chapter 832 - Signs sets out the requirements for signage in Orillia. Most signs require a sign permit prior to being erected.
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.
For sign permit inquiries, please contact 705-329-7258.
To report a complaint regarding signs, please contact By-Law Enforcement at 705-325-2313.
Municipal Code Chapter 658 - Obstruction - Encumbrance - Fouling - Loitering prohibits where snow can be deposited, among other items.
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.
Residents are prohibited from depositing snow in 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.
Sign up for Orillia News
Stay up to date on City of Orillia activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our news.
