The following is a listing of the by-laws most frequently requested by the public.
These by-laws are available in English only. Persons seeking by-laws not on our website are asked to contact the Township Clerk’s office.
By-laws on This Page
- Animal control
- Temporary car shelter
- Encroachment
- Fire
- Garage sale
- Parking
- Property standards
- Road cuts
- Swimming pool and fences
Animal Control (cats and dogs)
How many animals are permitted?
A maximum of 3 dogs, or 3 cats, or a combination of 4 of these animals (with the exception for farming operations, kennels or pet shops) is allowed per household within the Township of Champlain.
The Ten Responsibilities of Dog Owners
- Do not allow your dog to run free
- Keep your dog from trespassing on private or municipal property
- Always keep your dog on a leash
- Always pick up your dog's feces
- Do not allow your dog to bark persistently
- Do not allow your dog to attack or bite another domestic animal
- Register your dog with the Municipality (dog tag) on an annual basis
- Have your dog vaccinated against rabies
- Have your dog spayed or neutered
- Provide regular care and attention to your dog
Dog Tags
The By-Law Department provides animal care and control services including the issuance of dog licenses (for dogs aged 16 weeks and over) and ensures that pet owners are made aware of what controls are in place when violations occur. Licensing registers your dog and provides a means by which it can be identified and returned to you if it gets lost. Licensing also addresses public health and safety concerns associated with stray animals.
Fees and Payment Methods |
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Payment Methods
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Animal Control By-Law 98-42 |
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Contact the By-Law Enforcement Department for more information.
Car Shelters
Temporary Car Shelters
Tempo garages may be erected from October 15th to April 15th without obtaining a permit and must comply with the following conditions:
- Vehicle shelter are accessory structures to a dwelling house;
- Vehicle shelter shall not exceed a maximum height of 4 m;
- Only one vehicle shelter per dwelling unit;
- Shall not encroach onto the public highway right-of-way;
- Shall not obstruct a sidewalk;
- Shall be located at a minimum distance of 1.5 m from the front line and 0.5 m from any interior side lot line;
- Shall not obstruct snow ploughing of sidewalks and roads;
- Shall not impede visibility at the approach of an intersection.
Anyone who does not remove the entire structure of the temporary shelter before April 15th will be issued an offence notice.
Permanent Car Shelters
"Tempo" car shelter may be erected on a permanent basis, in the back yard only, by obtaining a building permit and in accordance with the conditions stated in By-law #2000-75:
- Shall be located in the back yard only;
- No more than two vehicle shelters shall be permitted on the same lot;
- Shall require the issuance of a building permit;
- Shall be located at a minimum distance of 1.2 m from any rear and interior side lot line and at a minimum distance of 3.5 m from an exterior side lot line.
| Car Shelter By-Law |
Contact the By-Law Enforcement Department for more information.
Encroachment
This By-law has been adopted by the municipal council to allow any person owning or occupying any building or part of a building that has been inadvertently wholly or partially erected upon a highway, to maintain and use such building, through the issuance of an aerial, sub-surface or surface encroachment permit.
This By-law also regulates the temporary use of any highway during building construction for the storage of materials. Furthermore, an encroachment permit may be issued for ornamental structures or building accessories (windows, cornices, eaves, awnings, sills, brackets...).
No person shall construct or erect any encroachment without first obtaining a permit.
Fees |
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| Encroachment By-Law |
Contact the Public Works Department for more information.
Fire
Prior to burning any material on any property, an application must be filed by the landowner before a fire permit is issued. The fee for this permit is $10.00. Certain criteria must be met before obtaining permission to burn. The Township application contains pertinent information that will assist the applicant in burning the material safely.
For more information, visit the fire permit page.
Fire Control By-Law |
Contact the Fire Department for more information.
Garage Sale
You may hold a garage sale for one day to three days at the most, per sale.
A garage sale license is always required, even for your first garage sale of the year.
Any subsequent garage sale during a calendar year will be charged the prescribed fee, such license being valid for one sale only.
It is an offence to:
- Sell items other than personal property
- Fail to obtain a garage sale license
- Hold a garage sale for more than 3 consecutive days
- Hold a garage sale at an address other than indicated
- Fail to display garage sale license
- Hold a garage sale on sidewalk, street or other public place
- Hold a garage sale when prohibited
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| Garage Sale By-Law |
Contact the By-Law Enforcement Department for more information.
Parking
The objective of this By-law is to ensure that all highways, roads and sidewalks are kept clear for the benefit of both vehicles' and pedestrians' traffic.
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Wards | Restrictions |
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Wards 1 and 2, |
Overnight parking on a street or highway is not permitted between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 7:00 a.m., from October 31st to March 31st. |
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Wards 3 and 4, |
Parking on municipal roads is not permitted between October 31st to March 31st. |
Please note that parking restrictions are strictly imposed during snow removal operations. Commonly seen infractions include parking:
- On a sidewalk
- Within 5 meters of an intersection
- Within 5 meters of a pedestrian crosswalk
- On a crosswalk
- Within 3 meters of a fire hydrant
- In a no parking zone
- In excess of one hour or two hours on street (where signs are posted)
- Between 12:00 am and 7:00 am on street from the 31st of October of the current year and the 31st of March of the succeeding year
- In a handicapped parking zone
- Where prohibited
- Wrong direction on street.
| Parking By-Law |
Contact the By-Law Enforcement Department for more information.
Property Standards
The Property Standards By-law sets standards for maintenance and occupancy for all properties within the Township of Champlain.
This By-law covers the following:
- Sewage and drainage
- Walkways and driveways
- Fences
- Any structures, particularly dwelling units, both interior and exterior
- Garbage disposal
- Yards and surface conditions, including vacant lands and vacant buildings.
- Properties must be properly maintained to ensure the conditions are safe, clean and orderly.
All property owners are required to repair and maintain their property according to standards.
Repair and maintenance may be carried out by a tenant provided there is an agreement between owner and occupant.
Enforcement
Following an official written complaint, the By-law Enforcement Officer investigates and determines if a violation exists. If a violation is found, the Officer may issue informal notices and/or orders to remedy which involve specific information on the violation. The owner is given a reasonable time to have the work completed or condition repaired or rendered secure.
If you are a tenant and have concerns that repairs and maintenance ought to be carried out in your living or working area, it would be advisable to first notify the landlord of the defect, both verbally and in writing. This gives the landlord the opportunity to resolve the issue. If the concerns are not adequately addressed, then you may register the official complaint with us.
| Property Standards By-Law |
Contact the Planning Department for more information.
Road Cuts
This By-law regulates the installation of services on or under roads and sidewalks in our Township.
Any person who needs to break, excavate, bore under, tunnel or dig up part of a road is required to obtain a Road Cut Permit from the By-law Enforcement Department beforehand. The applicant is responsible to locate all other underground public services and to maintain a secure construction at all times.
Reinstallation and backfill following such works are closely supervised by the Public Works employees.
A security deposit is required for such works and is released after one calendar year, once the Public Works Department has inspected and approved in final acceptance. Depending on the surface affected, different guidelines apply and the sum of the security deposit required will vary with each case.
It is important to note that although inspections are carried out by the Public Works Department, it is the By-law Enforcement Department that issues the Road Cut Permit.
| Road Cut By-Law |
Contact the By-Law Enforcement Department for more information.
Swimming Pools & Fences
Please note that in the Township of Champlain we are most concerned about safety, particularly that of our children and of all our residents and visitors in our jurisdiction. Consequently, owners of privately-owned hot tubs and swimming pools, whether inground, above ground or inflatable (with 18 inches of water and more), have to obtain a permit from our Department. An inspection from one of our officers follows the installation to ensure compliance with the By-law and other regulations.
Safety points to keep in mind:
- First, it is very important that the location is approved by the Chief Building Official to ensure that they are properly situated in relation to septic tanks, septic fields and property lines.
- All in ground swimming pool enclosures must be at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) in height.
- All above ground swimming pools whose walls are 1.2 meters (4 feet) or more are considered to be enclosed. Access to the pool (ladders, stairs or decks) must be restricted and provided with locking devices.
- Lockable covers over inflatable pools and hot tubs are considered an acceptable and approved means to prevent access.
- Accessory equipment such as pool filters, water heaters and pumps must be located no less than 36 inches from the pool wall to prevent climbing access.
- If any deck is constructed as part of the installation of the pool, construction details and location must also be approved by the Building Department.
Fees |
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| Pool and Fences By-Law |
Contact the Building Department for more information.
[1] Taxes not included. Prices are given for information purposes. If there are differences between the rates given on the website and in the User Fees document adopted by Council, the User Fees document shall be taken as correct.
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