By-law Enforcement

Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officers investigate complaints and answer questions received from the public regarding various Township by-laws, including the Property Standards By-law and the Graffiti By-law.

About By-law Enforcement

By-law Enforcement Officers aim to:

• Increase public awareness of Township by-laws
• Educate residents on their responsibilities and rights as property owners or tenants
• Achieve compliance with Township by-laws to preserve the quality of community living which everyone is entitled to

Please keep in mind that there are some unavoidable neighbourhood inconveniences that are a part of community living and we are all asked to be reasonable and understanding at these times. However, excessive and continued activities that disturb or negatively affect the enjoyment of our neighbourhoods should not be tolerated by anyone.

By-law Infraction Reporting

If you have noticed a by-law infraction occurring, please report it. You can:

• Call or email a By-law Enforcement Officer
• Come to the Township Offices
• Use the Report a Problem form

By-law Enforcement Officers cannot be everywhere all the time and do not always see the violation as it is occurring. We rely on complaints from the public to enforce our by-laws. You will need to provide your name and phone number but it will be kept confidential.

Depending on the type of by-law infraction, the Waterloo Regional Police Service may be able to help you after hours and on the weekend. If it is not an emergency or the police are unable to assist, please contact By-law Enforcement.

Property Standards

Property Standards complaints are also investigated by our By-law Enforcement Officers. 

We all have neighbours and no one wants to live next to a property that is unsightly or could possibly pose a health or safety concern to ourselves or our families. That is why municipalities have a Property Standards By-law, including the Township of Wilmot.

Questions or concerns regarding a specific property can be forwarded to By-law Enforcement or through Report a Problem. You will need to provide your name and contact information in confidence.

If you have had a Property Standards Order placed on your property and you have questions please contact By-law Enforcement. Property owners can appeal a Property Standards Order to the Property Standards Committee.

The best way to resolve a property standards matter is to talk to your neighbour about your concerns. Most people want to get along with each other.

Graffiti

Graffiti is etching, painting or placing a mark on public or private property. When any type of graffiti occurs on public or private property it is an act of vandalism and is against the law. In 2011, the Township passed an Anti-Graffiti By-law.

If you see graffiti vandalism in progress, please call 9-1-1 and report the crime to the police.

If you see graffiti anywhere in the Township, please report it by:

• Calling the Graffiti Busters hotline at 1-855-TAG-FREE (824-3733)
• Emailing By-law Enforcement

Reporting and removing graffiti quickly is an important part of decreasing the spread or return of graffiti. When reporting graffiti, it is helpful if you can provide as much detail about the location as possible. Township staff will use the information to contact the property owner or agency and ask for the graffiti to be removed. You will not be identified as the person reporting it.

With your help we can reduce this kind of vandalism in our Township and enjoy a cleaner, graffiti-free Wilmot.