Animal Services By-laws

Richmond Hill has a partnership with the City of Vaughan Animal Services that provides animal control and animal shelter services. Officers respond to calls about wildlife and pets.

The Animal Services By-laws regulate Animal Services provided by the City of Richmond Hill, including care of pets, dog licensing as well as the number and type of animals allowed per household. Chapters of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code related to this By-law include:

• Municipal Code Chapter 304 - Animal Keeping By-law No.15-88, as amended

  • Municipal Code Chapter 304 Schedule "A" Map

• Municipal Code Chapter 306 - Animal Trespassing By-law No. 76-79, as amended

• Municipal Code Chapter 309 - Cat Keeping By-law No. 23-88, as amended

• Municipal Code Chapter 310 - Dog Control By-law No. 260-99, as amended

• Municipal Code Chapter 314 - Dog Licensing By-law No. 15-01, as amended

For more information visit the City of Vaughan website at www.vaughan.ca/animalservices or reach them at:

Telephone: 905-832-2281
Toll free: 1-855-227-7297
animal.services@vaughan.ca

Cannabis By-law

Richmond Hill's Cannabis By-law (No. 112-18) prohibits cannabis use in all public places in Richmond Hill. Public places include any place to which the public has access as of right or invitation, express or implied, regardless of whether it is owned by a public or private entity and any motor vehicle located in a public place or in any place open to public view.

Medical cannabis use is exempt from this By-law and subject to relevant federal and provincial legislation. Questions and concerns regarding medical cannabis should be directed to York Region Public Health, Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Control Officers at 1-800-361-5653.

The following types of concerns/complaints regarding recreational smoking or vaping of cannabis should be reported to the York Regional Police non-emergency line 1-866-876-5423:

• Use by individuals under the age of 19
• Use within 20 metres of school sites, playgrounds or sports fields
• Use within a vehicle or boat
• Selling cannabis

Concerns and complaints regarding adults smoking cannabis in public areas such as parks, sidewalks and retail and commercial parking lots should be directed to the City of Richmond Hill Community Standards Division at 905-771-0198.

Please note that given the legality of medical and recreational cannabis use, reports of cannabis odours causing a nuisance will not be investigated. 

Richmond Hill Opts Out of Cannabis Retail 

In December 2018, Richmond Hill Council voted unanimously to opt out of cannabis retail stores within its municipal boundaries in accordance with the Cannabis Law Statute Amendment Act, 2018. The Act allows municipalities to opt out before January 22, 2019.

Residents can still purchase cannabis online and in April 2019 from retailers outside of Richmond Hill authorized by the provincial government. In addition, Municipal governments can opt in to cannabis retail stores in the future.

For more details, please see the news release: Richmond Hill Opts Out of Cannabis Retail. 

Clean Neighbourhoods By-law

 Richmond Hill's Clean Neighbourhoods By-law was enacted on June 5, 2024.  Clean Neighbourhoods regulates property maintenance including bird feeders, rubbish, debris, residential exterior lighting, inoperative vehicles, graffiti and vacant properties.

For more information on Clean Neighbourhood requirements please view the Clean Neighbourhoods By-law. 

Clean Neighbourhoods By-law No. 63-24.

Richmond Hill's Fence By-law No. 140-90 regulates the maximum height of fences on your property. This includes rear, side and front yard fences, there are specific fence regulations for corner properties as well.

The By-law also outlines requirements of pool enclosures. Homeowners must get a Pool Enclosure Permit before installing a pool on their property. For more information on obtaining a Pool Enclosure Permit please visit our Site Alteration and Pool Enclosure Permits page.

For more information on fence and pool enclosure requirements please view the Fence By-law. 

Municipal Code 973 - Fence By-law No. 140-90, as amended.

Fireworks By-law

Richmond Hill's Fireworks By-law No. 77-10 regulates the sale and use of fireworks in the City of Richmond Hill.

For more information on firework requirements please view the Fireworks Permit and Safety Tips page.

Grass and Weeds By-law

Richmond Hill's Grass and Weeds By-law No. 31-19 regulates the maximum length of grass and weeds on all properties in Richmond Hill. All grass and weeds are to be kept at a length not to exceed 20 cm.

For more information on grass and weed control in our community please visit our Grass and Weeds page, or view the Grass and Weeds By-law

Municipal Code Chapter 1025 - Grass and Weeds By-law No. 31-19.

Idling By-law

On June 24, 2020 Council enacted new idling regulations. These regulations prohibit the idling of motor vehicles for more than three minutes. The By-law also provides exemptions for emergency vehicles, public transit, and extreme weather conditions.

For more information please view the Idling By-law No. 44-20.

Light Pollution By-law

Richmond Hill's Light Pollution By-law No. 63-95 regulates the installation and use of outdoor light in a variety of settings including commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, and multi-residential uses. These regulations include limits to illumination levels and hours of operation.

For more information about light pollution control please view the Light Pollution By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 1050 - Light Pollution By-law No. 63-95.

Noise By-law

The Noise By-law No. 43-20,as amended outlines the times and limits that certain noises are allowed, such as:

• Lawn maintenance equipment such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers can be used any time from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Statutory holidays
• Noise related to construction and construction equipment is prohibited between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday and statutory holidays;
• Amplified sound such as music can be played from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at a level that isn’t louder than a normal conversation (55 decibels) on a neighbouring property, and 50 decibels in another property in the same building
• Amplified sound can be played as long as it is not clearly audible at another property from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Application for Exemption to the Noise By-law

You can apply for an exemption to Noise By-law No. 43-20 using our online fillable form. Please complete the application form below and allow up to five business days for a response.

Noise Exemptions may be granted to permit noise outside of the regulations of the Noise By-law. To seek a noise exemption, application can be made to the Community Standards Division for relief from the Noise By-law in certain instances such as special events, and required construction outside of the noise regulations.

Exemption to the Noise By-law Application Form

After Hours Noise Complaints

For after hours noise complaints, please contact our after hours By-law Enforcement Line at 905-771-5458. Please leave your name, phone number, address of concern and a brief description of the noise issue, and an officer will investigate your concern. 

For more information related to noise, noise exemptions or a noise related complaint contact the By-law and Licensing  Section.

Municipal Code Chapter 1055 - Noise By-law No. 43-20, as amended.

Highway Obstruction By-law

Richmond Hill's Highway Obstruction By-law No. 17-87 regulates the placement or dumping of equipment, materials, rubbish, or garbage on any street or roadway. This includes the boulevard and unpaved areas of the roadway.

For more information please view the Highway Obstruction By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 801 - Highway Obstruction By-law No. 17-87, as amended.

Open Air Burning By-law

Richmond Hill's Open Air Burning By-law No. 51-05 regulates open air burning and allows residents to apply for  a permit from the Chief Fire Official.

For more information on open air burning please visit our Open Air Burning Page.

Park Use By-law

Parks play an integral role in the community promoting good physical and mental health through physical activity, and social interactions, and by promoting the environment. The City of Richmond Hill has governed parks and their uses since 1975. 

The Park Use By-law No. 19-22 provides a set of rules to guide the actions and behaviour of park users and are intended to provide a balance between protection of public assets, while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for park users.

For more information on Parks please visit our Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Page or view the Park Use By-law.

For more information on Lake Wilcox Park please visit our Lake Wilcox Park Page.

• Municipal Code Chapter 942 - Park Use By-law No. 19-22, as amended

Parking Regulation By-law

Richmond Hill has by several by-laws which regulate parking in order to keep the streets safe and reasonably unobstructed by parked vehicles.

The Parking Control By-law No. 402-89 regulates on-street parking and certain instances of parking on private property.

The Fire Route Designation By-law sets standards for fire routes, and gives authority to Fire Services to designate their location and design on private property.

The Accessible Parking By-law No. 305-90 regulates accessible parking including size, location, and number of accessible parking spots on a property.

For more more information regarding parking regulations, including how to pay a parking ticket, please visit our Parking page, or view the parking regulation by-laws.

Municipal Code Chapter 1116 - Parking Control By-law No. 402-89, as amended.

Property Standards By-law

Richmond Hill's Property Standards By-law No. 62-24 was enacted on June 5, 2024.

Richmond Hills Property Standards By-law No. 62-24 sets minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of properties.

For more information on property standards please view our Property Standards page or view the Property Standards By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 1010 - Property Standards By-law No. 62-24.

Sign By-law

Richmond Hill's Sign By-law No. 52-09 regulates the size, location and number of signs that are allowed on a property and for special events. For more information regarding different types of allowable signage please visit our Sign Permit page, or view the Sign By-law.

• Municipal Code Chapter 704 - Sign By-law No. 52-09, as amended

Residents are allowed to remove illegal signage from their property. Complaints regarding illegal signage on public property may be reported to the By-law Education and Enforcement Section, while complaints about illegal signs on Regional Roads should be reported to York Region.

Site Alteration By-law

The Site Alteration By-Law No. 166-07 regulates site alteration (grading and material placed on land, such as soil) in all areas of Richmond Hill, for more information on site alteration please view the Site Alteration By-law, or site alteration permit page.

Municipal Code Chapter 967 - Site Alteration By-law No.166-07, as amended.

Trees on City Streets By-law

The Trees on City Streets By-law No. 40-07 regulates the injuring and destruction of trees on City property.

To learn more about Trees on City Street please view more about tree planting and tree maintenance in Richmond Hill.

Municipal Code Chapter 821 - Trees on City Streets By-law

Tree Preservation By-law

Richmond Hill's Tree Preservation By-law No. 41-07 regulates the injuring and destruction of tress on private property. This by-law requires that you obtain a permit before removing or injuring any tree with a diameter at breast height of 20 cm or more (see the image below, which shows that a tree's diameter at breast height is measured at 1.4 metre above the ground).

For more information please view the Tree Cutting Permit Page.

Waste By-law

The Waste By-law 18-19 maintains and regulates a system for the collection and disposal of household waste in the City of Richmond Hill.

For more information on waste collection in Richmond Hill please view the Waste By-law, or visit our Garbage and Recycling page.

Municipal Code Chapter 715 - Waste By-law No. 18-19, as amended.

Water Use Conservation By-law

Richmond Hill's Water Use Conservation By-law 39-08 regulates outdoor water use from June 15 to September 30. Saving water during this season helps us protect the environment and keeps our water reserves from running low. Outdoor water uses include lawn watering and car washing.

For more information on water conservation please view our Lawn Watering Restrictions page.

General Licensing By-laws

Richmond Hill has several By-laws which regulate and licenses various businesses within the City. These businesses include video arcades, bowling alleys, hawkers, tobacco shops, pet shops, adult entertainment businesses, billiard halls, newspaper boxes. For more information on general business licenses please view our licensing By-laws.

General Amendment: 89-19

Municipal Code Chapter 826 - Video Arcades, Bowling Alleys, Hawkers, Tobacco Shops and Pet Stores

• Amendment: Pet Stores By-law No. 6-17

Municipal Code Chapter 829 - Adult Entertainment Establishments

Municipal Code Chapter 830 - Adult Video Stores

Municipal Code Chapter 831 - Billiard, Pool, and Bagatelle Tables.

Municipal Code Chapter 834 - Body Rub Parlours

Municipal Code Chapter 865 - Newspaper Boxes

Refreshment Vehicles

Richmond Hill's Refreshment Vehicle By-law No. 194-05 regulates and licenses the sale of food and beverages from vehicles within the community. For more information about refreshment vehicle licensing please view the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 875 - Refreshment Vehicle By-law No. 194-05

• Amendments: 89-19

Second Hand Goods By-law

Richmond Hill's Second Hand Goods By-law No. 195-05 regulate and licenses the purchase and sale of second hand goods. By-law No. 195-05 does not require a licenses for garage sale spanning no more than 2 days, twice per year. for more information please view the Second Hand Goods By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 879 - Second Hand Goods By-law No. 195-05

• Amendments: 89-19

Taxi Licensing By-law

Richmond Hill's Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law No. 133-04 requires all Taxi and Limousine Owners, Brokers and Drivers to be licensed. Richmond Hill Licensing Enforcement Officers inspect taxis, to ensure they are clean and in a proper working order to ensure the safety of their customers. For more information please view the Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law.

Municipal Code Chapter 882 - Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law 133-04,as amended.

Tow Truck By-law

The City of Richmond Hill is no longer regulating and issuing licenses to tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators.

For more information view our Tow Truck Licensing Page.

Front Yard Parking and Driveway Apron By-laws

Richmond Hill's Front Yard Parking By-law 84-03 regulates the maximum width of private driveways, as well as setting a minimum percentage of landscaping in the front yard.

Richmond Hill's Driveway Apron By-law 117-08 regulates the maximum width of driveway aprons (the portion of the driveway on municipal property).

For more information regarding driveways and front yard parking visit our Front Yard Parking Page. 

General Zoning By-laws

Richmond Hill's General Zoning By-laws set the allowed uses for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and all other properties. The By-laws also include set back requirements for structures, widths of driveways, business uses and home occupations.

Building development projects must review the Zoning By-laws before applying for a building permit.

Contact our Building Services Division at 905-771-8810 to report any Zoning By-law violations or if you have any questions about zoning.