By-laws

Animal Control By-law

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), York Region Branch, is contracted by the City to enforce the Animal Control By-law.

The Animal Control By-law regulates 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:

• Chapter 304, Animal Keeping

• Chapter 306, Animal Trespassing

• Chapter 309, Cat Keeping

• Chapter 310, Dog Control

• Chapter 314, Dog Licensing

• Chapter 319, Horse Riding Establishments

• Chapter 321, Kennel

Call the OSPCA at 905-898-7122, ext. 319 or 1-888-668-7722 for more information.

Anti-Graffiti By-law

Richmond Hill's Anti-Graffiti By-law (No. 69-07) was passed on June 12, 2007 to deal with graffiti in our community. The by-law allows for a minimum fine of $400 for violators and up to $100,000 for continued or multiple offences. There is also a special fine with no maximum penalty limit when there's a conviction related to the by-law.

View Chapter 950 of our Municipal Code for more information about Richmond Hill's Anti-Graffiti regulations.

Cannabis By-law and Retail Opt Out

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 By-law and Licensing Enforcement 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. 

Driveway Apron By-law

The Driveway Apron By-law regulates the maximum width of the part of your driveway that is on the boulevard, which is municipal property. View the Standards and Specifications Manual, Division C, Section C1.4 to learn more about driveway apron regulations.

View the Front Yard Parking By-law for information about maximum driveway widths on private property.

Dumping and Fill By-law

The Dumping and Fill By-Law regulates the dumping or placing of fill (material placed on land, such as soil) in all areas of Richmond Hill. View Chapter 967 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code for more information on dumping fill.

Fence and Pool Enclosure By-law

Richmond Hill's Fence By-law (Chapter 973 of the Municipal Code) regulates the maximum height of fences and where they should go on your property. This includes rear and side yard fences, but not side yards next to a street.

Maximum front yard fence heights are also included in the by-law. There are specific fence regulations for corner properties as well.

You will also find information about required pool enclosures and the types of fencing that are permitted for this use. Fences, at least 4 feet high, must enclose ground pools, decorative ponds, fish ponds and spas to keep out unsupervised children. Gates must open into the yard area and be self-closing and self-latching with the latch on the inside of the gate. The latch must not be reachable from the outside and be locked at all times when the pool in not in use.

Homeowners must get a Swimming Pool Permit before installing a pool on the property.

Learn more about residential building permits and inspections for information about other residential projects.

Fireworks By-law

Richmond Hill's Fireworks By-law (Chapter 1041 of our Municipal Code) regulates the sale and use of fireworks.

Learn about fireworks permits and safety tips.

Grass and Weed By-law

On March 25th, 2019 Council adopted Richmond Hill's Grass and Weeds By-law which regulates the maximum length of grass and weeds on all properties in Richmond Hill to a maximum length of 20cm.

View our Grass and Weed page to learn more about grass and weed control in our community.

Light Pollution By-law

The Light Pollution By-law (Chapter 1050 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code) applies to all outdoor light fixtures related to:

• Commercial uses, including parking lots
• Industrial uses
• Institutional uses
• Recreational or athletic uses
• Residential uses of five dwelling units or more on a single lot

Some exemptions apply.

The By-law includes regulations for:

• Installation
• Illumination levels
• Hour of operation
• Replacement of existing outdoor lighting fixtures

Noise By-law

The Noise By-law (Chapter 1055 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code) outlines the times that certain noises are allowed, such as:

• Domestic tools such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers can be used any day of the week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Construction related equipment can be used between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
• Construction equipment cannot be operated on Sunday and Statutory Holidays.

Application can be made to the By-law Enforcement Division for a noise exemption from the Noise By-law for certain instances such as special events, and required construction outside of the noise regulations.

For more information related to noise, noise exemptions or a noise related complaint contact the By-law Enforcement Division.  If you have a noise complaint outside of our normal operating hours, you may contact the York Regional Police at 1-866-8POLICE (76-5423).

Obstruction of Highway By-law

Chapter 801 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code, Obstruction of Highway By-law, regulates the dumping or placing of anything on the highway. This includes the boulevard and unpaved areas of the highway.

Items that should not be dumped include:

• Dirt

• Glass

• Paper

• Handbills

• Garbage

• Ashes

• Rubbish

• Building materials

• Animal carcasses

• Grass cuttings

• Landscaping materials, such as soil, interlocking brick, stone and plants

• Equipment

• Machinery

Open Air Burning By-law

The Open Air Burning By-law prohibits open air burning in Richmond Hill, unless you have a permit from the Chief Fire Official. 

Parking By-laws and Regulations

There are a number of parking regulations in Richmond Hill that residents need to be aware of to avoid violations and keep our streets safe.

Parking control for Richmond Hill is outlined by Chapter 1116 of our Municipal Code. This By-law regulates on-street parking and some cases of parking on private property.

Chapter 1090 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code includes fire route designations and enforcement of parking rules in fire routes within the community.

Chapter 1106 of our Municipal Code regulates accessible parking in Richmond Hill, including:

• The size of accessible parking spaces

• The placement of signs for accessible parking spaces

• Accessible parking permits

• Enforcement for violations of the by-law

For more detailed information regarding parking enforcement, or how to pay a parking ticket please visit our Parking page.

Property Standards By-law

Richmond Hill's Property Standards By-law sets minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of properties.

View Chapter 1010 of our Municipal Code for more information on property standards.

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 or business and for special events. These regulations are for:

• Improving community appearance and traffic

• Maintaining structural and fire safety

• Identifying land use compatibility

• Easing property or premises identification

• Carrying out goals of the Official Plan

• Appealing to public interest

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

Illustrated Guidelines for the Sign By-law 52-09, The Village Core was created to help business and property owners in the Village Core better understand the By-law, the types, size and locations of signage allowed and the application and approval process.

Trees on City Streets By-law

The Trees on City Streets By-law (Chapter 821 of the Municipal Code) regulates the injuring and destruction of trees on Richmond Hill property.

Learn more about tree planting and tree maintenance in Richmond Hill.

Tree Preservation By-law

Richmond Hill's Tree Preservation By-law regulates the injuring and destruction of tress on private property. Trees that fall under this By-law have a trunk diameter (measured 1.4 m above the ground) of at least 20 cm.

View Chapter 1015 of the Municipal Code for more information about the Tree Preservation By-law.

Waste Management By-law

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

Water Use Conservation By-law

Richmond Hill's Water Use Conservation By-law limits 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.

The By-law includes the following restrictions during the summer months:

• Odd numbered houses can use water on odd numbered days between midnight and 6 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., for a maximum of four hours

• Even numbered houses can use water on even numbered days between midnight and 6 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., for a maximum of four hours

Learn more about lawn watering restrictions and water use (Chapter 1000 of the Municipal Code).

General Licensing By-laws

Certain businesses in Richmond Hill need to have a license to operate. This includes adult entertainment businesses, billiard halls, bowling alleys, limousines, newspaper boxes, taxi cabs and tobacco sales. View Chapters 826 to 882 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code for more information about these business operating licenses.

Refreshment Vehicles

Chapter 875 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code regulates the sale of refreshments (food and beverages) from a vehicle within the community.

Second Hand Goods By-law

Chapter 879 of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code, the Second Hand Goods By-law regulates establishments that buy and sell second hand goods. The By-law requires that all purchases and sales be registered. Regulations also include how long you must wait to sell goods after they have been purchased second hand. This By-law also applies to garage sales. A garage sale is defined as a sale of goods from a residential property where the second hand seller is either the user of the goods sold, or is one of not more than three households conducting a sale of goods used by the members of those households. The seller can also be a tenant or condominium association of a residential building. Garage sales can take place for a maximum of two days. Up to two garage sales per year, per residence is permitted.

Taxi Licensing By-law

Chapter 882 requires all Taxi 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.

In December 2018 Richmond Hill updated its Taxi Licensing By-law. Key changes included increasing the age limit of vehicles, and allowing drivers to be employed for more than one brokerage.  View the changes in more detail in the Taxi Licensing By-law staff report. 

Tobacco sales

Chapter 826 of our Municipal Code regulates the sale of tobacco products in Richmond Hill.

Tow Truck Licensing By-law

Richmond Hill's Tow Truck Licensing By-Law requires all tow trucks to be licensed and safe for customers and owners. You must sign a Permission to Tow form before towing your vehicle. Richmond Hill Licensing Enforcement Officers and/or York Regional Police inspect tow trucks.

For more information view our Tow Truck Licensing Page.

Front Yard Parking By-law

Richmond Hill's Front Yard Parking By-law provides maximum widths of driveways on private property. Also, a minimum of 45 per cent of your front yard must be landscaped. Contact Richmond Hill's By-law Services Division at 905-771-0198 to report any Front Yard Parking By-law violations or for more information. View the Driveway Apron By-law for information about the driveway portion on the boulevard, which is municipal property.

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.

Pesticides Act

Richmond Hill follows the Ontario Pesticides Act, which bans the use of certain pesticides used to improve the appearance of lawns and gardens. The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change enforces this legislation.

Call 1-800-565-4923 to learn more about the Pesticides Act.

Smoke-Free Ontario Act

In Richmond Hill, York Region enforces the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. The Act requires all enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces to be 100 per cent smoke-free. The act also regulates the sale of tobacco products throughout Ontario.

The York Region Tobacco Education and Control Team offers education about the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

Contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY: 1-866-252-9933 (for the deaf or hard of hearing) for more information or to report a violation of the Act.