By-laws

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:

• Chapter 304, Animal Keeping

• Chapter 306, Animal Trespassing

• Chapter 309, Cat Keeping

• Chapter 310, Dog Control

  • Amendments: 92-18

• Chapter 314, Dog Licensing

  • Amendments: 89-19

• Chapter 319, Horse Riding Establishments

  • Amendments: 89-19

• Chapter 321, Kennel

  • Amendments: 89-19, 26-20

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

Anti-Graffiti By-law

Richmond Hill's Anti Graffiti By-law No. 69-07 was enacted to address graffiti in our community. In order to deter graffiti in Richmond Hill, the by-law prohibits graffiti on any public or private property, and requires the timely removal of any graffiti.

For more information about Graffiti, please view Richmond Hill's graffiti brochure.

Chapter 950 (Anti Graffiti By-law No. 69-07).

• Amendments: 89-19

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 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. 

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.

Chapter 967 (Site Alteration By-law No.166-07).

• Amendments: 82-08

Fence and Pool Enclosure By-law

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. 

Chapter 973 (Fence By-law No. 140-90).

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 By-law.

Chapter 1041 (Fireworks By-law No.77-10).

Fireworks displays require a permit in Richmond Hill, for information on Permits and firework safety please visit 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.

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 polution control please view the Light Pollution By-law.

Chapter 1050 (Light Pollution By-law No. 63-95).

Noise By-law

The Noise By-law No. 43-20 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 can occur between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday as outlined in Ontario Regulation 131/20;
• 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.
• The Province has suspended noise enforcement for the delivery of goods until September 19, 2021 as outlined in Ontario Regulation 70/20.

After Hours Noise Complaints

For after hours noise complaints please contact our after hours hotline 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. 

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.

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

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 Hiway Obstruction By-law.

Chapter 801 (Highway Obstruction By-law No. 17-87).

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 or view the Open Air Burning By-law.

Chapter 868 (Open Air Burning By-law No. 51-05).

Parking By-laws and Regulations

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.

Chapter 1116 (Parking Control By-law No. 402-89).

Chapter 1090 (Fire Route By-law).

Chapter 1106 (Accessible Parking By-law No. 305-90).

Property Standards By-law

Richmond Hills Property Standards By-law No. 79-99 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.

Chapter 1010 (Property Standards By-law No. 79-99).

•  Amendments: 89-19

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.

Sign By-law 52-09

• Amendments: 74-11, 110-12, 45-13, 78-13, 55-16, 59-16, 16-18

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 Section, while complaints about illegal signs on Regional Roads should be reported to York Region.

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 the Trees on City Streets By-law.

Chapter 821 (Trees on City Streets By-law No. 40-07).

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

Tree Preservation By-law

Richmond Hill's Tree Preservation By-law No. 41-07 regulates the injuring and destruction of tress on private property. Trees that have a trunk diameter (measured 1.4 m above the ground) of at least 20 cm are protected under the by-law.

For more information please visit the Tree Preservation FAQ page, or view the Tree Preservation By-law.

Chapter 1015 (Tree Preservation By-law No. 41-07).

• Amendments: 89-19

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.

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 or view the Water Conservation By-law.

Chapter 1000 (Water Use Conservation By-law 39-08).

• Amendments: 89-19

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 By-law

Richmond Hill's Tow Truck By-Law 78-19 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.

Online Tow Truck Driver Application Now Available! 

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 Paking Page or view the following by-laws:

Front Yard Parking By-law

Driveway Apron By-law

• Amendments: 89-19

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.