By-law Enforcement
The Municipal Law Enforcement Officer is responsible for enforcing municipal by-laws through investigating complaints.
By-law complaints
If you believe that someone has broken a Township of Severn by-law, you can report a complaint. Please note that the Township’s by-law enforcement staff responds on a complaint-basis only to most matters. As per our By-law Violations and Complaints Policy, by-law enforcement complaints are confidential.
Anonymous complaints
We don't investigate anonymous complaints. Please make sure to include your name, phone number and address along with a description of the by-law infraction.
Traffic complaints
To report any traffic complaints such as speeding or impaired driving, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police, Orillia Detachment.
Contact the OPP Orillia Detachment |
1 University Avenue Non-emergency calls For complaints or calls for service, call 24-hours a day toll free:
In the case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1. |
Common by-law complaints
Review some of the common by-law complaints and familiarize yourself with the appropriate by-laws.
Dog licences |
Every dog in Severn must get a dog licence. You should know:
Learn how to apply for a dog licence. |
Open-air burning and permits |
Township of Severn’s Open-Air Burning By-law regulates the issuing of fire permits, the size of fires and materials you can burn within an open-air fire. We issue two types of fire permits:
With either type of permit, you can only burn tree branches or clean dry wood. You are not allowed to burn leaves or garden waste in an open-air fire. Learn more about open-air burning in Severn. Apply online for a fire permit. |
Kennel licences |
Township of Severn issues annual kennel licences which are needed to operate or own a kennel in Severn. Requirements of the licence include:
Learn how to apply for a kennel licence. |
Noxious weeds |
The Weed Control Act regulates weeds that have been identified as noxious, which means that they have a negative impact on agriculture and/or horticulture operations. Learn more about noxious weeds in Ontario. |
Noise |
The Township’s Noise By-law regulates certain types of noise in Severn. This includes:
Review the by-law and learn how to file a complaint. If you need to request an exemption to the Noise By-law, please contact the Clerk. |
Property standards |
All properties need to meet the minimum requirements laid out in the Property Standards By-law. Review the property standards and learn how to file a complaint. The most common property standards complaints include:
If you received an Order you can appeal the Order to the Property Standards Committee. |
Clean and clear yards |
All properties need to meet the minimum clean yards maintenance requirements set out in the Clean and Clear Yards By-law. Review the by-law and learn how to file a complaint. The most common clean yards complaints include:
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Dumping fill without a permit |
You need a fill permit in order to have soil or fill deposited or dumped on your property in Severn. |
Building without a permit |
You need a building permit in order to undertake a new building, renovation or addition project in Severn. |
Township of Severn aims to provide a safe and friendly community for all residents and visitors. Our municipal by-laws set standards and help us build a safe environment.
By-laws are organized in a database, sorted by the year the by-law was approved by Council. If you're looking for a specific by-law, use the search feature located in the top left corner of the page or check out the Frequently Requested By-laws folder. You can search all by-laws using keywords.
Please contact us if you need help finding a by-law.