Multi-sector Bylaws

The Draft Richmond Hill Official Plan represents a fundamental shift in the town’s approach to land use planning. While the draft plan reflects direction from the Province of Ontario and York Region for more compact, complete communities, it also includes the community’s desire for managed growth that considers the local context, character and identity. 

The Town of Banff Land Use Bylaw 31-4 provides for orderly, economic, beneficial, and environmentally sensitive development. Through the bylaw, the town aims to preserve its status as part of a World Heritage Site, provide accommodation and other goods and services (including interpretive and orientation services) to Banff National Park visitors, maintain and enhance a community character that complements the surrounding natural environment, and provide a comfortable community for Banff residents. 

The District of Metchosin Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw, No. 565 introduces changes to the Official Community Plan regarding the Village Centre area, including new land use designations, commercial policies, and a development permit area map and guidelines. The bylaw proposes a new “village” land use designation for all Village Centre properties currently designated commercial, as well as three properties currently designated agricultural.

The Tree Protection Bylaw No. 24-35 requires anyone intending to cut down, or permit to cut down, a tree to obtain a permit and to act strictly in accordance with the permit.

The Whistler Carbon Tax Rebate Policy applies to the disbursement of funds received through the Provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program. Fifty per cent of the annual rebate will be used to support emission reduction initiatives in municipal operations, and 50 per cent will go to non-profit organizations or societies to support initiatives to reduce emissions in Whistler’s commercial sector. 

Fernie’s GHG Emission Reduction Plan reports on the progress and upcoming targets for the city as it reaches milestones 2 and 3 of the Partners for Climate Protection program’s Five-Milestone Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The Idling Control Bylaw prohibits idling for more than two consecutive minutes within areas under the city’s jurisdiction.

(Available in original language) The Québec Bylaw on Motor Vehicle Idling 337 bans idling for more than three consecutive minutes in a one-hour period. For heavy diesel-operated vehicles, the allowed idling period is five minutes in the summer (from April 1 to October 31) and 10 minutes in the winter (from November 1 to March 31). The bylaw does not apply in situations such as traffic jams or at traffic lights, and exempts emergency vehicles whose engines power auxiliary equipment.

The District of Tofino’s Anti-Idling Bylaw No. 1087 prohibits idling by vehicles within the district’s boundaries. Except under prescribed circumstances, vehicles idling for three minutes or longer will be subject to fines. 

(Available in original language) The City of Montréal Bylaw 09-012 bans the use or replacement of wood-burning appliances, except pellet appliances, inside new or existing buildings. Residential solid-fuel burning appliances already in use are exempted from the bylaw. Solid-fuel burning appliances can be installed to prepare foods for commercial purposes in buildings located in commercial use areas.

(Available in original language) The Municipality of Saint-Donat Bylaw 779 aims to prevent the contamination of Saint-Donat’s lakes by invasive foreign species. The bylaw requires all watercraft users travelling on municipal waterways to obtain a licence to have access to the lakes. This licence includes an electronic file, a washing or user certificate, and one sticker per boat. The certificate attests that the watercraft was washed at a station recognized by the municipality. 

Bylaw No. 27-2009 replaces Idling Control Bylaw 71-2004, and prohibits unnecessary idling of vehicles in Burlington. Changes to the bylaw include a reduced period of one minute for unnecessary idling and the removal of the temperature exemption. Violators are subject to a $150 fine.

The Municipality of Jasper Off-Site Levies Bylaw 113 requires the collection of off-site levies on the development or redevelopment of residential and non-residential properties. Developments that demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency, site sustainability and indoor environmental quality through certifications such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Building Certification Program, the R-2000 Program, or other recognized programs are exempted from the bylaw.

The City of Rossland Tree Retention Bylaw 2389, 2007 regulates the cutting down, damaging and removal of trees through a permit process. The bylaw also requires all new development projects to submit a site assessment and tree retention plan prepared by an arborist. 

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082, 2008 regulates the discharge of industrial and commercial air contaminants. This bylaw supports the city’s Air Quality Management Plan and uses a permit system to manage air emission levels. 

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Air Quality Management Fees Regulation Bylaw 1083, 2008 outlines the payment of fees related to Bylaw 1083, 2008, the Vancouver Regional District Air Quality Management Bylaw. The bylaw provides a list of air contaminants and their emission fee per tonne of contaminant, and details the calculation of fees payable by permit holders. 

The City of Kingston Restricted Area (Zoning) ByLaw regulates the use of land; the design, development and use of buildings or structures; and the density of development in Kingston.

(Available in original language) The Town of Matane Bylaw VM-176 bans idling for more than three consecutive minutes in a one-hour period. Fines and exemptions are detailed in the bylaw.

The Town of Richmond Hill Interim Growth Management Strategy directs the available servicing capacity for allocation to 2011, when additional capacity is expected to become available across York Region. The strategy identifies eligibility criteria for servicing allocation applications, and the evaluation process for development applications. Eligibility criteria address sustainability considerations, including sustainable and innovative community and building design; supportive, higher-order transit development; mixed-use developments that provide for live-work communities; and developments that enhance the vitality of the downtown area. 

Unlike other anti-idling bylaws which may simply restrict idling to a few minutes, Jasper’s Anti-Idling Bylaw 099 places a complete ban on idling in the municipality. Working vehicles, vehicles waiting at traffic lights, and drivers who are clearing frosty windshields are exempted from the bylaw. 

(Available in original language)The Municipality of l’Ange-Gardien P-ENV-1 Environmental Policy acknowledges the importance of environmental protection in decision-making and management practices. The policy sets objectives in eight different sectors: administrative management, water, air, soil, protection of forest cover and green areas, waste management, nuisances and noise, and development.

The Town of Markham Tree Preservation Bylaw 2008-96 regulates or prohibits the injury or destruction of trees. Property owners in Markham must apply for a permit before injuring or destroying any tree with a diameter of 20 centimetres or more, measured at 1.37 metres above ground.

(Available in original language) The Town of Rimouski Purchasing Policy applies to the purchase of all goods and services by the municipality. The policy encourages local business by giving priority to suppliers with head offices in the town, as long as their tenders conform in all aspects.

The City of Kingston Tree Bylaw 2007-170 maintains important tree cover in the city by controlling the removal of trees and promoting good forestry and arboricultural practices to sustain healthy woodlands and urban forest. The bylaw also details possible exemptions, instances where a permit is required to remove a tree, permit fees, and a list of distinctive tree species.

The Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 41-07 regulates the destruction or injury of trees on private lands in Richmond Hill. The bylaw requires private property owners to obtain a permit before injuring or destroying any tree of a minimum size defined in the bylaw.

The Direct Control District DC55, part of Strathcona County’s Land Use Bylaw 8-2001, establishes the Emerald Hills Urban Village development as a special-purpose district under the Emerald Hills Area Structure Plan. The DC55 recognizes the development as a sustainable urban neighbourhood designed according to sustainability principles. 

The Mississauga Official Plan outlines planning policies for all lands in Mississauga. It sets out how the city will protect and maintain significant natural heritage systems, promote pollution reduction and land use compatibility, protect people and property from hazards, and conserve and reuse natural resources (environmental policies are contained in sections 2.7 and 3.12). 

Bylaw No. 4326 regulates the cutting of trees by stating that no protected tree can be cut down or damaged without authorization by a permit issued under the bylaw, or by a development permit issued by Council.

The Municipality of Jasper Environmental Stewardship Green Procurement Policy D-BB ensures that all municipal services are obtained in an effective, expedient and environmentally friendly manner at the best overall value. The policy supports goods and services that have less impact on human health and the environment. Pollution prevention criteria for all purchases are detailed in the policy, and can be used to substantiate the purchase of environmentally friendly alternatives over other products.

The Idling Control Bylaw helps reduce unnecessary vehicle emissions, air pollution and smog by limiting vehicle idling to a maximum of three minutes. Violators are subject to a $150 fine. 

The Pickering Official Plan lays the foundation for building a strong community: providing a vision for the city, identifying how the vision can be reached, and establishing a monitoring program. While the plan is intended to establish policies for long-term growth, it will be periodically reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet the city’s changing economic, social and environmental needs.

The Town of Newmarket Idling Control Bylaw 2005-157 restricts vehicle idling to two consecutive minutes. This bylaw supports the town’s vision of living well — including a focus on health, safety and environmental preservation. There are exceptions to the bylaw during extreme weather conditions. 

The Strathcona County Conservation Easement Agreement allows landowners to retain control over future use and development of their land. These legal agreements are intended to safeguard watersheds and wildlife habitat, and to maintain the natural landscapes that provide surrounding residents with clean air, clean water, agricultural products, and scenic beauty. Strathcona County has also adopted the Unauthorized Use of Conservation Easements Bylaw 68-2005 to enforce the conditions of the Agreement and to ensure that objectives for land use are met.

The Anti-Idling Bylaw No. 1010 protects and enhances the well-being of the community in relation to the emission of smoke, fumes and other effluvia that can foul or contaminate the atmosphere. Under the bylaw, no vehicle may idle for more than three consecutive minutes.

The Salt Management Plan details an operational and procedural framework for minimizing the amount of road salt penetrating the environment during winter maintenance operations. The town is committed to preserving Richmond Hill’s natural environment and enhancing the health and safety of the community by reducing the negative effects associated with road salt on fresh water lakes and natural watercourses, and the premature deterioration of municipal infrastructure.

The Street and Traffic Bylaw No. 7125 declares that no motor vehicle engine can idle for more than three minutes in a 60-minute period. 

The Idling of Vehicles Bylaw No. 629/04 prohibits idling for no more than five consecutive minutes. Violators are subject to a penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act.

The City of Chilliwack Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw 3012 provides a tax exemption program to encourage revitalization of the municipality’s downtown area. Downtown Chilliwack is comprised of medium- and high-density areas, as shown in Schedule A of the bylaw. 

The Topsoil Preservation and Site Alteration Bylaw protects and conserves topsoil, and regulates the alteration of property within the city through a permit process. 

The City of Pickering Tree Protection Bylaw 6108/03 prohibits and regulates the injury, destruction or removal of trees in designated areas of the city. Exemptions apply for diseased or severely injured trees and to stumps or trees less than 25 millimetres in diameter, measured at 1.5 metres above ground. Fines for infractions are detailed in the bylaw.

The Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 41-07 regulates the destruction or injury of trees on private lands in Richmond Hill. The bylaw requires private property owners to obtain a permit before injuring or destroying any tree of a minimum size defined in the bylaw.

The City of Richmond Environmental Purchasing Policy, part of the municipal Environmental Purchasing Guide, is designed to assist municipal staff in selecting products and services that promote a healthy environment, and to foster demand for products that promote environmental sustainability. City staff members are asked to include environmental considerations in their assessment of every product or service.

The Tree Protection Bylaw 5896-2000 regulates tree cutting and removal in Maple Ridge. This bylaw applies to trees that are greater than 10 centimetres in diameter measured at 1.5 metres above natural grade. It also specifies tree replacement criteria and alternative replacement species in rural and urban tree protection areas.

The Town of Caledon Woodlands Conservation Bylaw 2000-100 regulates or prohibits the destruction and removal of trees in woodland areas, and promotes good forestry management practices. 

The Tree Preservation Bylaw prevents the unnecessary removal or damage of protected trees on all lands within the district. The bylaw prohibits activities such as removal or topping of branches or trunks of trees of a minimum size defined in the bylaw; cutting or damaging tree roots; depositing harmful substances or blasting inside the protected root zone of a tree.