By-Laws
To view Sarnia's Municipal By-Laws in numerical sequence by year issued. CLICK HERE
Following is a list of commonly requested by-laws.
These by-laws are amended from time to time as circumstances change. The short descriptions following are for general information only. As by-laws are updated, a new version, with amendments inserted, is published on this site. For a complete understanding of the City's by-laws or information about the many by-laws not referenced here it is always best to speak directly with Staff.
(The numbers following the by-laws reflect the original by-law number and do not reference any amending by-law numbers)
City by-laws also require licences for certain businesses to operate. They include Adult Video Stores, Auctioneers, Bed and Breakfast Establishments, Body Modification, Circuses/Midways, Commercial Cattery and Dog Kennels, Eating Establishments and Food Store (Restaurants), Group Homes, Master Plumbers, Pet Shops, Public Halls, Refreshment Vehicles, Room or Boarding House, Salesperson (resident/non-resident).
Pawn Brokers and Pawn Shops, taxis and vehicles for hire, salvage shops, salvage yard, second-hand goods dealers and shops and persons who deal in old gold, precious metals, old jewellery, etc. for the purpose of smelting and receiving gold are licensed by the Sarnia Police Services Board.
Copies of all by-laws are available to the public through the City Clerk's Office at a cost of 30 cents per page.
If you have any questions regarding these or any other City by-laws, please email the City Clerk's Office or call at 519 332 0330 extension 3264; TTY: 519 332 2664.
ANIMAL CONTROL - Licensing of dogs, prohibits running at large, muzzling and leashing in some circumstances, owner's requirement to remove excrement, and further to regulate the keeping of dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons, domestic fowl and for restricting of the keeping of certain animals within the City of Sarnia.
Dogs and Cats 133 of 2009 and Amended & Consolidated Dogs and Cats 3 of 2010
Regulating the licensing of dog(s) and the owner's responsibilities of keeping dog(s) or cat(s).
Boulevards By-Law 6181 & Amendment 7571
Regulating the construction, maintenance and protection of boulevards. Boulevards are that portion of highway between the curb and adjacent private property.
Building By-Law 48 of 2006 - Consolidated Copy
Burning (Open Air) 91 0f 2001
Open Air Burning ByLaw 91 of 2001 Consolidated Copy (Amendments ByLaw 81 of 2002)
BURNING (OPEN AIR) - Sets out rules and regulations regarding fires in the open in the City of Sarnia.
Development Charges Consolidated By-Law 2 of 2010 amending By-Law 102 of 2009
Charges against land, payable by a developer, to pay for increased capital costs required because of increased needs for servicing arising from development, so as to not place an undue financial burden on the City or its taxpayers.
Entry onto Adj Land - 185 of 1992
ADJOINING LAND - To permit an owner or occupant of any building, fence or other structure to enter upon any adjoining land for the purpose of making repairs, alterations or improvements. By-law sets out steps to be followed.
Establishes fees for various Permits, Services and Privilegess.
Sets out the Fee Schedule for all Departments of City Hall; Business, Dogs, Lottery and Marriage Licences, Commissioning Services, Birth Registrations, Rental Fees for Picnic Areas in City Parks, Tennis Courts, Garden Plots, Showmobile Rental, Baseball/Softball/Rugby/Football/Soccer Diamonds Rental, Ice Time Rentals at Arenas, Rental of Community Halls, MacLean Centre Rental, Building Permits, Demolition Permits, Signs/Awnings/Marquees Fees, Transit Fares, Moving of Buildings/Structures, Compost Charges, Tax Certificates, Zoning Certificates, Fire Inspection Reports, Use of Fire Hydrants.
FENCES - Regulations to construct, erect, maintain, keep or permit within the City of Sarnia any fence that is in contravention of any provisions of the Fence by-law.
Firearm & Bow By-Law - 50 of 2012
FIREARMS - Regulates the use of firearms and archery equipment in defined areas of the Municipality.
FIREWORKS - Regulates the sale of fireworks and prohibits the sale of same on any days during the year specified in the by-law, and prohibits or regulates the setting off of fireworks or any class thereof and for requiring a permit for the holding of fireworks displays and prescribes the conditions under which fireworks displays may be held.
Garbage/Waste - By-Law 62 of 2006 Consolidated Copy (Amendments B/L 121 of 2006, 13 of 2010 and 57 of 2012)
GARBAGE / WASTE COLLECTION - By-law for establishing and maintaining a system for the collection, removal and disposal of garbage and other refuse.
Lawn Watering - Reinstating Lawn Watering Restrictions By-Law #47 of 2010 (Amends B/L 58 of 1991)
(WATER REGULATIONS and Lawn Watering - Establishes and regulates the rules for the collection, production, treatment, storage, supply and distribution of water within the City; sets out permitted lawn water schedule.)
Licencing and Regulation of Various Businesses By-Law 127 of 2011
Noise Control By-Law - 144 of 1998 (Consolidated Copy)
(as amended by 139 of 1999, 163 of 1999, 141 of 2002 and 96 of 2009)
NOISE - Provides for, to the extent possible, an environment free from unusual, unnecessary or excessive noise which may unreasonably degrade the quality and tranquility of life and cause a nuisance. The by-law also sets out time schedules, zoning definitions and certain exemptions.
Parking and Traffic - 100 of 1996
PARKING & TRAFFIC - Regulates traffic and the parking of motor vehicles within the limits of the City of Sarnia on municipal highways, municipal parking lots and private property; also outlines Schedule of Fines applicable to offences under the by-law.
****NOTE: A copy of this by-law is not available on the web site due to its size.****
Procedure By-Law 24 of 1996 including amendments to 20 of 2008
PROCEDURE BY-LAW - provides the rules governing the proceedings of Council and the conduct of its members
Property Standards - 67 of 2005
PROPERTY STANDARDS - Prescribes standards for the maintenance and occupancy of property providing definitions as well as general requirements.
Lot Maintenance By-Law 75 of 2009 (Consolidated Copy)
Provides property standards by regulating for the maintenance, clearing and cleaning of land.
Public Parks By-Law 206 of 1999 (Consolidated Copy)
(as amended by By-Law 61 of 2003 and 89 of 2011)
PUBLIC PARKS - Defines the City's Parks, with respect to the use, regulation, protection and government of parks under the City of Sarnia
Sewer Use By-law 4 of 1993
A by-law to prohibit, regulate and control, the discharge of waters and wastes into any body of water within the Municipality or into the Municipal Sanitary Sewers, Sewer System or Sewage Treatment Works.
Sign By-Law - 7 of 1993, Amendment 138 of 1999
SIGNS - Prohibitng or regulating of signs and other advertising devices or any class or classes thereof within the City of Sarnia.
Store Sunday and Holiday Openings By-Law 24 of 1992 (Consolidated)
STORE OPENINGS - HOLIDAY SHOPPING - Permits retail business establishments to be open on holidays as defined in the by-law and within the meaning of the Regulations passed pursuant to the Retail Business Holidays Act.
Streets By-Law 145 of 1991 (Consolidated)
(as amended by 55 of 1994, 146 of 1995 and 14 of 2006)
STREETS - Interpretation, enforcement and other such matters.
SWIMMING POOLS - Requires owners of privately-owned outdoor swimming pools and ponds to erect and maintain fences and gates around such swimming pools and ponds and for the issuance of a permit.
Regulating the owners and drivers of taxi cabs and the power to license and regulate is delegated to the Chief of Police.
Transit Special Area Levy By-Law 4 of 2008
A By-Law to Regulate and Licence Taxis and other Vehicles for Hire By-Law #128 of 2011
Transit Special Service Area Rate for the provision of public bus transportation services to the municipality.
Regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in public places jurisdiction.
