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Township of Zorra

By-law Enforcement

Respecting the rights of other property owners is an important aspect of being a good neighbour. By-laws and zoning restrictions are in place to ensure one another’s rights and make our community the best place that it can be to live, work and raise our families. Most situations can be resolved through awareness of the applicable regulations listed on this page.

Knowing what the rules are can help you and your neighbours:

  • prevent neighbourhood problems from occurring
  • avoid costly Township and Provincial enforcement fines
  • develop a stronger sense of neighbourliness by working out your problems rather than getting the Township, Police or other department/agency involved

An effective way to deal with neighbourhood problems is for residents to discuss their concerns with one another and work together to arrive at an acceptable solution. If communication between neighbours is not possible, our By-law Enforcement Officer is available if there is a situation where a resolution is not practicable or if you need advice. All complaints must be submitted using our online complaint form. 

The Township of Zorra follows a formal By-law Enforcement Policy that governs the handling of by-law complaints and ensures thorough, prompt and courteous receipt, processing, investigation and resolution thereof.

Complainants are protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and every complainant will be kept completely confidential and not be intentionally divulged to any member of Council, the public or media. View the By-law Enforcement Policy for more information. 

Some By-laws of interest to the public are posted on this website under By-laws and Policies. 

Smoke-Free Ontario

As of January 1, 2015, it is illegal to:

smoke on and around children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sport fields and surfaces (e.g., areas for basketball, baseball, soccer or beach volleyball, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools that are owned by a municipality, the province or a post secondary education institution)
smoke on all bar and restaurant patios, whether covered or not (with an exemption for uncovered patios established by the Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Provincial Command before November 18, 2013)
sell tobacco on university and college campuses (this applies to buildings that are owned and areas that are leased by a post secondary institution or student union)

For more information on smoke-free initiatives, please visit the Southwestern Public Health website.

Representatives from the Oxford County Board of Health visited our Council meeting on June 2, 2015 to talk about the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.  View their presentation here.