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Bylaws + enforcement

Request enforcement assistance or read descriptions and download our most asked-about bylaws.

Submit a complaint online

Our online complaint portal allows citizens to file a complaint about a variety of bylaw concerns, including:

  • Yard maintenance
  • Noise complaints
  • Parking enforcement
  • Zoning bylaws
  • Garbage and illegal dumping 
  • All other municipal bylaws

If your complaint is regarding property standards, our online property complaint portal allows citizens to file complaints about a variety of bylaw concerns, including:

  • Dilapidated buildings and structures
  • Substandard plumbing, electrical, heating, and ventilation systems in dwelling units

Bylaw directory 

Below are the most frequently requested city bylaws.

If you are looking for a different bylaw, or need one in an alternative format, contact us at 613-392-2841, ext. 4905 or email [email protected]

Animals:

  • Prohibits and regulates certain animals and prohibits animals with respect to the being at large and provides for the seizure and impounding of animals at large and the sale of impounded animals 
  • No one is allowed to keep any prohibited animal as outlined in Schedule A of the bylaw in the City of Quinte West.

Download full bylaw

  • Provides for the seizure and impounding of animals (other than dogs) being at large or trespassing and the sale of impounded animals
  • Owners of cats or other animals (other than dogs) shall prevent their cat or other animals from being found in any place other than the owner’s premises.
  • Any cat or other animal found loose on the property that is not of its owners may be taken and impounded by an animal control officer.
  • No person shall have no more than five cats per dwelling unit, and each cat must be immunized, and proof of immunization must be made available upon request of an animal control officer.

Download full bylaw

Building and property standards:

  • Regulates the type, placement and timing of election signs both on private and public property within the City of Quinte West 
  • Election signs for municipal elections are not to be installed until the candidate is officially registered in the election and must be removed no later than three working days following the voting day. 
  • Elections signs that have been affixed, erected or otherwise displayed in contravention to any provision of the bylaw may be removed immediately without notice.

Download full bylaw

  • Prohibits unwanted graffiti on a property
  • Graffiti is considered a public nuisance.
  • Prohibits the sale of graffiti implements to minors
  • Outlines powers of inspection and compliance options

Download full bylaw, Graffiti implements

Download full bylaw, Graffiti management

  • Defines standards for maintaining a property in the City of Quinte West
  • Property owners must maintain the property and dwellings in a clean, sanitary, safe condition and a state of good repair.
  • Maintenance standards include all components of the dwelling, including fencing, drainage, accessory buildings and structures. 
  • Dwelling units must be provided with a suitable heating system capable of maintaining an indoor temperature of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit)  
  • Property that does not conform with the bylaw’s standards may result in the issuance of an Order. 
  • Failure to comply with an Order may result in the property being repaired and maintained to conform with the bylaw’s standards at the owner’s expense, in addition to any other fine or penalty.

Download full bylaw, Property standards

Download full bylaw, Amendment No. 1 – Derelict and abandoned buildings

Download full bylaw, Amendment No. 2 – Derelict and abandoned buildings

  • By-Law to Control Discharges to the Municipal Sewer System

Download the full bylaw

  • Regulates where and what type of signs can be placed in private and public areas.
  • Sets out the process and requirements for a signed permit.
  • Outlines measures to remove signs that are found to be in an unsafe condition or signs that don’t conform with the provisions of the bylaw or any other bylaw or code.

Download full bylaw

Amending By-law 24-154 

  • Defines the standards for maintaining a property in the City of Quinte West
  • Property owners must maintain the property in a clean, tidy and safe condition, free from any health hazard or fire or other dangerous risks.
  • An officer may enter upon any property at any reasonable time to inspect the property to determine compliance with the bylaw provisions.
  • Property that does not comply with the bylaw provisions may result in the issuance of an Order.
  • Failure to comply with an Order may result in the City entering onto the property. In addition to any other fine or penalty that may be imposed, the City may take such steps as are considered necessary to bring the property into compliance with the bylaw at the owner’s expense.

Download full bylaw

Council and city administration:

Outlines guidelines for community outdoor rinks on municipal property, including location, operating dates and times, and service standards including maintenance responsibilities, equipment, amenities and staffing.

Download full bylaw

Outlines all development and redevelopment charges on all lands, buildings, or structures developed for residential or non-residential uses.

Download full by-law

Download by-law amendment

Outlines a procedure for appointing a deputy mayor for the City of Quinte West.

Download full bylaw

Download bylaw amendment

Outlines all common fees and charges for city services.

Download full by-law
Download by-law amendment (April 2, 2025)
Download by-law amendment (Sept. 17, 2025)
Download by-law amendment (Oct. 15, 2025)
Download by-law amendment (Dec. 17, 2025)
Download by-law amendment (Feb. 4, 2026)
Download by-law amendment (March 4, 2026)

Governs the utilization and application of insurance and risk management practices

Download full bylaw

  • Establishes the rules, regulations of, use of, and to govern the conduct of persons who in any way use public parks, approved parks, urban spaces, trails, golf courses, marinas and community recreation areas in the City of Quinte West.
  • Where signs are erected, the use of any part or parts of any park, urban space or recreation area is prohibited between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following day unless otherwise permitted.

Download full bylaw

  • To govern the calling, place and proceedings of meetings of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Quinte West.
  • The rules and regulations that need to be followed in all Council, Committees and Local Boards of the Municipality.

Download full bylaw

Download bylaw amendment

When and how the City is required to give notice to the public under the guidelines set out by the Municipal Act.

Download full bylaw 

  • Regulates how the city procures goods and services
  • Ensures consistency and fairness amongst bidders during the procurement process
  • Visit our bids and tenders page for additional purchasing services

Download the full purchasing policy (PDF)

Establishes the life for records of the City of Quinte West.

Download full bylaw

Download Amendment

To ensure that following the Municipal Act and the City’s Official Plan’s intent, transparent and accountable processes are observed in the disposal of all real property, and that returns are in the City’s best interests.

Download full bylaw

Outlines all the water and wastewater rates for the City.

Download full bylaw

Licensing:

  • Outlines the application process to obtain a hen coop licence
  • No person can operate a hen coop anywhere in the City unless they have first obtained a hen coop licence. 
  • A limit of four hens per residential property is permitted with a hen coop licence, and the keeping of roosters is strictly prohibited.
  • Hen coop is allowed on properties that have a minimum of 1.0 acres, confirms with all applicable law; including the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, complies with the property standards bylaw and the use or proposed use confirms with the zoning bylaw and zone provisions that apply to the property. 
  • Limit of four hens permitted on each residential property.
  • Licence is valid for one calendar year and should be renewed annually by Dec. 31.

Download full bylaw

  • Outlines the application process to obtain  a licence to operate a business, such as a refreshment vehicle, temporary vendor, and lodging house within the City of Quinte West
  • All must comply with the applicable fire and zoning regulations and provide proof of insurance. 
  • Licences are non-transferable if a business is sold or moves to a new location.

Visit our business licence page to apply for a licence.

Download full bylaw

Download amendment

  • Outlines the procedures for licencing and registering dogs, submitting applications for kennel licences and procedures for impounded dogs.
  • Outlines the keeping of guard and dangerous dogs, dogs being at large and behaviour of dogs
  • Every dog owner within the City’s limits shall obtain a dog licence annually by the first day of January of each year.
  • No more than three dogs are allowed per dwelling unit or location within an urban area and five dogs in rural areas of the City of Quinte West.
  • All boarding/fostering, breeding or recreational kennels must obtain a kennel licence before operation.

Download full bylaw 

  • Outlines the location of the market, the market days and hours, market administration and market fees. 
  • Outlines the permitted produce allowed to be sold at the market.
  • Outlines the rules and regulations of the market.

Download full bylaw

Download amendment

Download amendment 

  • Bylaw to implement a 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on short-term accommodations in the City.
  • Applies to accommodation sold for a continuous period of fewer than 30 days in a hotel, motel, lodge, inn, bed and breakfast, dwelling unit or any place an accommodation is provided.
  • Applied only to the accommodation charge and not accommodation related fees, such as valet parking, laundry service or continental breakfast.
  • A separate line item on all guest invoices, identified as Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). 

Download full bylaw

Parking and driving:

  • It regulates the operation and boundaries of all-terrain vehicles on municipal highways within the city of Quinte West. 
  • Regulating the rate of speed of all-terrain vehicles

Download full bylaw

  • Regulates where you can park, stop and drive on roads in Quinte West
  • Overnight parking on city streets and lots is prohibited from 11 p.m. on any day to 6 a.m. the following day between Dec. 1 and March 31.
  • Parking on residential yards within 1.5m of the edge of the driveway or laneway is prohibited.
  • Vehicles cannot block a sidewalk or overhang the curb.
  • Visit our parking page to apply for a parking permit in municipal parking lots.

Download full bylaw

Review the Parking Amendment By-law here.

Safety:

  • Regulates the sales and setting off of fireworks and firecrackers
  • Identifies the holidays in which fireworks and firecrackers can be set off each year
  • Fireworks or firecrackers can be set off three days before and the day of the holidays identified.
  • Fireworks or firecrackers can be displayed, offered for sale or sold seven days before and the holidays identified day. 

Download full bylaw

  • Prohibits the depositing of waste on highways, public lands and private lands in the city of Quinte West without the consent of the owner or occupant of the land

Download full bylaw

  • Regulates and prohibits noise within the city of Quinte West
  • Includes general noise prohibitions, noise prohibitions by time and place and exemptions from the noise prohibitions
  • Outlines the process to apply for a noise exemption.
  • Noise Exemption Application (attached).

Download full bylaw

  • Prohibits and regulates public nuisances
  • Common public nuisances as prohibited include;
    •  Soliciting either from door to door or on any highway or any other public place
    • Congregating in a group in such a manner as to obstruct free passage for pedestrians or vehicles
    • Crowd, jostle or create discomfort, disturbance or confusion for pedestrians
    • Cause a disturbance by screaming, yelling or using profane or abusive language
    • Loitering
    • Damaging or defacing any real or personal property which is owned by the City 

Download full bylaw

Download amendment

  • Regulates the setting of open-air fires
  • Establishes when open-air fires may be set and any exemptions
  • Provides for officers to inspect the property to determine compliance
  • Non-compliance can result in an officer issuing an order to discontinue the activity or a Provincial Offences Notice where charges are laid and fines imposed.

Download full bylaw

Prohibits smoking near doorways, entrances and exits of all municipal buildings in the city of Quinte West.

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  • Establishes local speed limits that reflect the needs of all road users
  • Establishes a framework to govern when requests are made to lower or raise a speed limit

Download full bylaw

Bylaw 00-143 regulates the transportation of oversized loads on highways within the City of Quinte West

Download full bylaw

Zoning:

Check our zoning bylaw page for the comprehensive zoning bylaw’s latest information.

  • Prohibits and regulates the dumping of fill, removal of topsoil and alteration of grades 
  • Outlines the process to apply for a site alteration permit

Download full bylaw

  • Designates all lands within Quinte West for site plan control.
  • Outlines delegation of site plan approval and information required for site plan control approvals.

Download full bylaw

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