To request investigation of a possible by-law infraction, please send an email to bylaw@richmondhill.ca or call 905-771-0198 and provide details of your concern, as well as your name, address and phone number or email.
Please note that we will not respond to anonymous requests for by-law investigations and that we reserve the right to determine the appropriate enforcement response to any specific request.
If you have an urgent concern that requires immediate attention after business hours (i.e., between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.), please call our after hours By-law Enforcement Line at 905-771-5458. Urgent requests could include any situation that is putting the public at risk. Please leave your name, phone number, address of concern and a brief description of the issue. An on duty officer will receive your message and will determine if it requires immediate response or if it can wait until the next business day.
Non urgent matters will be forwarded to staff to be investigated during the next business day.
The City of Richmond Hill maintains a Municipal Code, in which each chapter is a consolidated version of a specific by-law with all relevant amendments incorporated. The Municipal Code Chapters are presented here for ease of interpretation.
Animal Services By-laws protect the health and well-being of pets and the public by regulating pet licensing, vaccinations, and registration. They also promote the humane treatment of all animals, both wild and domestic.
The City of Richmond Hill is currently undergoing a review of its Animal Services By-laws to modernize existing regulations and gain insight into topics such as maximum pet limits, humane care, wildlife interactions, pet licensing, and prohibited animals.
If you would like to provide feedback on the Animal Services By-laws Review, please email bylaw@richmondhill.ca
For more information about Animal Services, please visit Animal Services - City of Richmond Hill.
Last updated: August 20, 2024
Animal Services By-laws
Richmond Hill has a partnership with the City of Vaughan Animal Services that provides animal control and animal shelter services. Officers respond to calls about wildlife and pets.
The Animal Services By-laws regulate Animal Services provided by the City of Richmond Hill, including care of pets, dog licensing as well as the number and type of animals allowed per household. Chapters of Richmond Hill's Municipal Code related to this By-law include:
For more information visit the City of Vaughan website at www.vaughan.ca/animalservices or reach them at:
Richmond Hill's Cannabis By-law (No. 112-18) prohibits cannabis use in all public places in Richmond Hill. Public places include any place to which the public has access as of right or invitation, express or implied, regardless of whether it is owned by a public or private entity and any motor vehicle located in a public place or in any place open to public view.
Medical cannabis use is exempt from this By-law and subject to relevant federal and provincial legislation. Questions and concerns regarding medical cannabis should be directed to York Region Public Health, Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Control Officers at 1-800-361-5653.
The following types of concerns/complaints regarding recreational smoking or vaping of cannabis should be reported to the York Regional Police non-emergency line 1-866-876-5423:
Concerns and complaints regarding adults smoking cannabis in public areas such as parks, sidewalks and retail and commercial parking lots should be directed to the City of Richmond Hill Community Standards Division at 905-771-0198.
Please note that given the legality of medical and recreational cannabis use, reports of cannabis odours causing a nuisance will not be investigated.
In December 2018, Richmond Hill Council voted unanimously to opt out of cannabis retail stores within its municipal boundaries in accordance with the Cannabis Law Statute Amendment Act, 2018. The Act allows municipalities to opt out before January 22, 2019.
Residents can still purchase cannabis online and in April 2019 from retailers outside of Richmond Hill authorized by the provincial government. In addition, Municipal governments can opt in to cannabis retail stores in the future.
For more details, please see the news release: Richmond Hill Opts Out of Cannabis Retail.
Clean Neighbourhoods By-law
Richmond Hill's Clean Neighbourhoods By-law was enacted on June 5, 2024. Clean Neighbourhoods regulates property maintenance including bird feeders, rubbish, debris, residential exterior lighting, inoperative vehicles, graffiti and vacant properties.
For more information on Clean Neighbourhood requirements please view the Clean Neighbourhoods By-law.
Richmond Hill's Fence By-law No. 140-90 regulates the maximum height of fences on your property. This includes rear, side and front yard fences, there are specific fence regulations for corner properties as well.
The By-law also outlines requirements of pool enclosures. Homeowners must get a Pool Enclosure Permit before installing a pool on their property. For more information on obtaining a Pool Enclosure Permit please visit our Site Alteration and Pool Enclosure Permits page.
For more information on fence and pool enclosure requirements please view the Fence By-law.
Richmond Hill's Fireworks By-law No. 77-10 regulates the sale and use of fireworks in the City of Richmond Hill.
For more information on firework requirements please view the Fireworks Permit and Safety Tips page.
Grass and Weeds By-law
Richmond Hill's Grass and Weeds By-law No. 31-19 regulates the maximum length of grass and weeds on all properties in Richmond Hill. All grass and weeds are to be kept at a length not to exceed 20 cm.
For more information on grass and weed control in our community please visit our Grass and Weeds page, or view the Grass and Weeds By-law
On June 24, 2020 Council enacted new idling regulations. These regulations prohibit the idling of motor vehicles for more than three minutes. The By-law also provides exemptions for emergency vehicles, public transit, and extreme weather conditions.
For more information please view the Idling By-law No. 44-20.
Light Pollution By-law
Richmond Hill's Light Pollution By-law No. 63-95 regulates the installation and use of outdoor light in a variety of settings including commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, and multi-residential uses. These regulations include limits to illumination levels and hours of operation.
For more information about light pollution control please view the Light Pollution By-law.
The Noise By-law No. 43-20,as amended outlines the times and limits that certain noises are allowed, such as:
You can apply for an exemption to Noise By-law No. 43-20 using our online fillable form. Please complete the application form below and allow up to five business days for a response.
Noise Exemptions may be granted to permit noise outside of the regulations of the Noise By-law. To seek a noise exemption, application can be made to the Community Standards Division for relief from the Noise By-law in certain instances such as special events, and required construction outside of the noise regulations.
For after hours noise complaints, please contact our after hours By-law Enforcement Line at 905-771-5458. Please leave your name, phone number, address of concern and a brief description of the noise issue, and an officer will investigate your concern.
For more information related to noise, noise exemptions or a noise related complaint contact the By-law and Licensing Section.
Highway Obstruction By-law
Richmond Hill's Highway Obstruction By-law No. 17-87 regulates the placement or dumping of equipment, materials, rubbish, or garbage on any street or roadway. This includes the boulevard and unpaved areas of the roadway.
For more information please view the Highway Obstruction By-law.
Open Air Burning By-law
Richmond Hill's Open Air Burning By-law No. 51-05 regulates open air burning and allows residents to apply for a permit from the Chief Fire Official.
For more information on open air burning please visit our Open Air Burning Page.
Parks play an integral role in the community promoting good physical and mental health through physical activity, and social interactions, and by promoting the environment. The City of Richmond Hill has governed parks and their uses since 1975.
The Park Use By-law No. 19-22 provides a set of rules to guide the actions and behaviour of park users and are intended to provide a balance between protection of public assets, while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for park users.
For more information on Parks please visit our Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Page or view the Park Use By-law.
For more information on Lake Wilcox Park please visit our Lake Wilcox Park Page.
Parking Regulation By-law
Richmond Hill has by several by-laws which regulate parking in order to keep the streets safe and reasonably unobstructed by parked vehicles.
The Parking Control By-law No. 402-89 regulates on-street parking and certain instances of parking on private property.
The Fire Route Designation By-law sets standards for fire routes, and gives authority to Fire Services to designate their location and design on private property.
The Accessible Parking By-law No. 305-90 regulates accessible parking including size, location, and number of accessible parking spots on a property.
For more more information regarding parking regulations, including how to pay a parking ticket, please visit our Parking page, or view the parking regulation by-laws.
Property Standards By-law
Richmond Hill's Property Standards By-law No. 62-24 was enacted on June 5, 2024.
Richmond Hills Property Standards By-law No. 62-24 sets minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of properties.
For more information on property standards please view our Property Standards page or view the Property Standards By-law.
Richmond Hill's Sign By-law No. 52-09 regulates the size, location and number of signs that are allowed on a property and for special events. For more information regarding different types of allowable signage please visit our Sign Permit page, or view the Sign By-law.
Residents are allowed to remove illegal signage from their property. Complaints regarding illegal signage on public property may be reported to the By-law Education and Enforcement Section, while complaints about illegal signs on Regional Roads should be reported to York Region.
Site Alteration By-law
The Site Alteration By-Law No. 166-07 regulates site alteration (grading and material placed on land, such as soil) in all areas of Richmond Hill, for more information on site alteration please view the Site Alteration By-law, or site alteration permit page.
Trees on City Streets By-law
The Trees on City Streets By-law No. 40-07 regulates the injuring and destruction of trees on City property.
To learn more about Trees on City Street please view more about tree planting and tree maintenance in Richmond Hill.
Tree Preservation By-law
Richmond Hill's Tree Preservation By-law No. 41-07 regulates the injuring and destruction of tress on private property. This by-law requires that you obtain a permit before removing or injuring any tree with a diameter at breast height of 20 cm or more (see the image below, which shows that a tree's diameter at breast height is measured at 1.4 metre above the ground).
For more information please view the Tree Cutting Permit Page.
The Waste By-law 18-19 maintains and regulates a system for the collection and disposal of household waste in the City of Richmond Hill.
For more information on waste collection in Richmond Hill please view the Waste By-law, or visit our Garbage and Recycling page.
Water Use Conservation By-law
Richmond Hill's Water Use Conservation By-law 39-08 regulates outdoor water use from June 15 to September 30. Saving water during this season helps us protect the environment and keeps our water reserves from running low. Outdoor water uses include lawn watering and car washing.
For more information on water conservation please view our Lawn Watering Restrictions page.
Richmond Hill's licensing by-laws regulate the approval process for some license applications. Our Licensing Section issues business licences and enforces the licensing requirements for Richmond Hill. For more information on the City business licensing please email businesslicensing@richmondhill.ca.
Last updated: October 12, 2021
General Licensing By-laws
Richmond Hill has several By-laws which regulate and licenses various businesses within the City. These businesses include video arcades, bowling alleys, hawkers, tobacco shops, pet shops, adult entertainment businesses, billiard halls, newspaper boxes. For more information on general business licenses please view our licensing By-laws.
General Amendment: 89-19
Municipal Code Chapter 826 - Video Arcades, Bowling Alleys, Hawkers, Tobacco Shops and Pet Stores
Municipal Code Chapter 829 - Adult Entertainment Establishments
Municipal Code Chapter 830 - Adult Video Stores
Municipal Code Chapter 831 - Billiard, Pool, and Bagatelle Tables.
Municipal Code Chapter 834 - Body Rub Parlours
Municipal Code Chapter 865 - Newspaper Boxes
Richmond Hill's Refreshment Vehicle By-law No. 194-05 regulates and licenses the sale of food and beverages from vehicles within the community. For more information about refreshment vehicle licensing please view the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.
Municipal Code Chapter 875 - Refreshment Vehicle By-law No. 194-05
Second Hand Goods By-law
Richmond Hill's Second Hand Goods By-law No. 195-05 regulate and licenses the purchase and sale of second hand goods. By-law No. 195-05 does not require a licenses for garage sale spanning no more than 2 days, twice per year. for more information please view the Second Hand Goods By-law.
Municipal Code Chapter 879 - Second Hand Goods By-law No. 195-05
Taxi Licensing By-law
Richmond Hill's Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law No. 133-04 requires all Taxi and Limousine Owners, Brokers and Drivers to be licensed. Richmond Hill Licensing Enforcement Officers inspect taxis, to ensure they are clean and in a proper working order to ensure the safety of their customers. For more information please view the Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law.
Tow Truck By-law
The City of Richmond Hill is no longer regulating and issuing licenses to tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators.
For more information view our Tow Truck Licensing Page.
Zoning By-laws set the allowed uses for properties. These by-laws are important when it comes to development projects and any alteration projects you want to make to your property.
Front Yard Parking and Driveway Apron By-laws
Richmond Hill's Front Yard Parking By-law 84-03 regulates the maximum width of private driveways, as well as setting a minimum percentage of landscaping in the front yard.
Richmond Hill's Driveway Apron By-law 117-08 regulates the maximum width of driveway aprons (the portion of the driveway on municipal property).
For more information regarding driveways and front yard parking visit our Front Yard Parking Page.
General Zoning By-laws
Richmond Hill's General Zoning By-laws set the allowed uses for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and all other properties. The By-laws also include set back requirements for structures, widths of driveways, business uses and home occupations.
Building development projects must review the Zoning By-laws before applying for a building permit.
Contact our Building Services Division at 905-771-8810 to report any Zoning By-law violations or if you have any questions about zoning.
Richmond Hill's Administrative Monetary Penalty System is a municipal alternative to the Provincial court system that administers and adjudicates by-law offences. The AMPS program transfers offences like waste and tow truck disputes from the courtroom to the municipality. Most disputes are resolved within 45 days.
