By-laws and Enforcement

In the Municipality of Trent Lakes, we issue a variety of by-laws to keep our community clean and safe for all residents and visitors to enjoy. Review our by-laws and learn how to submit a by-law complaint. By-law Enforcement Officers work with property owners to ensure Municipal By-laws adhered to.

Submit a by-law complaint

All formal complaints must be submitted in writing using the By-law Complaint Form. Anonymous complaints will not be investigated.

When submitting a complaint, you must provide:

Your name, address and phone number (information about a complainant is confidential)
The address of the property with the violation
Details about the concern

The complaint will be sent to the Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer or, the Peterborough Humane Society. They will begin their investigation shortly after receiving the complaint form.

We may contact you during the investigation process for more information.

After hours complaints

The Municipality of Trent Lakes offers an after hours complaint line to lodge complaints and receive information. After hours would fall outside the normal operating hours of the Municipal office Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. This service is provided by TAS-Page communication services, please note that the Municipality does not have after hours by-law enforcement available at this time and that all complaints will be received by the enforcement officer during normal office hours and followed up upon at that time. If you wished to use this service, you may call 1-705-738-3800 or 1-800-374-4009 extension 311 to be connected.

For all non-emergency OPP inquiries you may call 1-888-310-1122.

By-laws

View our By-law Enforcement Guide for quick reference to the most common by-law questions.

Animal Control By-law

The Municipality contracts the services of the Peterborough Humane Society to act as dog catcher. Please note that for the Humane Society to retrieve a dog at large, the animal must be contained in a manner which does not allow the dog to escape so that it can be collected upon arrival.

All dog noise related complaints are addressed through our noise by-law.

View our Dogs By-law to learn more about the issuing dog tags within the Municipality of Trent Lakes. The Keeping of Animals By-law regulates how we care for animals.

False Alarms By-law

The False Alarms By-law works to reduce the number of false alarms that require the deployment of police services within the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

Fireworks By-law

The Municipality has specific dates and times in which Fireworks can be used which are listed below:

New Year's Eve - between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. the following day;
Canada Day- between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on July 1st and the Weekends directly preceding and following it;
Civic Holiday - between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on the statutory holiday and the Weekend directly preceding it;
Labour Day - between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on the statutory holiday and the Weekend directly preceding it;

The Fireworks By-law regulates the discharge of fireworks within the Municipality. This includes purchasing fireworks and the dates you can set off fireworks.

Noise By-law

The Noise, Vibration, Odour, Dust and Outdoor Illumination By-law regulates noise within the Municipality of Trent Lakes. We're committed to maintaining a peaceful community that everyone can enjoy.

Off Road Vehicles By-law

Review the Off Road and ATV Vehicles By-law to learn about the regulations surrounding owning and operating off-road vehicles, such as ATVs in the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

Outdoor Fires

Any person wishing to burn in the Municipality shall obtain an annual burn permit. This can be obtained from the transfer stations or the Municipal Office during operating hours.

Any person wishing to burn in the Municipality shall phone the Burn Hot Line and leave their name, address, phone number, and date and time of when they intend to be burning. Failure to obtain the necessary permit or leave a message with the Burn Hotline may be liable for a fine.

There shall be no day time burning between the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm between the first day of April to the last day of October.

No fire shall contain rubber tires, plastic products, shingles, painted wood or building materials that are known to create extensive smoke.

No open-air fire shall be set when the Fire Index Level rises to level where it is determined to be a danger due to a drought or dry period. This information can be obtained from the Burn Hot Line # 1-800-374-4009 ext. 301.

The Outdoor Solid Fuel Combustion By-law regulates outdoor fires in the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

Parking By-law

The Parking By-law regulates parking within the Municipality of Trent Lakes. This includes municipal parking spaces, accessible parking and parking fines.

Prohibited Dumping and Littering By-law

The Prohibited Dumping and Littering By-law regulates the disposal of garbage and waste within the Municipality of Trent Lakes. Find out about our garbage and recycling services.

Property Standards By-law

The Property Standards By-law outlines property maintenance standards for all properties within Trent Lakes. View the Property Standards Committee to learn more about the complaint process.

Shipping Containers By-law

Shipping Containers

Sign By-law

View the Sign By-law to find out the regulations around constructing and erecting a sign within the Trent Lakes. You need a sign permit in order to put up a sign outside your business.

Snow Removal By-law

View our Snow Removal By-law to learn about our snow removal process. We are committed to winter road maintenance in order to keep Municipal roads clear and safe during the winter.

Water restrictions By-law

The Watering restrictions for Alpine Lake Village and Buckhorn Lakeview Estates By-law regulates water use in the Alpine Lake Village and Buckhorn Lakeview Estate. If you own property in either of these neighbourhoods, you'll need to follow these water-use regulations.