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.
Parking Tickets
If you are issued a parking ticket by the Township of Zorra, you have an option to either pay the set fine or choose the trial option to dispute the ticket, within 15 days. After 15 days the parking ticket will be affirmed (trial option no longer available). You may make payment at the Township of Zorra office during operating hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays) at 163 Brock Street, Thamesford, Ontario. The Township accepts payment by cash, debit, or cheque. If you choose to pay by mail, please send cheque payable to the Township of Zorra, PO Box 189 Thamesford, Ontario N0M 2M0, and include a copy of your parking ticket. Payment will not be accepted at the Township after 35 days have elapsed from the date of issuance. After 35 days, you will receive a Notice of Conviction from the Ontario Court of Justice. Please take the notice of conviction and parking ticket to 415 Hunter Street, Woodstock, Ontario, to make payment.
If you choose to dispute the ticket, please fill out the backside of the ticket and schedule an appointment with the By-law Enforcement Officer. The owner of the vehicle is required to provide the Officer the completed ticket, in person. The Ontario Court of Justice will send you notice of the trial date.
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.