By-law Services

Breaking News!

Winter is on the way, and this means overnight parking restrictions within the Town of Gravenhurst are back starting November 1st!

To help our Public Works department safely clear snow and keep our roads safe this winter, please ensure your vehicle(s) are removed from all municipal roads between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

By-law and Public Works staff will be actively monitoring parking from November 1st through April 30th.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep Gravenhurst moving safely this winter!

While the Town of Gravenhurst does not specifically regulate hunting activities, it is recommended that residents and visitors follow up with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to learn where hunting is permitted and understand the rule and regulations governing the sport.

Crown land hunting and information

Residents and visitors looking for information on ATVs and Off-road Vehicles can find more information at:

The Town of Gravenhurst ATV By-law

Driving an off-road vehicle (ORV)

Enforcement Hours of Operation

Summer Hours (May to September): 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Winter Hours (September to May): 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Welcome to By-law Services

The Town of Gravenhurst By-law Services commits itself to providing the community with a responsive and professional approach to enforcing municipal by-laws.

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers are responsible for providing education and enforcement for by-laws that relate to public safety and ensuring the overall quality and enjoyment of our Town for both residents and visitors.

Be a good neighbour

Concerns can often be resolved with a simple and friendly conversation. Before reaching out to By-law Services, try talking to your neighbour and seeing if you can amicably find a solution to the situation at hand.

Report a Concern

Need to report a concern? Use our online reporting platform Cloudpermit. Once an investigation is launched, a status update is not generally provided to the complainant. The Town of Gravenhurst strives to resolve all complaints quickly, with voluntary compliance as the primary objective. While complainant information is kept strictly confidential, there are instances where complainants may be required to attend court. 

By-laws and Policies

By-law Services is a reactive division that responds to concerns reported through the Report It program. By-law Officers investigate potential By-law related offences such as, but not limited to Property Standards, Clean and Clear, Dog’s Running at Large, Parking and Noise. For a list of enforceable By-laws please visit the By-laws and Policies page.

By-law Resources

Canine Control

To keep your pets safe, the Town licences dogs to help reunite lost animals with their owners. Get your dog licence now!

Muskoka Wildlife

Learn about encounters with Muskoka Wildlife as well as what to do if you find a stray or feral cat.

Sign Permits

The Town of Gravenhurst has a Sign By-law to regulate which signs require a permit and those that can be placed on private property without a permit. Learn more on the Sign Permits page.

Open Air Burning

By-law Services staff are responsible for the enforcement of minor, non life threatening open air fires. See more below.

Pay a Ticket

Received a Parking Infraction Notice or an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP)?

Parking Control

The Town of Gravenhurst enforces parking related offences for no parking/no stopping and winter overnight parking.

Short Term Rentals

View the map of STR properties and learn about licencing. For complaints please use the Cloudpermit portal above.

Landlord Tenant Complaints

Before submitting a complaint, please review the resources below.

Landlord-Tenant Complaints

Landlord-tenant complaints are handled by provincial bodies and local municipal services, as there is no specific municipal landlord-tenant board. The key resources for tenants include the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU), and the local Community Legal Clinic.

If a tenant finds it necessary to file a complaint then:

Contact your landlord first in writing (email or letter) to document the issue and the date.

If the problem persists, contact the relevant organization listed above based on the nature of your complaint.

Use the LTB if you need a legal order (e.g., forcing repairs, addressing illegal evictions, or resolving rent disputes).

Use the RHEU for RTA offences like illegal lockouts or vital service interference.

For additional resources and step-by-step guidance on housing law issues, the Steps to Justice website is a valuable resource. 

Open Air Burning

By-law Services staff are responsible for the enforcement of minor, non life threatening open air fires.

The Town’s Open Air Burn Control By-law 2023-20 set our standards and regulations for recreational open air fires within Gravenhurst.

We know that sitting around a campfire in Muskoka is a favorite pastime of many, however it is important for residence and visitors to know that daytime burning is restricted from May until October, to reduce the risk of forest fires and to maintain relationships between neighbours.

DO NOT BURN during a declared fire ban. To view the current fire rating please visit the Forest Fire Danger Rating page.

For more information, download our Open Air Burn Control Postcard

Burn By-law Map Region

Recreational fires are permitted for properties within the purple outline (see map below). They must be a max. size of 61cm by 61cm & 6m away from flammable objects/structures.
Non-Recreational fires are permitted only for properties outside of the purple outline (see map below). They must not exceed max. size of 2x2m & 20m away from flammable objects/structures.

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