What are by-laws and policies?
By-laws and policies are the rules that keep our city running smoothly. While they sound similar, they serve different purposes.
By-laws are official laws passed by City Council. They cover things like noise, parking, property standards, and animal control. If you break a by-law, you may get a fine or a ticket. Council passes by-laws under the Municipal Act, 2001 and other Ontario laws, such as the Highway Traffic Act and the Building Code Act, 1992.
Policies are the guidelines that tell City staff and Council members how to do their work. They cover topics like transparency, conflict of interest, and how to run meetings. Policies do not carry fines, but they make sure the City operates fairly and openly. You can view the full list on our Policies page.
Find a by-law
You can read the full text of any by-law on our By-laws page. Here are some of the most common ones you might need:
- Property Standards By-law 2019-112
- Traffic and Parking By-law 2014-075
- Noise By-law 2016-122
- Responsible Pet Ownership By-law 2018-063
- Winter Maintenance and Parking By-law 2020-097
- Business Licensing By-law 2021-033
Each by-law has a number that shows the year it was passed and a unique code. For example, By-law 2019-112 was the 112th by-law passed in 2019. If you need help finding a specific rule, contact the City Clerk's office at [email protected] or call 519-555-0100.
How policies are made and updated
Council policies are created and updated under the Procedure By-law 2023-018. This by-law sets out how Council runs its meetings, how decisions are made, and how policies are reviewed. Every few years, the City Manager reviews all active policies to make sure they still work for our community.
If you want to suggest a new policy or request a change to an existing one, you can submit a petition to council or ask to speak at a meeting. Council will review your request and decide if it fits the City's strategic priorities. All policy changes are recorded in the official meeting minutes, which you can view online.
Accessing official records
Both by-laws and policies are public records. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you can visit Wrenford City Hall during business hours or call 519-555-0100. There may be a small fee for certified copies. If you need information about someone else's personal file, you must follow the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and submit a formal request.
Not sure if a rule is a by-law or a policy? Looking for information on a specific topic? The City Clerk's office keeps the official register of all city rules. We are here to help you navigate them.