How to report a by-law infraction
You can report a by-law violation online, by phone, or in person. Most complaints are handled through our 311 service.
Report online
Use the City Services online form to file a complaint. You can upload photos directly to the form, which helps our officers investigate faster. You will receive a file number by email once your report is logged.
Call 311
If you are inside city limits, dial 311. If you are calling from outside the city, call 519-555-0100. Our operators will take your details and forward them to a peace officer.
Visit City Hall
You can also report a violation in person at the Service Wrenford counter. The counter is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1.
Information you need to report
To help our team respond quickly, please have the following ready when you call or fill out the form:
- Your full name and a contact phone number
- The exact address and location of the property where the violation is happening
- A clear description of the problem
- Photos or videos, if available
Your identity stays confidential. We do not accept anonymous complaints, so please make sure your contact information is correct. Our officers may need to verify your details during an investigation.
What happens next
Once you submit a complaint, it gets a unique file number. The report goes to a peace officer who will review the details. Because we receive a high volume of requests, it can take up to 3 business days for an officer to look at your case. We prioritise complaints that involve serious public safety risks.
If the issue is a simple public safety hazard, such as a fallen tree branch on a sidewalk, a City crew or contractor will fix it right away.
Enforcement steps
If the violation is on private property, the owner will be contacted first. The process usually follows these steps:
- Warning or ticket: For minor or first-time issues, an officer may issue a warning or a violation ticket under the Community Standards By-law.
- Remedial Order: If the problem continues, the property owner gets a Remedial Order giving them 21 days to fix the issue.
- Corrective Action: After 21 days, if the issue is not resolved, a Notice of Corrective Action is issued. City crews or contractors will complete the work, and the property owner is billed for the cost.
Recurring issues
Some problems happen more than once. If you deal with a repeated violation, keep a log. Write down the date, time, and exact location of each incident. Bring this log when you file your report or speak with an officer. Detailed records help our team act faster.
For specific types of complaints, you can use our direct reporting links:
Contact by-law enforcement
For general questions about by-laws, contact the By-law Enforcement office. You can email [email protected] or call 519-555-0100. The office is managed by Noah Feldman, Manager, By-law Enforcement.