Good Neighbour Welcome Book
Neighbourhoods
Bringing Residents Together
Dear Innisfil Residents, We are glad you are here. For years this has been a community in which neighbours support one another. In The Town of Innisfil, we value a way of life that builds work opportunities, encourages fun, and creates a safe place to live for our children and their families. Neighbourhoods are the building blocks of our town. Stronger neighbourhoods mean stronger communities. It is important that each of us take pride in the journey of continuing to make Innisfil a desirable place to live. The goal of this welcome book is to provide resources and support for resident-led projects and initiatives. We hope to empower each resident in building connections and friendships with neighbours. As our community blossoms as an enviable residential and leisure destination, we will continue to honour our history and preserve our rural landscape, parks, trails and green spaces. It takes hard work from residents and Town employees to grow together as neighbours and a community. We encourage you to connect with others within the community, shake your neighbour’s hand, meet at a local restaurant and engage in shaping our town through your Council Members and active service. Welcome, we look forward to meeting you! Sincerely, Your neighbours at Town Hall
Neighbourliness As a result of the hard work of those in the past and present, Innisfil is a place that attracts people from all walks of life. We value diversity in our environment and neighbourhoods, and maintain a strong connection to our local heritage. As our communities expand within Innisfil, it is important to respect and get to know each other and work together to make our neighbourhoods even better. Everyone has something to contribute in the community! You never know when you might need to borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbour, or when you might need help clearing your driveway after a large snowfall.
Encouraging Neighbourly Activity We all have different expectations and it is important to keep in mind those of others. Despite the best intentions, issues arise between neighbours. We encourage homeowners to connect with their neighbours in person to voice their concerns and reach a common ground. Contacting the Town should be a secondary measure after the resident has communicated in person with their neighbours.
Innisfil’s Good Neighbour Welcome Book
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Respecting By-Laws & Your Neighbours Animal Control (By-Law No.068-06) Highlights the responsibilities of a pet owner. This By-Law protects the animals, yourself and your neighbours. Not everyone is a dog lover, so please remember the effects excessive barking may have on your neighbours. All animal owners must also clean up after their pet. Dogs must also be kept on a leash no longer than 3 metres (10 feet) unless they are in a designated off-leash dog park. Please ensure your dog is licensed. Parking (By-Law No.070-11) Outlines where and when you may park. Resident parking passes are available for pickup at Town Hall, any of the Innisfil Fire Stations, and from Community Development Standards Officers and Building Inspectors. On-street parking is not permitted between 12:00am and 7:00am from November 1 to May 1. Any vehicle found parked during these times and blocking the removal of ice and snow, parked over sidewalks or Town boulevards, may be ticketed and/or towed under this By-Law.
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Property Standards (By-Law No.075-02) The maintenance of a property is the responsibility of the owner, landlord or tenants and must meet the property standards set out by the Town. Included, is that the exterior of the property must be kept in a tidy condition and free from garbage, debris, excessive weeds, overgrown trees/hedges, machinery and parts, and collapsed structures. The property must have proper drainage and grading. Fences, decks, and roofs must be maintained in good condition.
Open Air Fires (By-Law No. 045-06) Smoke from a fire can be irritating to your neighbours. Be aware of heavy winds that may cause smoke or sparks to go in your neighbour’s property. Only burn clean, dry wood and never leave a fire unattended. Fires less than 0.5 metres in diameter, more than 5 metres from property lines, and more than 2 metres from any building do not require a permit. Fires outside these constraints require permits which are available at Town Hall and Fire Station #2 in Lefroy.
Innisfil’s Good Neighbour Welcome Book
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Noise (By-Law No. 051-06) Noise is any unwanted or meaningless sound likely to disturb other residents in your neighbourhood. The use of electronics (radios, tvs and sound systems) should be respected at all times and not be used in excess no matter what time it is. Other unwanted noise may include the use of power tools, lawn mowers, chainsaws and snow blowers. As neighbours we need to respect those around us that may work from home, work shift work, have children sleeping, etc‌
Avoid excessive noise. All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) Use (By-Law No. 099-05) ATVs are permitted on all Municipal Highways within Innisfil, however, they cannot be operated on County Roads (Yonge Street, IBR, 20th Side Road, 89, 27). The use of ATVs are not permitted between the hours of 11pm and 6am. The speed at which an ATV should operate cannot exceed those outlined in the Highway Traffic Act. ATVs are not allowed in parks and only permitted in designated areas
marked by signs.
Road Speed
ATV Speed
50 km/hr or less 20 km/hr max 50 km/hr or more 50 km/hr max
Town By-Laws Please visit the Town website for a complete listing of our By-Laws. Respecting these By-Laws will ensure that you are doing your part in being a good neighbour and keeping Innisfil the best place to live. www.innisfil.ca
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Innisfil’s Good Neighbour Welcome Book
6 WAYS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR Help Brighten the Place Where You Live Take care of the place you call home – inside and out – to keep things safe and attractive whether you own or rent. Trim bushes, mow the lawn and clean clutter on the property regularly. Maintain swales and keep trash cans and other debris out of sight. Paint when necessary. Pick up after the dog. Be Engaged, But Be Mindful of Others No one likes a noisy neighbour: Always playing music at top volume… holding parties all night long… leaving a barking dog outside all day… running a leaf blower at 6 am on a Sunday. Be an active part of your neighbourhood, but please use common sense and courtesy. Get to Know Your Neighbours It’s much easier to resolve issues with neighbours if you have a friendly cordial relationship with those around you. You may realize that you have things in common and make life-long friends.
Volunteer in Your Community Don’t limit your neighbourly actions to your own block or street. Be a part of Innisfil’s vibrant volunteer culture. Remember that everyone who lives in any community has the ability to help make it a better place for all. Lend a Hand Treat your neighbours with respect, or better yet, go the extra mile. Shovel your neighbour’s driveway. Volunteer to drive an elderly neighbour to the grocery store. Offer to collect mail while a neighbour is on vacation. The more often you lend a hand, the more likely your neighbours will do the same for you when you need assistance. Be Aware and Most of All Care! If you know your neighbours, then you’ll also know if something seems wrong. Know the local kids. Keep track of who is on vacation, and see to the welfare of those that are vulnerable, elderly, and those who may be disabled. Knowing and caring for your neighbours helps assure others will do the same for you.
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WE ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR FEEDBACK! • Did you find this book helpful? • How long have you lived in Innisfil? • What else would you like to see included? • Additional feedback and comments are appreciated. Please email ourplace@innisfil.ca to receive a gift for providing your feedback.
2101 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil ON L9S 1A1 705-436-3710 1-888-436-3710 www.innisfil.ca inquiry@innisfil.ca
Accessible formats available upon request.