3407-2019 Line Fences By-Law
BEING A LINE FENCES BY-LAW FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF AUGUSTA
Passed by Council February 28, 2019
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF AUGUSTA
BY-LAW NUMBER 3407-2019
BEING A LINE FENCE BY-LAW FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF AUGUSTA
WHEREAS section 5(1) and 5(3) of the Municipal Act S.O. 2001, as amended states that
a municipal power including a municipality’s capacity, rights, power and privileges under
section 9 shall be exercised by By-law unless the municipality is specifically authorized to
do otherwise;
AND WHEREAS the Council of the Township of Augusta deems it expedient to enact a
Line Fence by-law.
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Augusta hereby
enacts as follows that:
1. General
Under the Line Fences Act, the Clerk of the municipality or his or her designate
shall be responsible for the administration of the Line Fences Act.
Prior to making an application for Fence Viewers, a land owner interested in
having a boundary fence constructed, reconstructed or repaired should:
a. Make every possible effort to reach an agreement with the adjoining owner;
b. Discuss the matter informally with staff prior to a formal hearing by the
Fence viewer;
c. Attempt to make sure that the Act applies to the lands of both owners; and,
d. Ensure that the boundary line between the two properties is not in dispute.
The Line Fences Act does not apply to allow fence-viewers to settle properly line
or title disputes. The owner and adjoining owner shall deal with disputes as to the
location of fences.
Fence Viewers shall be guided in the performance of their duties by the provisions
of the Line Fences Act.
No arbitration or other proceeding requiring the attendance of fence viewers shall
be scheduled between November 1 and March 31 in the next following year.
2. Administration
Upon receipt of a formal application (form 1) and payment for the same, the Clerk
of the municipality, or designate, shall establish a date and time for the hearing.
The said hearing shall take place within (30) days of the receipt of the completed
application.
The Clerk, or designate, shall provide notice on the required form (form 2) to the
land owners of the date and time of the hearing, and such notice shall be provided
by personal service or by registered mail.
The Clerk, or designate, shall provide notice on the required form (form 3) to three
of the Fence Viewers advising of the date, time and location of the hearing, and
such notice shall be provided by registered mail at least one week in advance of
the hearing date.
The Fence Viewers shall deposit the Award (form 4) in the office of the Clerk and
a copy of the Award shall be sent by registered mail to the owners and occupants
of the adjoining lands. This Award shall outline the division of costs responsible
by each owner under Section 2 of Form 4 a well ag the completion date for the
work required to be done by each property owner.
The owner dissatisfied with the award may, within 15 days of receipt of award,
may file a notice of appeal (form 5). Notice must be served to the adjacent land
owner and filed with the Clerk with the mandatory fee required to be paid to the
Province for services of a referee.
3. Fees
All requests for Fence Viewers shall be accompanied by a certified cheque
payable to the township or cash/debit payment in the amount of $330 to be
applied against the costs of fence viewer’s fees and the administration of the
same. This fee is non-refundable once the Fence Viewers have attended the site.
If it is determined that the Line Fences Act does not apply prior to the viewing, the
deposit shall be returned, less a $25 administration fee.
Fence Viewers shall be paid per visit/meeting at the rate set out in the Fence
Viewers By-law.
4. Breach
If an owner feels that there has been a breach of the Award, the enforcement
procedures set out in the Line Fences Act can be utilized and the Fence Viewers
will be reconvened to make a determination.
The adjoining owner (who has defaulted) shall be responsible for paying the cost
of the Fence Viewers re-attending the site, plus administrative costs incurred by
the municipality set at $330.
Read a first, second, and third time and finally passed this 28 day of February, 2019
Signed by Mayor Doug Malanka and Clerk Annette Simonian
