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Resident Services
Resident Services

Municipal services

BUILDING PERMITS The Building Code Act requires anyone, by law, to obtain a building permit to: (1) make material alterations, additions or repairs to a building; (2) construct any new building or structure on their property; (3) install new plumbing; (4) install a fireplace or woodstove; (5) to demolish any building or part thereof; (6) renovate or convert an existing building and (7) to install any type of swimming pool. Building Permit Applications are available at the Building Office at Town Hall. If you are not sure if a permit is required or if you have any questions, please contact the Building Office.

BUS TICKETS, PASSES SCHEDULES Schedules are available at the Town Hall or from the Bus Driver. Tickets can be purchased at Town Hall.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Contact the Building Department before starting any work on Municipal property, and before any excavation, service installations, driveway construction, etc. on any public or private property. Monitoring of soil conditions by the Construction Monitoring Program is required prior to any excavating, at no cost to the homeowner; contact the Building Office for more information.

DOG TAGS are available at Town Hall or Canton Office. A rabies certificate must be presented at the time of purchase. Veterinarians in the area conduct rabies clinics in the fall of each year; watch for information on times and locations.

HERITAGE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS support the restoration and preservation of our heritage buildings. Completed applications and required documentation must be filed prior to the commencement of proposed alterations. Information packages and application forms are available at Town Hall or download the forms here.

The Port Hope Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) offers ACO Fund loans for approved projects on designated commercial or residential buildings in Port Hope. Applications are available at Town Hall. For more information contact the ACO at Box 563 Port Hope ON L1A 3Z4 or at www.acoporthope.ca.

PROPERTY STANDARDS By-law #69/2006 prescribes standards for the maintenance and occupancy of property. Contact the Building Office for information.

SIGNS By-law #17/2005 regulates signs and other advertising devices. Contact the Building Office for more information.

TAX INFORMATION Tax notices are mailed twice a year and payable in four installments or through monthly preauthorizedpayments. Payment can be made at Town Hall or the Canton Office (cash, cheque or Interac), via monthly or due date pre-authorized paymentsand online or in person at most banks. A drop box is available on the front door of Town Hall and the Canton Office for after-hours payment. Interest is charged on outstandingprinciple balances at the rate of 1.25% per month.

TREE PLANTING Donations for a tree dedication to beautify the Municipality can be made at Town Hall; a tax deductible receipt will be issued. Costs to supply and plant a tree vary depending on the species, availability, and time of year and do not include any type of plaque or marker. For more information contact Parks, Recreation Culture.

WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES The County of Northumberland is responsible for all garbage and recycling within the Municipality of Port Hope. For information on garbage/recycling, please call the County Waste Management Office at 1-866-293-8379 or visit www.northumberlandcounty.ca.

Recyclables must be placed loose in clear blue or clear bag or blue box. Cardboard must be flat and tied in 30" x 30" x10" bundles.

Garbage must be placed in a bag (max. 75 cm x 95 cm (30" x 38") max. weight 18kg/40lbs.) or garbage can (max. size 77 litres). All garbage bags must have a garbage tag (77 litre cans require 2 tags), available for purchase ($2.75 each) at Town Hall and Canton Municipal Office.

Ward 1 curb-side pickup is limited to 3 bags of garbage per week for residential homes and 3 bags per unit for apartment buildings with 6 or fewer units.

Ward 2 residents are required to use the Canton Transfer Station for household garbage/recyclables (no limit on the number of bags) Transfer station is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; Wednesday 11-7pm (closed Thursday and Sunday)

Bulky Waste Residents may take bulky waste items to the Bewdley Transfer Station. For information on free bulky waste vouchers please contact the County Waste Management Office.

Hazardous Waste Household Hazardous Waste Depot is located at the Bewdley Transfer Station on the north side of County Rd #9, between #28 and #18.

WATER Water bills are mailed out four times a year; payment is due in January, April, July and October. Payments can be made at Town Hall or the Canton Office (cash/cheque/Interac), via pre-authorized payments, and online or in person at most banks. A drop box is available on the front door of Town Hall and the Canton Office for after-hours payment.

WEED CONTROL Noxious weeds (including but not limited to Goat's Beard, Chicory, Thistles, Ragweed, Poison Ivy, and Wild Carrot) must be destroyed by June 1st of each and every year, and throughout the season. The Municipality may enter upon non-compliant lands to destroy noxious weeds or weed seeds, charging the costs against the land owner in taxes as set out in the Act. Dandelions, Burdock and Goldenrod are not considered noxious weeds under the Weed Control Act. Inquires should be directed to the Public Works Department.

WINTER MAINTENANCE Ward 1 Snow Routes - No Parking zones are in effect December 1 to March 15. Designated streets are signed and a listing is available at the Public Works Office. Sidewalks must be cleared by owners or residents in all areas following any significant snowfall. Ice and/or snow build-up on roofs under certain conditions during winter months create a hazard for sidewalk pedestrians and motorists. To warn pedestrians of the danger of overhead ice and/or snow, contact the Municipality to obtain temporary construction barriers.

Obtaining barriers is possibly not enough to prevent you from the embarrassment and cost of legal action which could be brought against you. If ice does build up you should contact a reputable contractor to ascertain whether they have the equipment and expertise to safely remove hazardous ice and snow overhang and install measures to prevent further build-up.