By-law of the month: Nuisance By-law

By-laws are put in place to ensure a safe and orderly community for all who live, work and play in Vaughan. Each month, the City of Vaughan explores a different by-law and what it means for you. This month, let’s take a look at the Nuisance By-law 124-2024 (PDF).

Here are the basics

The Nuisance By-law prohibits unwanted and unsafe behaviours and activities in public places and on public property, including but not limited to:

• using offensive language or gestures.
• harassing or intimidating another person or persons.
• willfully causing damage to public property. 
• playing music or any other noise that disturbs or is likely to disturb others.
• using public property or public places for something other than their lawful intended use, unless otherwise permitted by the City.
• nuisance loitering and solicitation, such as panhandling, and deceptive solicitation tactics, such as when individuals misrepresent their circumstances to solicit funds.

As an alternative way to support vulnerable individuals, consider donating to reputable charitable organizations that are registered with a charitable number.

Any person violating the Nuisance By-law may be fined up to $100,000. To report someone violating the Nuisance By-law, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email the City’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team at bylaw@vaughan.ca.

For more information on the City’s Nuisance By-law, visit the City’s Nuisance By-law webpage.

For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.