OPEN FIRES IN SOUTHCOTT PINES

The Association strongly recommends no open fires and the residents to use consideration and caution towards their neighbours, and the forests. A dangerous situation could escalate quickly and risk lives and homes.

Open Air Fires must be monitored at all times by a competent adult who is capable of exercising the required judgment and capable of performing the necessary actions to control and prevent its unwanted spread. Must be less than 1 metre (3ft) in diameter, and contained in an appliance that is for outdoor use and designed or engineered to have a fire within a contained area and is totally enclosed by various means of screening and/or other methods. Fires are not permitted when a Fire Ban is in place, signs will be posted at both Southcott Gates.

The fire must not create excess smoke, smell, airborne sparks or embers to be or could become or cause public nuisances by creating negative health effects on neighbouring residents, increasing fire exposure hazards, infringing on the enjoyment of the use of neighbouring properties.

Municipality of Lambton Shores By-Law 60 of 2009

4.1 A permit will not be required for:

1. a fire in a safe cleared area, provided the fire is less than 1 metre in diameter, is during daylight hours, is attended at all times by a Competent Adult , and the burning complies with the general provisions of this by-law.
2. An outdoor fire container, or a Burning Appliance as long as the installation and location of the Burning Appliance meets the manufacturer’s specifications;
3. a Pit or contained area used for a “Social Campfire” (less than .5m (1.5ft) in diameter and height and used in conjunction with a social gathering) between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.;

5.2 No person shall set, permit to be set, maintain, or permit to be maintained, any Open Air Burning, either with a permit, or of a size that does not require a permit, unless he or she complies with the following provisions. He/She shall:

1. only burn during daylight hours;
2. have legal title to the property at which the Open Air Burn is to occur, or the person, or Permit Holder, as the case may be, has obtained the prior consent of the person having legal title to the property;
3. only burn commercially produced charcoal, briquettes, or clean, dry, seasoned wood, or branches and leaves from the property where the burn will take place;
4. not burn Noxious Materials;
5. have an effective extinguishing agent of sufficient size and with the capability of extinguishing the Open Air Burning immediately available for use;
6. attend, control and supervise the Open Air Burning at all times;
7. completely extinguish the Open Air Burning before the site is vacated;
8. ensure the Wind Speed does not exceed 15 km per hour during the Open Air Burning;
9. not burn if it is rainy or foggy;

• not burn if a Smog Alert has been declared;
• protect adjacent properties from the potential spread of fire;
• ensure the Open Air Burning does not create a Nuisance

5.3.1 No person shall permit a fire to be located within 4 metres (80ft) of any building, structure, overhead wire or any flammable vegetation or material.

5.4 No person shall locate a fire less than 1 metre (3ft) from Municipal property, including roads and sidewalks

5.7 No person shall set any fire in the Open Air except where permitted and only in the presence of a Competent Adult. The Competent Adult shall not leave the burning operation until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished and there is no threat or re-ignition or spreading of the fire.

5.8 Every person that starts a fire in the Open Air shall ensure that there are adequate tools and/or water on hand to contain or extinguish the fire.

NOISE LEVEL CONSIDERATIONS IN SOUTHCOTT PINES

We ask that all members, visitors, and renters in Southcott Pines, be considerate of their neighbours.

Municipality of Lambton Shores Noise By-Law

The Municipality of Lambton Shores enacted a consolidated Noise By-Law in 2017- Noise By-Law 30 of 2002  which applies to Southcott Pines Park Association (SPPA) residents.

Of interest, the following commonly requested information is condensed below. Please refer to the above link for the complete by-law.

Commonly requested information:

• Excessive residential noise is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 pm and 8:00 am
• Power equipment noise is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am
• Construction Noise is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am

Lambton OPP Non-Emergency line: 1-888-310-1122

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide 24-hour service to Lambton Shores residents through their Lambton Detachment. Please contact the OPP directly for issues related to: after hours noise-related neighbour or domestic dispute complaints, loitering, trespassing, possible drug activity, vandalism, or other criminal activity.

If it is an immediate emergency, call 9-1-1.

Need to Report a By-Law Infraction?

Follow the steps below to submit a Customer Service Request (CSR) through the municipality:

1. Report the problem or concern by submitting a CSR (by letter, email, or online)
2. Once a complaint has been filed, you will receive a notification acknowledging receipt of your CSR, along with a case number assigned to your request
3. Once we have investigated and closed/completed your request, you will receive a notification*

*No follow up, involvement, information or correspondence regarding the complaint shall be provided to the complainant as the process is protected by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

By-Law Enforcement can be contacted by phone at 519-243-1400 ext. 8115

SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN SOUTHCOTT PINES

Registration of Short-Term Rentals is handled by the Municipality of Lambton Shores, not the SPPA. 

In accordance with By-Law 43-2022, all Short-Term Rental accommodations within the Municipality of Lambton Shores must obtain a valid License to operate. In addition to licensing requirements, By-Law 43-2022 includes a comprehensive licensing program that outlines regulations and requirements for the operation of a Short-Term Rental. Follow This Link to find all the resources and information related to the STR Program in Lambton Shores.

Report a Short-Term Rental Complaint or Issue

To report a Short-Term Rental complain or issue by telephone call: 226-241-8453 OR report using the online portal.

How does the process work?

Utilizing this hotline provides an opportunity for the hotline operator to contact the short-term rental’s responsible person directly and resolve the issue. Here’s a closer look at how the process works:

1. A neighbour submits a complaint (by telephone or online) about a Short-Term Rental (e.g., noisy party)
2. The hotline operator (or the online system) notifies the Responsible Person associated with the short-term rental that a complaint has been filed and provides thirty (30) minutes to resolve the issue
3. If the neighbour requested a call back from the hotline operator, they will receive a phone call to confirm whether or not the issue was resolved. If the issue was not resolved, notification to by-law enforcement will follow.

ROAD SNOWPLOWING IN SOUTHCOTT PINES

When travelling back to The Pines always be prepared and check the road conditions before heading out!

Friendly reminder that the Municipality of Lambton Shores owns 33-feet of land from the center of the road to property lot lines. Honor the municipal set-back from the roads edge – Keep mulch, stones, and and anything decorative back a minimum of 6ft for snowplowing . 

There is NO PARKING on ANY streets within Southcott Pines during the winter months to allow for snowplowing. 

Click HERE for the Roads Department at Lambton Shores.