February 8, 1999
To:Chairman and Members, Etobicoke Community Council
From:Harold Bratten, Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards,
Urban Planning & Development Services
Subject:Outdoor Lights - Request for Nuisance By-law
Community of Etobicoke , Ward 2,3,4 and 5
Purpose :
To report on a request to give consideration to enacting a nuisance by-law to control the
location of spotlights and security lighting.
Financial Implications:
There are no financial implications for the City.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that:
(1)the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division of Urban Planning and Development
Services give consideration to including a clause to regulate nuisance outdoor lighting in a
Property Standards by-law, and
(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to
give effect thereto.
Background:
At its meeting held on December 9, 1998, the Etobicoke Community Council had before it a
communication dated November 6, 1998, from the President of Maryla Developments
requesting consideration of the enactment of a 'nuisance by-law' to control the location of
spotlights and security lighting. The Etobicoke Community Council referred the matter to the
Deputy Chief Building Official, Etobicoke District for a report. Subsequently, the matter was
referred to the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division for submission of a report to the
Etobicoke Community Council inasmuch as the subject matter is within the Division's
jurisdiction.
Discussion:
The request for a by-law regulating the placement of outdoor lighting has come about due to a
problem concerning lighting recently installed on the property municipally known as 33
Lakeshore Drive in the Community of Etobicoke. Apparently an outdoor security light fixture
has been installed in such a way that it shines into the living area of residents in the building
on an abutting property municipally known as 41 Lakeshore Drive. A complaint has been filed
with the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division. The Etobicoke Municipal Code does
not regulate the placement of outdoor lighting nevertheless, the area inspector is attempting to
negotiate a solution to the problem. In the interim, staff is working on consolidating the
property maintenance by-laws of the former municipalities. It is anticipated that the new
by-law will be ready for submission to Council in the spring/summer of this year. Should the
by-law be approved, the regulation would apply retroactively and, if necessary, could be used
to resolve the current dispute.
Conclusions:
The request to implement control over the placement of outdoor lighting so as to eliminate a
nuisance for abutting property owners has merit and it would be appropriate to include a
regulation to that effect in the City's new Property Standards by-law.
Contact Name:
David Roberts, District Manager, West District,
Etobicoke Civic Centre
Tel: (416) 394-8008Fax: (416) 394-8958
David Roberts, District Manager
Municipal Licensing and Standards Division
