Bylaw enforcement - light intrusion - light infiltration - lights shining into a home - buffering

Contact 311, to file a complaint. A service request will be submitted for Municipal Licensing & Standards to investigate light from buildings or vehicle headlights shining directly into a dwelling.

The emphasis has to be placed on "directly" before it can be considered a violation.

Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 629-17A. Buffering Property that, because of its use, occupancy or other reasons, creates a nuisance to other properties in the neighbourhood shall be buffered from these properties so as to minimize the effect of the nuisance by the provision and maintenance of:

• A barrier or deflectors to prevent lighting and vehicle headlights from shining directly into a dwelling unit;
• A barrier to prevent wind-blown waste, wrappings, debris and similar things from littering or settling on adjacent properties;
• A visual screen or fence, of uniform construction and appropriate to the nature of the adjacent use, to minimize the visual impact of nuisances to persons at grade on adjacent properties or a public highway; and
• The provision and maintenance of a barrier of sufficient size and strength to prevent the dumping of debris or refuse in yards or vacant property.

Read more about Apartment Building Standards.