By-Laws in Review
TML Comprehensive Zoning By-law
July 13, 2025
Have Your Say – One-on-One Waterfront Zoning Conversations
Do you have thoughts on how zoning affects waterfront properties in Muskoka Lakes? The township of Muskoka Lakes is asking residents with an interest in waterfront areas to take part in a 15-minute one-on-one telephone conversation with a member of our consulting team.
Dates: July 14 or July 16, 2025
Format: By phone, at a time that works for you
To book your call, simply email muskoka@planpart.ca(External link) with:
Your preferred day and time
The best phone number to reach you
Before your call:
We encourage you to review the Consultation Guide to explore the options being considered. We also welcome your thoughts on other waterfront-related zoning issues.
Please Note: This is the first round of personalized conversations focused on Waterfront Area zoning issues. A second round will follow in the fall for Urban, Community, and Rural areas.
Join for an in-person Open House to learn more about the Township’s new Official Plan and share your thoughts on proposed zoning updates for waterfront properties in Muskoka Lakes.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Port Carling Community Centre (3 Bailey St)
This session is part of the Township’s ongoing Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update, with a focus on key considerations for the Waterfront Area.
Topics will include:
Boathouse design and placement
Sport courts and recreational surfaces
Accessory buildings
Hot tub location and standards
And more!
What to expect:
The session will begin with a short presentation to walk you through the key zoning topics for consideration
Table group discussions on questions posed by the team
During the table group discussions, members of Township staff and the consultants are available to answer questions and discuss any aspect of the key issues being considered.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided
Your feedback will help shape the future of zoning regulations along Muskoka’s shorelines. No registration required – all are welcome.
Short Term Rental Licensing By-law
As of January 1, 2025 the short term rental licensing By-law is in place by the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Our Muskoka actively participated in the discusssion regarding this By-law. The licensing By-law requires all short term rentals to apply for a license (anything under 28 days). The license needs to be renewed annually for a fee of $1,000 if waterfront or R4 Zones and $500 if off water.
For those STRs located in the Waterfront Residential, Community Residential (R4) or Waterbody Open Space Zone, the following additional restrictions apply:
In June, July and August, a minimum of seven (7) consecutive nights in each month must be taken off from operating an STRA, and;
Between the Friday preceding the Victoria Day long weekend to the Tuesday following the Labour day long weekend, only one (1) rental group is permitted per any six (6) consecutive night period.
For properties located in all other zones, rental restrictions 1 and 2 do not apply but the occupancy limits must be adhered to.
Burning By-law
The Township of Muskoka Lakes has updated the Burning By-law 2023-034 and it took effect on April 1, 2024. Our Muskoka actively participated in the discussion regarding this By-law. Some of the changes include:
Daytime burning times are now defined and fall between the hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm;
A permit is required for any daytime burning;
Maximum size of a fire is (1 metre x 1 metre);
Special provisions have been included which would allow contractors to have a
larger fire with the Fire Chief’s approval;
Burn barrels are now regulated, and must be in sound condition with a mesh
screen; and,
A requirement for available extinguishment, which consists of a minimum
nineteen litres of water within 5 metres of the fire.
Seguin Township
Site Alteration and Tree Conservation By-laws
On March 4, 2024, the Seguin Council approved the New Site Alteration and Tree Conservation By-laws. Our Muskoka actively participated in discussions regarding these By-laws.
AMPS By-Law
Unfortunately, this Administrative Monetary Penalty System By-law was passed by the Township of Muskoka Lakes without any consideration of our concerns that we brought forth to the committee and council for discussion and debate multiple times when it came to the table.
Dark Sky By-Law
The Township of Muskoka Lakes has passed the Dark Sky By-law 2023-009. There were many discussions and major improvements to the overall By-law since its July 14th, 2022 edition. Thank you to the lighting experts in the community who spoke up and were an integral part of getting this By-law to how it stands today.
Site Alteration By-Law & Tree Conservation By-Law
As of September 14, 2022, the Township of Muskoka Lakes has adopted the updated Site Alteration By-law and Tree Conservation By-law.
To see the most up-to-date documents and permit applications please visit the below website page.
By-Law 2021-116
The Township of Muskoka Lakes Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2021-116 was approved and adopted on September 14, 2022, Council Meeting. Our major areas of concern in Shoreline Structures Exceeding Maximum Permitted Width and the Accessory Structures/Buildings in Waterfront Residential Zones were removed to be addressed at a later date.
We will keep a close eye out for a FUTURE draft.