Category Archives: House and home

Routine maintenance keeps Guelph’s sewer pipes flowing The City completes sewer main cleaning across Guelph on about a three-year rotating basis. Cleaning is done year-round, Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and usually takes a few hours on each street. We are currently cleaning sewer mains in areas 11, 16 and 20. What to expect Toilets, sinks and other appliances can still be used during cleaning. Air pressure in the sewer can create noise in sewer pipes, and may cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and drains. Keeping toilet lids closed, and sink drains plugged when not in use will help avoid spills. Sewer cleaning can create short-term nuisance odors. Odors can be cleared by opening a window for a… Continue reading Sanitary sewer cleaning

Don’t be taken by surprise this winter. Take time now to prevent frozen pipes. Continue reading Protect yourself against frozen pipes this winter

Keep your pipes free from fat Not everything that goes down the drain makes it all the way to the wastewater treatment plant. Fats, oils and grease poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet can stick to your home’s sewer pipes and lead to costly blockages. Ever heard of a fatberg? Just like a steady diet of greasy food can clog your arteries, grease flushed down drains can block pipes. Over time, grease can build up and eventually block an entire pipe, a phenomenon now called fatbergs. These fatbergs block proper drainage, causing sewage and water to surge up through sinks, floor drains and toilets. Overflows from blockages can damage homes, and threaten your health and the environment. Myth-busting facts about grease disposal Myth: It’s… Continue reading Don’t pour that turkey fat down the drain!

Current suspension of enforcement continues during procedure development Guelph, Ont., September, 11, 2018–Last night, Guelph City Council approved the development of a new procedure to allow groups of residents to apply for temporary enforcement suspensions of driveway width infractions in their neighbourhood. “While the procedure is developed, the City will continue to enforce Zoning Bylaw (1995) – 14864 regulations related to driveway widths and issue notifications of illegal driveways, but we won’t issue charges for residential homes classified as semi-detached/duplex and on-street townhouses,” says Rob Reynen, chief building official for the City. “The specific restrictions and conditions for suspended enforcement, including the additional criteria defined by Council, are now posted in detail on the City’s website.” Procedure development The procedure for temporary driveway enforcement suspensions… Continue reading City to develop application for temporary driveway enforcement suspensions

On September 10, 2018, Council approved the development of a new procedure that would allow groups of residents in a defined area to request temporary enforcement suspensions of driveway width infractions until the comprehensive Zoning Bylaw review is complete. Details on the enforcement suspension The City will not lay charges for the following parking in residential zone regulations of the Zoning Bylaw (1995) – 14864 for homes classified as R.2 Residential semi-detached/duplex and R.3B On-street townhouse, provided driveways meet the additional criteria set by Council (see list below regulations): 4.13.7.2.3 A Driveway (Residential) in an R.2 Zone shall have a maximum driveway width of 3.5 metres. 4.13.7.2.4 Despite Section 4.13.7.2.3, a surfaced walk within 1.5 metres of the nearest foundation wall is permitted providing that… Continue reading Information about the driveway width enforcement suspension

City invites community to have their say on Leash Free Policy by August 27, 2018, Continue reading Have your say on the future of leash free dog facilities

Guelph, Ont., April 25, 2018–Are you planning to start a renovation project or build a deck, this spring? Not sure if you need a building permit, or why a building permit is important? Ask us—we’ll be at your local home improvement store at the following dates and times. Saturday, April 28 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Home Hardware, 575 Wellington Street West, Guelph Saturday, May 12 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rona, 55 Dawson Road, Guelph For more information Laurie Belanger, Technical Lead, Residential Inspections Building Services 519-837-5615 extension 2234 laurie.belanger@guelph.ca  

Guelph, Ont., January 25, 2018 – The City of Guelph has introduced  a single-application process for residents who are applying for a subsidy program like the Affordable Buss Pass, Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) and animal licensing. “This new process makes it much easier for our residents when filling out the paperwork,” says Alex Goss, manager of Community Investment. “The one application saves time and reduces the need for our residents to share sensitive information over and over again.” Residents can apply for the City’s subsidy programs online at guelph.ca under the How can we help you? tab. Residents can also download the application, fill it out and return it to Service Guelph at City Hall, the West End Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre,… Continue reading City improves application process for subsidy programs

Guelph, Ont., January 3, 2018 – The Guelph Fire Department is asking residents to take extra care this winter when using fireplaces or space heaters to heat their home. As the number of residents using extra sources to supplement their heating increases so does the risk of a fire. “Half of all home heating fires are reported during just three months out of the year: December, January and February,” says Matt Valeriote, assistant chief fire prevention officer with the Guelph Fire Department. You can do your part in reducing the number of heating-related fires by following these tips for safe home heating: Fireplaces (gas and wood burning) Install wood burning and gas fireplaces following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation Make… Continue reading Guelph Fire asks residents to take care with fireplaces and space heaters

Eastview Road has reopened to through traffic after four months of construction. The completed construction between Starwood Road and Watson Parkway North offers a number of new amenities for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and even wildlife, including some changes which cannot be seen. Continue reading Eastview Road features multi-use path and wildlife crossings

If you’re renting a home or apartment in Guelph, you can request a free safety inspection of your rental unit from the City. Renters in Guelph don’t always know if their rental unit meets minimum safety standards and the City is here to help. Free inspections can be especially useful if you’re moving into a new unit or if you’re unsure of the condition of the unit you’re renting now. To arrange your free safety inspection email tenantsafety@guelph.ca or call 519-837-5615 extension 1. Inspections take about 15 minutes and can be scheduled Monday to Friday from 9–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m. City inspectors check rental units to identify safety concerns related to Ontario building and fire code regulations. Safe rental units have: working smoke alarms… Continue reading Book a free inspection of your rental unit

Guelph is the most attractive city for real estate investment value in Canada, according to MoneySense’s 2017 Where to Buy Now list. Continue reading Guelph ranked best place to buy real estate in Canada

Guelph, Ont., November 25, 2016 – City staff will present the proposed new animal control bylaw at the December 5 Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposed bylaw would replace four animal control bylaws that currently regulate poultry, and domestic and exotic animals in Guelph. “To better serve the community, we have taken the four bylaws and amendments that address animal control issues in Guelph and developed a single bylaw,” says Doug Godfrey, general manager of Operations. The City, with the assistance of the Animal Control Working Group (ACWG), comprised of community members, agency representatives, and City employees, spent three years reviewing and consolidating the existing animal control bylaws and considering community feedback. In 2015, 81 people submitted written feedback at four public meetings and… Continue reading City releases proposed new animal control bylaw

The City of Guelph and its consultant, AECOM, are exploring options for stormwater service fee credits. Credits would provide property owners with opportunities to reduce stormwater runoff on private property for a credit towards the stormwater service fee they pay. A stormwater service fee credit program would also recognize the efforts Guelph property owners are already making to reduce stormwater runoff and the pollutants that flow with it. Stormwater credit study open house The City held the first open house for the stormwater service fee credit program study on November 17, 2016. The open house provided an opportunity to learn about stormwater management, the stormwater service fee that begins January 1, 2017, and what a credit or incentive program might look like. Stormwater credit study open house presentation [PDF 787kB]… Continue reading Information from the stormwater service fee credit program study open house, November 17, 2016

Guelph, Ont., August 31, 2016 – The City of Guelph, in partnership with the University of Guelph Off-Campus Living office, is carrying out a tenant safety initiative during the month of September. “We encourage all tenants in Guelph to book a free safety inspection of their rental unit,” explains Bill Bond, a Building Services inspector at the City. “Tenants often don’t know if their rental unit meets minimum safety standards and we’re here to help.” This is the second year the City is running this successful program. Last year’s one week blitz, held in October, resulted in 29 inspections and the identification of more than 30 safety concerns within rental units. To arrange a free safety inspection of a rental unit, email tenantsafety@guelph.ca or call… Continue reading Guelph tenant safety initiative starts September 1

The City of Guelph and Guelph Humane Society are reminding trail users to be vigilant following coyote sightings along the Niska Trail in Guelph’s west end. In two separate incidents this month, a coyote has been stalking people and dogs. In the first incident, a coyote attacked a dog while the owner was hiking on the trail. In the second incident, the Ontario Provincial Police reported that a coyote had attempted to attack a hiker walking two dogs. It is not known if the same coyote was involved in both incidents. Continue reading Coyote sightings along popular Guelph trail

Guelph, Ont., March 23, 2016—Guelph City Council approved a staff recommendation for a dedicated stormwater user fee by a vote of 11 to 2 at Monday night’s Council meeting. The introduction of a user fee is a shift from funding Guelph’s stormwater management system through property taxes. The fee model proposed was selected to provide a balance between fairness, equity and ease of administration. The recommendation from staff was made following more than two years of study and community consultation. “Like many other municipalities, Guelph is faced with the problem of aging infrastructure and our stormwater management system needs upgrades, especially as we face more severe storm events,”  said Arun Hindupur, Infrastructure Planning Engineer for the City. “Many cities, including Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Waterloo and… Continue reading Council approves user fees to fund stormwater management

City releases analysis of resident feedback on animal control bylaw recommendations Guelph, Ont., March 22, 2016 – Today, the City released an analysis of resident feedback on proposed recommendations for a new animal control bylaw. The report, prepared by Sage Solutions, summarizes the feedback received from residents and is intended to inform the work of the Animal Control Bylaw Working Group (ACWG)—comprised of community members, agency representatives, and City employees. Eighty-one people submitted written feedback at the four public meetings held last November and 2,100 distinct online survey responses were received between November 27 and December 31, which focused on animal licensing, animals in public spaces, exotic animals, and limits on animals. One highlight from the results was overwhelming support for the establishment of a… Continue reading Community supports setting a standard of care for animals

City encourages residents to prepare for winter Guelph, ON, November 24, 2015—City Council approved a policy for frozen water pipes at last night’s Council meeting. The Frozen Water Pipe Policy was developed by staff following last winter’s unforeseen issues with frozen pipes when 376 customers were affected. In a typical year, less than twenty customers are affected by this issue. “The new policy identifies the response actions and  service the City will provide for customers with frozen pipes,” said Wayne Galliher, Manager of Technical Services. “Last winter we quickly developed and continued to adjust support resources in response to the record numbers of frozen water pipe reports we received. We have improved, clarified and formalized the support options through the policy, which will form our… Continue reading Council approves Frozen Water Pipe Policy

Preventing damage caused by invasive insects The City monitors both termite and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) populations. Guelph’s insect control programs vary due to key differences between the two species, and the different objectives for each program. Termites can do more damage than EAB Termites attack houses and other wooden structures, while EAB attacks one species of tree. While we are working to minimize the damage to Guelph’s urban forest, the potential for damage caused by EAB is not as detrimental as that of termites. Left unchecked, a termite population could have a significant impact on the overall infrastructure in Guelph. Dealing with termites: control the spread Guelph seeks to prevent the spread of termites and control their population, perhaps eliminate them altogether. Termites move… Continue reading How Guelph deals with termites and Emerald Ash Borer

Giant Hogweed is an invasive biennial or perennial plant. It reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet (three to four metres) when in flower and has hollow stems, two to four inches (five–ten centimetres) in diameter with dark reddish-purple spots and bristles. Continue reading Invasive plant species