Guide
Leashes, smoking setbacks, fires and barbecues, alcohol, picnic permits and the penalty.
A dog in an Oakville park must be on a leash no longer than 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches), except inside a posted leash-free zone. Alcohol is prohibited unless Council has approved the occasion. Fires and barbecues are allowed only in the pits or barbecues the Town provides. Smoking, cannabis and e-cigarettes are banned within 20 metres of a playground, splash pad or sports area, signs or no signs.
No longer than two metres (6 feet 6 inches). The by-law requires the owner, or whoever is responsible for a dog or cat, to keep the animal led on a leash or chain of that length in any park.
The same clause covers cats, not only dogs.
Only inside an enclosed, fenced area the Town has posted with signs designating it a leash-free zone. Everywhere else in a park the two-metre leash rule applies.
The exemption does not apply to a dog that is subject to its own specific leash requirements, for example under an order made about that animal.
No closer than 20 metres. The by-law prohibits smoking tobacco or cannabis, or using an electronic cigarette, within twenty metres of a playground, splash pad, basketball court, tennis court, sports field or any sporting area, a spectator area beside one, an area primarily used for children's recreation, or any other place where children tend to congregate.
This 20-metre rule applies whether or not any sign is posted. Separately, smoking is prohibited in any park area where signs do prohibit it.
Yes. The by-law defines smoking to include carrying, holding, inhaling or exhaling lighted cannabis, medical or recreational, a lighted cigar, cigarette, water pipe, pipe, electronic cigarette or any other lighted smoking equipment.
Only in the fire pits, barbecues or other places the Town has specifically provided for that purpose. Lighting, making or using a fire or barbecue anywhere else in a park is prohibited.
No. Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs into any park is prohibited. Alcohol is permitted only for special occasions approved by Council and in compliance with the legislation governing alcohol.
If more than 25 people are involved, yes — the person conducting the picnic must obtain a permit from the Town. A picnic of any size has to be held in an area the Director has designated for picnics.
No. Golf, rugby, soccer, tennis and any other game involving projecting an object through the air, archery among them, are confined to areas the Director has designated and where the Town has installed facilities for that purpose.
A penalty notice carries an administrative penalty of $300, or the amount set in the Town's rates and fees schedule if that has been revised.
A further penalty notice may follow for a repeat contravention; the schedule in force governs the amount.
Every park the Town owns or controls. The Town's own parks pages list the amenities at each one; the rules above come from the by-law and apply across all of them.
Town of Oakville
By-law 2013-013, parks, consolidated to 28 February 2025Town of Oakville
Parks By-law