Municipal Act, 2001, S. O. 2001, c

PART III
SPECIFIC MUNICIPAL POWERS

Highways

Definitions

24.  In sections 25 to 68,

“bridge” means a public bridge forming part of a highway or on, over or across which a highway passes; (“pont”)

“provincial highway” means a highway under the jurisdiction of the Province of Ontario. (“voie publique provinciale”) 2001, c. 25, s. 24.

Provincial highways

25.  Except as otherwise provided in this Act, sections 26 to 68 do not apply to a provincial highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 25.

What constitutes highway

26.  The following are highways unless they have been closed:

1. All highways that existed on December 31, 2002.

2. All highways established by by-law of a municipality on or after January 1, 2003.

3. All highways transferred to a municipality under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.

4. All road allowances made by the Crown surveyors that are located in municipalities.

5. All road allowances, highways, streets and lanes shown on a registered plan of subdivision. 2001, c. 25, s. 26.

By-laws

27.  (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a municipality may pass by-laws in respect of a highway only if it has jurisdiction over the highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 27 (1).

Joint jurisdiction

(2)  If a highway is under the joint jurisdiction of two or more municipalities, a by-law in respect of the highway must be passed by all of the municipalities having jurisdiction over the highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 27 (2).

Jurisdiction

28.  (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this Act or under section 8 of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act or in a by-law passed under this Act, a municipality has jurisdiction or joint jurisdiction, as the case may be, over the following highways:

1. All highways over which it had jurisdiction or joint jurisdiction on December 31, 2002.

2. All highways established by by-law of the municipality on or after January 1, 2003.

3. All highways transferred to the municipality under this Act, the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act or any other Act. 2001, c. 25, s. 28 (1).

Local municipalities

(2)  Except as otherwise provided in this Act or under section 8 of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, a local municipality has jurisdiction over,

(a) all road allowances located in the municipality that were made by the Crown surveyors; and

(b) all road allowances, highways, streets and lanes shown on a registered plan of subdivision. 2001, c. 25, s. 28 (2).

Boundary lines

29.  (1)  Subject to section 28 and to a by-law passed under section 52, the local municipalities on either side of a boundary line between municipalities have joint jurisdiction over any highways forming the boundary line. 2001, c. 25, s. 29 (1).

Joint jurisdiction, bridges

(2)  Subject to section 28 and to a by-law passed under section 52, if a bridge joins a highway under the jurisdiction of any municipality to a highway under the jurisdiction of another municipality, the bridge is under the joint jurisdiction of the municipalities. 2001, c. 25, s. 29 (2).

Deviation of boundary lines

(3)  If, because of physical difficulties or obstructions, a highway does not follow a boundary line throughout but deviates so that parts of it lie wholly within one of the boundary municipalities, the highway shall be deemed to be the boundary line between the two municipalities for the purposes of determining jurisdiction over the highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 29 (3).

(4), (5)  Repealed: 2002, c. 17, Sched. A, s. 8.

Agreement

29.1  (1)  If municipalities having joint jurisdiction over a boundary line highway enter into an agreement under which each municipality agrees to keep any part of the highway in repair for its whole width and to indemnify the other municipality from any loss or damage arising from the lack of repair for that part, the agreement and a copy of the by-law authorizing the agreement may be registered in the proper land registry office for the area in which the highway is located. 2002, c. 17, Sched. A, s. 9.

Effect

(2)  If municipalities enter into an agreement under subsection (1), each municipality has jurisdiction over that part of the highway that it has agreed to keep in repair and is liable for any damages that arise from failure to keep the highway in repair and the other municipality is relieved from all liability in respect of the repair of that part. 2002, c. 17, Sched. A, s. 9.

Ownership

30.  A highway is owned by the municipality that has jurisdiction over it subject to any rights reserved by a person who dedicated the highway or any interest in the land held by any other person. 2001, c. 25, s. 30.

Establishing highways

31.  (1)  A municipality may by by-law establish a highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (1).

By-law necessary

(2)  After January 1, 2003, land may only become a highway by virtue of a by-law passed under subsection (1) and not by the activities of the municipality or any other person in relation to the land, including the spending of public money. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (2).

Certain highways not affected

(3)  Subsection (2) does not apply to highways described in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of section 26. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (3).

Exclusion

(4)  A municipality may by by-law assume the following highways for public use and section 44 does not apply to the highways until the municipality has passed the by-law:

1. An unopened road allowance made by the Crown surveyors.

2. A road allowance, highway, street or lane shown on a registered plan of subdivision. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (4).

Other exclusions

(5)  Section 44 does not apply to a highway laid out or built by any person before January 1, 2003 unless it was assumed for public use by the municipality or it has been established by by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (5).

Widening highways

(6)  If a municipality acquires land for the purpose of widening a highway, the land acquired forms part of the highway to the extent of the designated widening. 2001, c. 25, s. 31 (6).

Unorganized territory

32.  Despite section 19, a municipality may by by-law establish a highway in adjoining unorganized territory. 2001, c. 25, s. 32.

Repeal

33.  A by-law establishing a highway or assuming a highway for public use may only be repealed by a closing by-law under section 34. 2001, c. 25, s. 33.

Highway closing procedures

34.  (1)  Before passing a by-law for permanently closing a highway, a municipality shall give public notice of its intention to pass the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (1).

Alteration of highways

(2)  Before passing a by-law for permanently altering a highway, if the alteration is likely to deprive any person of the sole means of motor vehicle access to and from the person’s land over any highway, a municipality shall give public notice of its intention to pass the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (2).

Includes all highways

(3)  In subsections (2) and (7), “over any highway”, in relation to motor vehicle access, means over an upper-tier highway, a lower-tier highway, a single-tier highway or a provincial highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (3).

Variations

(4)  The manner in which notice is given under subsections (1) and (2) may be different for different classes of closings and alterations and for different classes of highways. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (4).

Registration

(5)  A by-law permanently closing a highway does not take effect until a certified copy of the by-law is registered in the proper land registry office. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (5).

Consent

(6)  A by-law permanently closing a highway shall not be passed without the consent of the Government of Canada if the highway,

(a) abuts on land, including land covered by water, owned by the Crown in right of Canada; or

(b) leads to or abuts on a bridge, wharf, dock, quay or other work owned by the Crown in right of Canada. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (6).

Right of access protected

(7)  A by-law permanently closing or altering a highway is not valid if it would result in a person having no motor vehicle access to and from the person’s land over any highway, unless the person agrees to the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (7).

Where no agreement

(8)  Despite subsection (7), if a person fails to agree to a by-law under that subsection within 30 days after public notice is given of the municipality’s intention to pass the by-law, the municipality may apply to the Ontario Municipal Board and the Board, after hearing the parties, may confirm, vary or rescind the by-law and may impose limitations and conditions respecting the closing or altering of the highway, which may include the payment of compensation to the owner and the provision of an alternate means of access to the land. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (8).

Conditions to be met

(9)  If the Board imposes limitations or conditions on the closing or altering of a highway, the by-law closing or altering the highway is not valid unless the limitations and conditions are met. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (9).

No petition

(10)  Section 95 of the Ontario Municipal Board Act does not apply to a decision of the Board under this section. 2001, c. 25, s. 34 (10).

Removing and restricting common law right of passage

35.  Except as otherwise provided in this Act, under the sphere of jurisdiction “Highways, including parking and traffic on highways”, a municipality may pass by-laws removing or restricting the common law right of passage by the public over a highway and the common law right of access to the highway by an owner of land abutting a highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 35.

Controlled-access highways

36.  (1)  Despite section 35, if a private road, entrance, gate or other structure provides the sole means of motor vehicle access to and from a person’s land over any highway, a municipality may only prohibit the construction or use of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure as a means of access to a highway if the municipality has passed a by-law designating the highway as a controlled-access highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 36 (1).

Includes all highways

(2)  In subsection (1), “over any highway”, in relation to motor vehicle access, means over an upper-tier highway, a lower-tier highway, a single-tier highway or a provincial highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 36 (2).

Notice

(3)  Before passing a by-law designating a highway as a controlled-access highway and prohibiting the construction or use of a private road, entrance, gate or other structure as a means of access to the highway, a municipality shall,

(a) give notice of its intention to pass the by-law to the public and to the owner of any land abutting the highway; and

(b) serve the notice under clause (a) on the owner of the land personally or by prepaid registered mail to the last known address of the owner. 2001, c. 25, s. 36 (3).

Deemed receipt

(4)  Notice served by prepaid registered mail shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day following the mailing of the notice. 2001, c. 25, s. 36 (4).

Scope of by-law

(5)  A municipal by-law designating a highway as a controlled-access highway and prohibiting the construction or use of a private road, entrance, gate or other structure as a means of access to the highway or regulating the construction or use of a private road, entrance, gate or other structure as a means of access to the highway may apply to a road, entrance, gate or other structure constructed or used as a means of access to the highway before or after the passing of the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 36 (5).

Closing of private roads

37.  (1)  If a municipality requires the owner of any land to permanently close up any private road, entrance, gate or other structure that is constructed or is being used as a means of access to a controlled-access highway or other highway in contravention of a by-law, it shall give notice to the owner of the land personally or by prepaid registered mail to the last known address of the owner. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (1).

Service of notice

(2)  Notice by prepaid registered mail shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day following the mailing of the notice. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (2).

Failure to comply with notice

(3)  If the person to whom notice is given under subsection (1) fails to comply with the notice within 30 days after its receipt, the municipality may, at any reasonable time, enter upon the land and do whatever is necessary to close up the private road, entrance, gate or other structure as required by the notice at the expense of the owner. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (3).

Deeming provision

(4)  Notice under subsection (1) shall be deemed to be sufficient notice for the purpose of clause 431 (a). 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (4).

Municipality not required to restore land or pay compensation

(5)  Clause 431 (c) does not require the work done under this section to be undone and clause 431 (d) does not require the municipality to provide compensation as a result of doing the work. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (5).

Recovery of costs

(6)  The municipality may recover the costs incurred by the municipality under subsection (3) from the owner by action or by adding the costs to the tax roll and collecting them in the same manner as taxes. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (6).

Offence

(7)  A municipality may pass a by-law providing that a person who fails to comply with a notice given under subsection (1) is guilty of an offence. 2001, c. 25, s. 37 (7).

Permanently closing existing private roads, etc.

38.  (1)  Despite section 35, a by-law requiring the owner of any land to permanently close up a private road, entrance, gate or other structure legally constructed or legally being used as the sole means of motor vehicle access to and from the person’s land over any highway on the date of the passing of the by-law imposing that requirement is not valid unless the person agrees to the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (1).

Includes all highways

(2)  In subsection (1), “over any highway”, in relation to motor vehicle access, means over an upper-tier highway, a lower-tier highway, a single-tier highway or a provincial highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (2).

Application to O.M.B. where no agreement

(3)  Despite subsection (1), if an owner of land fails to agree to permanently close up a private road, entrance, gate or other structure legally constructed or legally being used as a means of access to a highway on the date of the passing of the by-law imposing that requirement within 30 days after receipt of the notice under subsection 37 (1), the municipality may apply to the Ontario Municipal Board for approval of the closing up of the road, entrance, gate or other structure. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (3).

Restriction

(4)  Subsections 37 (3) to (7) do not apply in respect of the failure to comply with the notice under subsection 37 (1) unless the Board approves the closing up of the road, entrance, gate or structure. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (4).

Powers of O.M.B.

(5)  The Board may refuse or grant its approval to the closing up of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure or part of it and may impose limitations and conditions on the municipality or the owner of the land respecting the closing of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure which may include the payment of compensation to the owner and the provision of an alternate means of access to the land. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (5).

Conditions

(6)  If the Board imposes limitations or conditions on the closing of a private road, entrance, gate or other structure, that part of the by-law requiring the closing is not valid unless the limitations and conditions are met. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (6).

Specific property

(7)  In subsection (6), “part of the by-law” refers only to the provisions in the by-law that relate to the specific private road, entrance, gate or other structure that is the subject matter of the appeal. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (7).

No petition

(8)  Section 95 of the Ontario Municipal Board Act does not apply to a decision of the Board under this section. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (8).

Failure to comply

(9)  If the Board grants approval to the closing up of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure and the owner fails to comply with the order of the Board within the time period specified in the order, or if no time period is specified, within 30 days after the order is made, the municipality may, at any reasonable time, enter upon the land and do whatever is necessary to close up the private road, entrance, gate or other structure as required by the order at the expense of the owner. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (9).

Municipality not required to restore land or pay compensation

(10)  Clause 431 (c) does not require the work done under this section to be undone and clause 431 (d) does not require the municipality to provide compensation as a result of doing the work. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (10).

Recovery of costs

(11)  The municipality may recover the costs incurred by the municipality under subsection (9) from the owner by action, by deducting the costs from any compensation to be paid to the owner by the municipality under the Board’s order or in the same manner as taxes. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (11).

Offence

(12)  A municipality may pass a by-law to provide that a person who fails to comply with an order of the Board within the time period specified under subsection (9) is guilty of an offence. 2001, c. 25, s. 38 (12).

Appeal

39.  (1)  Subject to subsection (2), if an owner of land abutting a highway designated as a controlled-access highway applies to the municipality having jurisdiction over the highway for a licence or permit or other approval to construct or use a private road, entrance, gate or other structure as a means of access to the highway, the owner may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board,

(a) if the municipality refuses the licence, permit or other approval, within 30 days after the refusal;

(b) if the municipality fails to make a decision on the application, within 45 days after the application is received by the clerk; or

(c) if the applicant objects to a condition or limitation on the licence, permit or other approval, within 30 days after the licence, permit or approval is given. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (1).

Condition for appeal

(2)  Subsection (1) applies to an owner only if the failure by the municipality to grant the licence, permit or other approval would result in that person having no motor vehicle access to and from the person’s land over any highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (2).

Includes all highways

(3)  In subsection (2), “over any highway”, in relation to motor vehicle access, means over an upper-tier highway, a lower-tier highway, a single-tier highway or a provincial highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (3).

Order

(4)  The Board may impose limitations and conditions on the municipality or the owner of the land respecting the construction and use of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure or respecting the refusal by the municipality, which may include the payment of compensation to the owner and the provision of an alternate means of access to the land. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (4).

Conditions to be met

(5)  If the Board imposes limitations or conditions on the municipality or the owner of the land respecting the construction or use, or both, of a private road, entrance, gate or other structure or respecting the refusal by the municipality, that part of the by-law permitting or refusing the construction or use, or both, of the private road, entrance, gate or other structure is not valid unless the limitations and conditions are met. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (5).

Specific property

(6)  In subsection (5), “part of the by-law” refers only to the provisions in the by-law that relate to the specific private road, entrance, gate or other structure that is the subject matter of the appeal. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (6).

No petition

(7)  Section 95 of the Ontario Municipal Board Act does not apply to a decision of the Board under this section. 2001, c. 25, s. 39 (7).

Toll highways

40.  (1)  Subject to sections 36 to 39, a municipality may,

(a) designate a highway as a toll highway; and

(b) operate and maintain the designated highway as a toll highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 40 (1).

Restriction

(2)  Despite subsection (1) and section 35, a municipality does not have the power to designate, operate and maintain a highway as a toll highway until a regulation is made under this section that applies to the proposed toll highway. 2001, c. 25, s. 40 (2).

Regulations

(3)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations providing for any matters which, in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, are necessary or desirable for the purposes of this section, including,

(a) requiring a municipality to obtain the approval of any person or body before designating, operating or maintaining a highway as a toll highway;

(b) providing for criteria which must be met before a municipality can designate, operate or maintain a highway as a toll highway;

(c) imposing conditions and limitations on the powers of the municipality to designate, operate or maintain a highway as a toll highway;

(d) granting municipalities powers with respect to the operation and maintenance of a toll highway, including powers with respect to the collection and enforcement of tolls imposed for the use of a toll highway;

(e) without limiting clause (d), providing that the provisions of the Capital Investment Plan Act, 1993 and the regulations under that Act which relate to toll highways apply to municipalities with such changes as are prescribed;

(f) establishing process requirements with respect to the designation, operation and maintenance of a highway as a toll highway, including requiring a municipality to provide notice to the Minister or any other person or body of its intention to designate a highway as a toll highway;

(g) providing that the Minister or any other person or body who receives notice under clause (f) may prohibit the municipality from making the designation even though the designation is otherwise authorized under the regulation. 2001, c. 25, s. 40 (3).

Conflicts

(4)  In the event of a conflict between a regulation under this section and a provision of any Act or regulation, the regulation under this section prevails. 2001, c. 25, s. 40 (4).

Prohibiting motor vehicles on highway

41.  If a municipality passes a by-law permanently prohibiting all motor vehicle traffic from using a highway for its whole width, subsections 34 (1) to (4) and (7) to (10) apply to the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 41.