Fire Code Violations Complaint Process

The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department is mandated to respond to complaints about fire safety concerns by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. It is our Policy to respond to these complaints within two (2) business days. Fire Prevention Inspectors with the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department can only enforce violations found under the Ontario Fire Code. These violations would include items such as maintenance of fire safety systems, smoke alarms, blocked exits, breaches in fire separations or missing fire separations, missing or broken fire doors, severe electrical problems, improperly used or stored flammable liquids or gases, unsafe accumulation of combustible materials etc. If in doubt, please contact us for clarification at (705) 789-5201.

When filing your complaint on the attached form please keep this in mind:

• Provide the address of the complaint and any contact information you may have for the owner. While we may have access to Town records for the owners mailing address, it does not provide phone numbers or other contact information.
• We do not accept anonymous complaints, it is required that you provide contact information for yourself. Our Inspectors may need to contact you for more specific information or for access into the building. The identity of the complainant will be not be released.
• If you have a concern about the building that you are living in, please contact us right away. Do not wait until landlord/tenant issues arise. Your safety is our main concern.
• We will not be able to provide you with a letter or copy of the Fire Safety Inspection Report issued to the owner. This information can only be shared with the registered owner of the property.
• If you have issues with the building condition such as broken windows, appliances or services (water, gas, etc) that don't work, leaking roofs etc, those will be addressed through the Town of Huntsville Building Department – Property Standards. Property standards complaints can be forwarded to the Town Hall Customer Service Department at 705-789-1751.
• As Assistants to the Fire Marshal of Ontario, Fire Inspectors have the right of entry at any reasonable time without warrant for the purpose of inspection. We are not bound by the Landlord Tenant Act requirement of advance notice to enter. While we may make every effort to provide notice, it may not always be possible. Unless we require specific assistance, the property owner or manager will not enter with us, but will only allow us access.
• In most cases, the property owner will be given a reasonable amount of time to comply with any orders. Any issues that affect immediate life safety will need to be addressed immediately i.e.: lack of working smoke alarms, fire alarm or sprinkler systems not functioning, exits blocked etc.

Please note: Intentionally disabling a smoke alarm is an offence under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. The property owner may have signed documentation from you that a working smoke alarm was installed when you moved into the home. If the smoke alarm has been disabled or intentionally damaged, you may be held accountable.

The attached complaint form may be submitted by fax at 705-787-0306 or via email to the Fire Inspector.

If a complaint is received after business hours, your complaint will be dealt with on the next business day.