About Us

Development Services is a customer-service focused department comprised of two main divisions: Building and Community Planning

Building

The Building Division assists developers, contractors, and the general public interested in obtaining a building permit. Prior to granting approval, the plans examiner reviews plans submitted for Ontario Building Code & Municipal Zoning compliances.

It is recommended that applicants first investigate what will be required by them in order to obtain a building permit. Most permits require building plans and a site plan; however, some may also require a copy of your deed, proof of entrance approval, conservation authority approval, septic or water and sewer approval and/or payment of development fees.

Community Planning

The Community Planning Division provides planning, long range and land use functions for the Municipality of Lakeshore. This Division also oversees Lakeshore's GIS (Geographic Information System) team, which provides a wide range of mapping services to staff and the public.

Infrastructure Services includes the following divisions: Engineering and Infrastructure, Capital Projects, Drainage, Public Works, Utilities and Energy Management, and Water Management.  

These divisions are responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of Lakeshore's infrastructure systems including water, municipal drains, storm sewers, sanitary sewers and roads.

Capital Projects

The Capital Projects Division manages municipal infrastructure projects and serves as the point of contact for external consulting projects and internal lifecycle projects. This Division supports Infrastructure Services with the development, prioritization, and updating of multi‐year capital infrastructure and planning projects.

Drainage

The Municipality of Lakeshore is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and expansion of its municipal drains

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• Tile Loans

Engineering & Infrastructure Services

The Engineering and Infrastructure Division reviews and inspects all development proposals, site plans, and other planning applications to ensure compliance with the Municipal’s Development Standards. Staff provide engineering technical support, review, and coordinate comments from various divisions on all planning applications. This division also assists with the updating of the Municipal’s infrastructure asset inventory and ensuring that the material is available for use by staff.

Public Works

Public Works is responsible for the operations and maintenance of municipal infrastructure systems, including roads, storm sewers, bridges and culverts, signs, sidewalks, safety devices, and streetlights, as well as fleet management.

This division also oversees driveway inspections as well as contracted solid waste (garbage) collection services.

The Corporate Services Department is comprised of four divisions. One deals with the billing and collecting of revenues, one with the payment of bills, payroll and the provision of financial information for the benefit of other departments, along with the public and the other is information technology.

Human Resources

This division is responsible for:

• Personnel matters
• Employee records
• Employee benefits
• Administration and monitoring of union contracts
• Salary administration
• Employee recruitment
• Health and Safety
• Employee training

Accounting

Services include accounts payable, payroll, cash management, investments, grant claims and general ledger account reconciliations and balancing. Financial statement preparation, along with Ministry reporting, is an annual requirement. There are currently 4 full time staff members assigned to this section.

Finance, with input from the various other departments, is responsible for annual budgeting and planning to ensure that the financial resources are available for the provision of necessary services, now and in the long term. Information and input are provided to all departments for business plans, development related projects and the financial impact on council reports.

Financial Planning and Analysis

Services include development and maintenance of the Municipality's asset inventory, asset management program and managing the supporting business processes.  This includes management of related technology and datasets and providing financial analysis and financial policy support for the Municipality.

Revenue

This includes the preparation and collection of all property tax bills, which are issued twice a year as well as water and wastewater bills issued bi-monthly. Invoices for recoverable costs such as arena usage, drainage maintenance and developer services are billed monthly to assist with cash flow and ensure costs are recovered on a timely basis.

Legal and Legislative Affairs oversees Legislative Services (Clerk) and By-law Compliance, contracted Police services. The department also serves as Lakeshore's legal counsel.

Legislative Services (Municipal Clerk)

 This division is responsible for 

• Elections
• Risk Management
• Freedom of Information
• Council and Committee Support
• Legal Services
• By-laws
• Record Retention
• Lottery Licensing
• Vital Statistics, i.e. Marriage licences

By-law Compliance

By-laws are created as a way to address issues and concerns of the community. They are created to protect the environment, public health, safety and to maintain a pleasant community for everyone. This team also manages the Lakeshore Dog Pound and contracted Crossing Guard services.

Complaints regarding suspected By-law infractions can be reported to our By-law Compliance Team, by calling 519-728-2700 or visiting the By-law Compliance desk located at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre.

This department oversees Recreation, Parks & Facilities, and the Lakeshore Fire Department.

Fire Services

The Fire Services Division provides fire suppression, inspection and education services to the residents of Lakeshore.

Comprised of 5 stations, the department is made up of some 100 volunteer firefighters. Direction is provided by 5 full time administration officers and clerical support staff.

The department also provides medical support to the Land Ambulance Service through a tiered response agreement. With 40 kilometres of 401 highway dividing Lakeshore, the department also provides emergency services to that portion of the 400 series highway.