We know that navigating municipal services can sometimes raise questions, whether you're a long-time resident, a new neighbour, or considering a move to Wellington North. This FAQ page is designed to provide quick, clear answers to the most common inquiries we receive. From waste collection and wildlife concerns to recreation programs and property taxes, we’ve gathered the essentials in one place to help you find what you need, when you need it.
While community social media groups can be helpful for sharing experiences, they may not always reflect the most current or complete information. We encourage residents to turn to the Township’s official website and communication channels for the most reliable updates.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out, we’re always happy to help. 519-848-3620 or township@wellington-north.com
In Wellington North, recreational campfires are permitted in urban areas with the following regulations:
- Fires must not exceed 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter or height.
- Fires must be at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from any building, structure, or combustible material.
- A campfire must be supervised from the time it is set until the time it is completely extinguished.
- A suitable means of extinguishment, such as a hose, must be available while the fire is burning.
If you are in a rural area and are planning an open air burn, you will require a burn permit. Open air burns are not permitted in urban areas.
There are two meetings of Council each month - one at 2:00 p.m. and the other at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and can be attended either in person or virtually via Zoom. The Zoom link is shared through the website, meeting agenda, and social media channels.
No, as of November 4, 2024, the Township of Wellington North Council has discontinued the requirement for dog licensing indefinitely.
However, dog owners are still responsible for ensuring their pets are identifiable, through a personalized tag or collar, or other easily recognized means.
Please note: Stray dogs will continue to be collected and impounded. Owners will be required to pay any associated pickup and impoundment fees.
Fire, Police or Ambulance-related emergency: Call 911
Non-Emergency Incidents
non-urgent fire related incidents: Call 519-323-1444
Non-urgent incidents requiring police: Call 1-888-310-1122Wellington North Fire Service
The Wellington North Fire Service (WNFS) is a volunteer fire service serving the Township of Wellington North.
WNFS operates two fire stations with approximately 50 volunteer firefighters:
- Arthur Fire Station 103 Smith Street, Arthur
- Mount Forest Fire Station 381 Main Street North, Mount Forest
Wellington North does not have a by-law regulating fences, except in the case of pool enclosures. This means there are no municipal restrictions on the structure or materials of your private fence unless it is intended to enclose a pool.
However, please keep the following in mind:
- You must ensure the fence is built on your property line and does not encroach on your neighbour’s land.
- If you are hoping to share the cost of the fence with your neighbour under the Line Fences Act, please be aware that Wellington North does not participate in the Line Fences Act process (By-Law 078-21). You will need to make private arrangements with your neighbour before any construction begins.
- The Township does not store property surveys. For information on surveys, you will need to contact your lawyer, your mortgage company, or a licensed surveyor to obtain a survey for you.
- OnLand, Ontario Land Registry Office, does not store surveys either – but they may have a reference plan for your property. A reference plan is a legally registered document that shows the boundaries and dimensions of a property, the location of easements or rights-of-way, adjacent lots or road allowances, and includes a surveyor’s certification. While it doesn’t show buildings or fence lines like a full survey, it provides the legal layout of the land and is often used in real estate transactions, severances, or to clarify property limits.
- If you are building an enclosure for a pool, you will need a building permit. You will need to refer to the Swimming Pool and Fencing By-Law and apply for a building permit online or reach out to the building department at building@wellington-north.com
Garbage, Landfill Sites, Organics, and Yard Waste: The curbside collection and landfill sites are managed by the County of Wellington. For all related inquiries or concerns, including missed collections or where to purchase garbage bags, please visit the Garbage and Recycling page on the County of Wellington website or contact them directly at 519-837-2601 or report issues through the Recycle Coach app.
Recycling: As of July 1, 2025, residential recycling pick up is managed by Waste Management (WM). Please contact WM for any missed collections, questions regarding blue box recycling, or where to pick up a new blue box by either by emailing canresidential@wm.com, calling 1-800-561-1655, or report issues through the Recycle Coach app.
The Wellington Health Care Alliance operates three hospitals that serve the Wellington North community:
- Mount Forest: Louise Marshall Hospital, 630 Dublin St, Mount Forest, ON
- Fergus: Groves Memorial Hospital, 131 Frederick Campbell St, Fergus, ON
- Palmerston: Palmerston and District Hospital, 500 Whites Rd, Palmerston, ON
You can find information about all three hospitals, including the services they provide, by visiting https://www.whca.ca.
The small, coloured flags or paint markings on your lawn, often blue, yellow, orange, or red, are called locate markings. They are used to identify the location of underground utilities such as gas, water, hydro, and telecommunications lines. These markings are placed by utility companies or contractors before any digging or construction work begins to help prevent damage and ensure safety. Flags may appear even if the work is not directly on your property, for example, if a neighbour or utility company is planning nearby work.
Please do not remove the flags or paint. They are essential for identifying where it is safe to dig. Only the contractor or utility company that requested the locate is authorized to remove them, and only after the work is complete.
A locate request is required by law prior to digging. There are numerous underground hazards that could cause serious injuries. Hitting gas, electric, or other high-pressure pipes and lines could have fatal consequences. Anyone not following safe digging practices, and who hits underground infrastructure could be held liable for damages. Charges and fines could also be laid by Ontario One Call, the Ministry of Labour, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and other regulators.
Locate requests are managed by Ontario One Call, and due to their privacy policy, Wellington North cannot access or share details about who requested the locate unless you are listed on the request. If you have questions about the locates, you should contact Ontario One Call directly at 1-800-400-2255 or use their Contact Us portal. They can contact the contractor on your behalf.
Please keep in mind:
- Municipalities, including Wellington North, own the land up to your property line and are not required to provide notice for work on public land.
- While you own your private property, the infrastructure buried underneath that property is owned by the respective owner.
For more information or to request a locate before you dig, visit http://ontarioonecall.ca
- For general inquiries, property taxes, building services, and more, please visit our Kenilworth office: 7490 Sideroad 7 W, Kenilworth, ON
- For Recreation and Economic Development, please visit our Mount Forest location: Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, 850 Princess Street, Upper Level, Mount Forest, ON.
- Coming soon: Services will also be available in Arthur.
- For matters related to Water or Infrastructure, please reach out to book an appointment, 519-848-3620.
Registering For Property Taxes
As a property owner, you generally do not need to register separately to receive property tax bills. When a property is sold, the lawyer managing the transaction submits the ownership change to the Township on your behalf.
- However, it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that tax bills are received and paid on time. Not receiving a bill does not exempt the owner from payment obligations or from any penalties and interest that may apply due to late payment.
- If you would like to verify the information, please reach out to accounting@wellington-north.com
Paying Property Taxes
- The township of Wellington North accepts the following payment methods for tax bills:
- Pre-Authorized Payment Plans: Monthly or Installment Plans Available. Fill in the application and send to accounting@wellington-north.com
- Telephone & Online: Payment through your bank.
- Mail: Remit Cheques to: PO Box 125, Kenilworth, ON N0G 2E0
- Drop Box: Please use the mail slot at the front door of the Municipal Office: 7490 Sideroad 7 W, Kenilworth.
- Cheque: Post-dated cheques are accepted.
Property Tax Bills
- Interim tax bills are mailed out mid-January and are due the 4th Friday of February and April
- Final tax bills are mailed out mid-July due the 4th Friday of August and October
Supplementary Tax Bills
If you have recently bought a new home or made any additions or improvements to your property, remember to plan for a Supplementary Tax Bill in your budget.
Newly Constructed Homes
For the first 12 to 14 months after occupying a newly constructed home your property tax bills may cover the land only, not the building, because the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has not completed the assessment. Once your new home is assessed, you will receive a “Property Assessment Notice” from MPAC.
A Supplementary Tax Bill will follow with taxes covering the building from the date of occupancy. You are strongly encouraged to budget for this billing to avoid unwanted surprises. Note that if your mortgage payment includes taxes, you will need to send the Supplementary Tax Bill to your financial institution.
Wellington North is home to several public schools.
Upper Grand District School Board
- Arthur Public School
- Kenilworth Public School
- Victoria Cross Public School (Mount Forest)
- Wellington Heights Secondary School (Mount Forest)
Wellington Catholic District School Board
- St. John Catholic School (Arthur)
- St. Mary’s Catholic School (Mount Forest)
Information about these schools, including enrolment, is available online at www.ugdsb.ca and www.wellingtoncdsb.ca
For urban areas of Wellington North, water and electricity are provided by Wellington North Power and natural gas connections are managed by Enbridge Gas. In rural areas, electricity is supplied by either Wellington North Power or Hydro One.
Wellington North Power 519-323-1710, Enbridge Gas 1-877-362-7434, Hydro One 1-800-434-1235
The drinking water in Arthur and Mount Forest is supplied by several ground water wells within each town. Minerals such as iron and manganese are naturally occurring and commonly found in ground water sources which can cause sedimentation in the water distribution system.
The Wellington North Environmental Services team perform regular watermain flushing activities on Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to improve water quality by clearing the mineral deposits from the watermain and to ensure adequate disinfection throughout the distribution system. It is recommended that residents refrain from doing laundry on Thursday’s during this time.
If discoloured water is observed, allow your cold water tap to run until water is clear. If discolouration persists, please contact the Environmental Services Department at 519-848-3620
Do not remove the animal from its natural habitat unless absolutely necessary. It may not need help, and human interference can sometimes do more harm than good.
Keep your distance and avoid disturbing the animal. Noise, pets, or people nearby can prevent adult animals from returning to their young.
Who is allowed to care for wild animals in Ontario?
Only authorized wildlife custodians (licensed wildlife rehabilitators) are legally permitted to provide temporary care to wild animals. They are trained and equipped to handle wildlife safely and effectively.
Can I keep a wild animal temporarily?
Ontario law allows individuals to temporarily possess a sick, injured, or immature wild animal for up to 24 hours, but only for the purpose of transferring it to a wildlife custodian or veterinarian.
How can I find a wildlife custodian?
You can find a list of authorized wildlife rehabilitators on the Ontario.ca website
What if the animal is dead or poses a public safety risk?
- Report sick or dead wildlife to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) at 1-866-673-4781 or online.
- If the animal may have had rabies, call 1-888-574-6656 or visit the rabies section on Ontario.ca.
- For immediate public safety concerns, contact your local police department.
How can I protect myself if I must handle a wild animal?
- Always use personal protective equipment such as heavy gloves or disposable gloves.
- Be aware that wild animals can carry diseases like rabies or avian influenza and may bite or scratch if frightened.
Information adapted from Ontario's website page: How to help a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal.