COVID-19 Lambton Shores Updates

Welcome to the COVID-19 Lambton Shores information hub. Here you will find the latest information and updates. Please check back for regular updates. The health and safety of our community and residents are our number one priority and we continue to monitor the situation very closely.

Government of Ontario Announcements and Quick Links

Lambton Public Health

The Municipality is following the direction from Lambton Public Health, who is making their decisions based on the provincial and federal response. 

Resources for Businesses and Workplaces

In response to the recent provincial announcement, there are several changes to COVID-19 restrictions in workplaces and businesses. Lambton Public Health has drafted the following letter to help businesses navigate the new changes:

Ongoing updates can be found on the Workplace Page of the Lambton Public Health website.

LPH Announcements and Quick Links

LPH News Release: Rescinding Local Letter of Instruction for Sports and Recreation Facilities
Lambton Public Health COVID-19 Website

Municipal Information

2022 Municipal Updates

2021 Municipal Updates

2020 Municipal Updates

 Facilities and Services

 See the below list for the latest updates on Municipal facilities and services. 

Administration and Office Buildings
Lambton Shores municipal offices are open to the public. 

Arenas, Parks and Facilities (Beaches and Marinas)
 Arenas

Please click on the facility links above or call 519-243-1400, option 3 for more information. 
Beaches 

In accordance with current provincial restrictions, public beaches remain open. Do not visit if you feel unwell. Please follow all other rules and restrictions on posted signs.

Many amenities have closed for the season. Please visit the Beaches web page or call 519-243-1400, option 3 for more information. 
Community Centres

Please click on the facility links above or call 519-243-1400, option 3 for more information. 
Marinas

Please visit the Marinas web page.
Parks and Trails

Please visit the Parks and Trails web page. 

 

Building Services 

Please contact the Building Department by email or by phone at 519-243-1400 ext. 8510.

Council and Committees Meetings

Meeting information and schedules will be updated on the Council Meeting Calendar.

Fire Services

Lambton Shores Fire Stations remain fully functional. We are taking precautionary measures to ensure that firefighters can attend emergencies. Updates to our services include:

  • Firefighters will still respond to incidents, however, you may see members wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and protective eyewear. This is for their protection. To decrease the risk of exposure to our firefighters, we are asking all residents to ensure their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly to reduce the number of false alarm calls. 
  • Fire inspections will continue on a limited basis.
  • Public Education and Prevention activities have been temporarily suspended. 

Yard Waste Fires

Open air burning can be a fire hazard, as well as infringing on the enjoyment of your neighbours.  Check online and review the information on Open Air Burning before starting your burn. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lambton Shores Fire Chief as follows:
Phone: 519-243-1400 Ext. 8801
Email: Lawrence Swift

Garbage and Recycling

For regular updates visit the Bluewater Recycling Association webpage. 

Planning and Development

If you have any planning related inquiries, please contact Will Nywening as follows:

Phone 519-243-1400, Ext. 8512
Email: Will Nywening

Taxes, Utilities and Payments
Taxes

Property tax bills are issued twice a year, with two installments on each bill. Interim tax bills are mailed in February and the installment amounts are based on 50% of the previous years' taxes.

Interim tax bill installment due dates:

  • Last business day in February
  • Last business day in May

Final tax bills are mailed in August with the following installment due dates:

  • Last business day in August
  • Last business day in November
Utilities

There is no interruption to the water and wastewater billings. All utility accounts are billed quarterly. The area you live in determines the billing date. If you live in:

  • Grand Bend or Arkona, you will be billed at the end of January, April, July and October.
  • Thedford, Forest, or the rural area of Bosanquet (excluding Northville Rd), you will be billed at the end of February, May, August and November.
  • Bosanquet (including Northville Rd), you will be billed at the end of March, June, September and December.
Payments 

We offer many ways to pay your tax, utility or other municipal bills. Information is available on our Bill Payments  web page. 

Preauthorized payments will continue as scheduled; however if you have a concern and need to discontinue this process please contact the Finance Department at 519-243-1400, press 1 or complete the preauthorized payment Cancellation Form. 

When making online payments please ensure that you have entered in the electronic payment number that is located on your bill. This number is property specific so if you move within Lambton Shores, the electronic payment number will change.  

 Water and Sewers

Water and Sewer services will generally be provided in the normal fashion. Urgent matters including watermain breaks, sewage back-ups, etc. will continue to be handled on an as needed basis and should be reported by phone or through our website.

Water Turn Off and On Services

Lambton Shores provides a service to our seasonal property owners that may want to consider our free curb stop turn on and off service. Someone must be present to check inside buildings for all water on appointments and staff will be following contactless procedures for everyone’s safety.

Please provide at least 5 business days notice.  Service is completed during regular business hours, Monday - Friday.

To make this request, call Community Services at 519-243-1400, option 2 or complete the online form. 

 

If you have any questions regarding your utilities, please contact Nick Verhoeven at 519-243-1400, ext. 8213

Temporary Patio Extensions for 2022

To continue supporting businesses as they work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the AGCO has extended the Temporary Patio provisions for 2022. If permitted to open for on-site consumption, liquor sales licensees may continue to temporarily extend or add a temporary physical extension of their licensed premises until 3:00 a.m. on January 1, 2023.

Eligible liquor sales licensees do not need to submit an application to the AGCO to extend their licensed premises for the duration of 2022, provided they meet certain requirements.

To be eligible for a temporary patio extension under the AGCO’s patio policy, you must have a valid liquor sales license, be permitted to open for on-site consumption and must meet the criteria as set out below:

  1. The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to:
    1. the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies; or 
    2. a dock to which the boat is attached and may include land adjacent to the dock; or
    3. the licensed premises under the "by-the-glass" endorsement to a Manufacturer’s Licence; 
  2. The municipality in which the premises is situated has indicated it does not object to an extension; 
  3. The licensee is able to demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises;  
  4. There is no condition on the licence or endorsement prohibiting a patio;  
  5. The capacity of any new patio, or extended patio space where the licensee has an existing licensed patio, allows for at least 1.11 square metres per person; and 
  6. In the case of a by-the-glass endorsement to a Manufacturer’s Licence, the sale and service of the wine, beer and/or spirits manufactured by the manufacturer within the physical extension of the premises is primarily aimed at promoting the manufacturer’s product and either providing an enhanced tourist experience or fulfilling an educational purpose.

In response, the Municipality of Lambton Shores is offering an expedited process to allow for temporary patio spaces. 

Temporary patios must complete the Temporary Patio Registration Form and comply with guidelines provided by the Municipality of Lambton Shores, Lambton Public Health and the ACGO regarding size, occupancy and health regulations. Temporary patios will be allowed to operate without permit until 3:00 am on January 1, 2023, if registered with the municipality.

No municipal permits will be required for existing businesses to operate patios on private property. However, businesses are required to register and confirm that they will comply with the guidelines. If a business is requesting to open or expand a patio into an existing private parking area, permission and additional approval must be obtained if any more than 25% of the onsite parking for the establishment is impacted.

If a business is requesting to open or expand an existing patio on public property, permission and additional approval must be obtained.

Registration:

Fees

Fees will be waived for the registration of Temporary Patios.

Inspections/Occupancy

You are not required to call for inspections; however, the municipality may conduct audit inspections of patios to ensure compliance with the general safety requirements outlined in the Registration Form.

Owners shall provide their liquor licence, if requested by the Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official is authorized to inspect all temporary patios and require adjustments to the patio in order to address compliance with these guidelines.

You are not required to request an Occupancy Permit; however, you are required to comply with the Provincial social distancing guidelines.

Community Information

Community Information

Before visiting any business, please remember to follow Lambton Public Health Guidelines and practice physical distancing.

Grand Bend Pandemic Support Group
Not feeling well? Returning from abroad? Do you need:
  • Groceries picked up
  • Mail picked up
  • Dog walking
  • Other errands
  • Support

We are a group of volunteers from Grand Bend and surrounding area who are willing and able to help. If you or someone you know is in need, please contact:

Kim Hammond
519-238-1725
gbhelps2020@gmail.com
Community Health Services
Information for Businesses
Support Local Businesses

More than ever, local businesses need your support. Check out the following links for up-to-date business listings:

Shoreline ToGo has been keeping listings up to date throughout the pandemic. You might find your new favourite restaurant right here at home!

Non-Profit Support

Emergency Community Support Fund

Grand Bend Community Foundation COVID Relief Fund

Through the incredible generosity of our community members, the Grand Bend Community Foundation has developed a substantial COVID relief fund. We want to support organizations experiencing an increase in demand for existing services (often accompanied by a decrease in fundraising revenue). We are also open to ideas for innovative new ideas to support vulnerable populations in this unprecedented time. To find out more, contact Pat Morden, 519-619-8630 or grandbendcf@gmail.com.
Who can I call? 

If you have a complaint

We encourage all people and businesses to comply with all Provincial restrictions, and if in place, Emergency Orders. Education, awareness and compliance are preferred options. OPP, or in some cases Municipal Law Enforcement officers, will apply discretion on whether to launch any enforcement actions.

Complaints for less serious incidents can be reported online at opp.ca/reporting or by calling the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.
Other Helpful Resources

Contact Us