Entrepreneur frustrated home-based business shut down because of township bylaw
Severn Township resident Stephanie Dell is frustrated the pet care and dog sitting business she ran out of her home was shut down in January because of a bylaw requiring her to have a kennel licence.
Under the existing bylaw, residents are prevented from receiving payment for such services without a permit, and kennel licences are only issued to businesses on land designated as rural or agricultural. Dell's home is on land designated as residential.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"As a young person who's taken that leap of faith into starting a business, I feel like I am blindfolded and running an obstacle course," Dell said.
Severn Mayor Mike Burkett shed light on the nuances of the bylaw, emphasizing that accepting payment for pet sitting triggers the requirement for a kennel licence, as outlined in the town's official plan.
Burkett said people can walk others' dogs for profit without a licence and offer services at other dog owner's homes, but they cannot transport the animal to their property without a licence.
The mayor said the town could consider amending the official plan, but admitted that it could take years.
"Maybe we have to start thinking outside the box, but that's a planning process that we need to do, and we will undertake, but staff needs to come back with a report with how do we move forward with this and involve everyone in the township," the mayor said.
Councilor Wanda Minnings echoed the need for public consultation in decision-making processes.
"I think, as a council, we need a balanced response and information so that we can make the best decision going forward," Minnings said.
Despite the setback, Dell remains resolute in her pursuit of business opportunities. She intends to refocus her efforts on alternative aspects of her business, such as dog walking, while actively seeking avenues to obtain a kennel licence for her residential property.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.