Golf courses and driving ranges next to Mississauga homes could face fines if their balls keep landing in residents' yards, under bylaw changes proposed by city staff.

A staff report going to general committee on Wednesday recommends requiring golf facilities near residential streets to put in and maintain adequate safety measures, including higher or heavier-gauge netting where needed, to keep balls from leaving the property.

Failing to comply could bring a $305 fine. For repeated non-compliance or more serious violations, the city could seek penalties ranging from $500 to $100,000, according to the report. If approved, the new rules would take effect April 6.

Complaints near Credit Valley

The proposal grew out of complaints from people living beside the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, the nearly century-old course near Dundas Street West and Old Carriage Road. Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla brought residents' concerns to council last year after balls travelling at high speed left the grounds and damaged property.

Councillors heard in summer 2025 that in at least one incident a resident was nearly hit in the head by a ball that had cleared the course. Council then directed staff to recommend solutions, both for Credit Valley and for any other golf property with similar problems.

In a letter to the mayor late last summer, club management said it had made several operational changes to deal with stray balls coming from its driving range.

errant golf balls can cause property damage, personal injury and limit residents’ ability to safely enjoy their homes and yards when bordering lands used for golf in Mississauga.

— City of Mississauga staff report

Ten golf facilities in the city

Staff counted 10 golf facilities in Mississauga: four public courses, four private courses and two public driving ranges. The rules would apply to those that sit close to homes.

In preparing the report, staff looked at how other Ontario municipalities handle the issue. They found that Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Hamilton, London, Oakville, Ottawa, Toronto and Vaughan have no rules that specifically address the hazard of stray golf balls or require nearby courses to maintain safety measures. That could make Mississauga one of the first cities in the province to do so.

Staff say clearer rules, better enforcement and more accountability would give the city a stronger way to respond when residents complain, while still recognizing how golf courses operate.

What happens next

General committee will discuss the report on Wednesday. Any recommendation it makes still needs approval from city council before the bylaw amendments can take effect.