Property Standards By-law Review

Consultation has concluded

The City of Oshawa is reviewing the City’s Property Standards By-law 01-2002 and we’d like your feedback!

The Property Standards By-law establishes minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of existing property including buildings, structures and surrounding lands. The appearance of buildings are not typically taken into consideration when dealing with property standards.

The City’s current Property Standards By-law addresses things like:

  • property maintenance, waste management and accessory buildings or structures;
  • building standards;
  • requirements when people are living in buildings;
  • standards for building services, systems and facilities; and,
  • vacant buildings.

Community members, tenants, property owners and the building industry are invited to participate:

  • complete a feedback form online on Connect Oshawa (www.connectoshawa.ca/PSB) or on paper at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.) until October 24
  • discuss the topic in-person with City staff at a Property Standards By-law Community Engagement Table on:
    • Wednesday, October 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.)
    • Wednesday, October 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the South Oshawa Community Centre (1455 Cedar St.)
    • Thursday, October 10 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Delpark Homes Centre, formerly Legends Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.)
  • attend the Corporate Services Committee special meeting on Monday November 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber, 50 Centre St. S.)

Feedback will be considered in the development of proposed amendments to the City’s Property Standards By-law.

The City of Oshawa is reviewing the City’s Property Standards By-law 01-2002 and we’d like your feedback!

The Property Standards By-law establishes minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of existing property including buildings, structures and surrounding lands. The appearance of buildings are not typically taken into consideration when dealing with property standards.

The City’s current Property Standards By-law addresses things like:

  • property maintenance, waste management and accessory buildings or structures;
  • building standards;
  • requirements when people are living in buildings;
  • standards for building services, systems and facilities; and,
  • vacant buildings.

Community members, tenants, property owners and the building industry are invited to participate:

  • complete a feedback form online on Connect Oshawa (www.connectoshawa.ca/PSB) or on paper at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.) until October 24
  • discuss the topic in-person with City staff at a Property Standards By-law Community Engagement Table on:
    • Wednesday, October 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.)
    • Wednesday, October 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the South Oshawa Community Centre (1455 Cedar St.)
    • Thursday, October 10 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Delpark Homes Centre, formerly Legends Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.)
  • attend the Corporate Services Committee special meeting on Monday November 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber, 50 Centre St. S.)

Feedback will be considered in the development of proposed amendments to the City’s Property Standards By-law.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • My questions are about the maintenance and cleanliness of private properties because I don't know the property standard in which contributes value that impacts the character of an area, say downtown. I believe Property Standards should reflect care of a property as it is an expression on the surrounding area. Its all to common to see litter build up on private properties or vacant properties used as junk yards. My other focus is on property standards used on private parking lots. Should it not have all the hallmarks of what a parking lot should look like, and not some dirt patch?

    AdamRyanWhite asked 6 months ago

    Thanks for your interest and input. The City’s Lot Maintenance By-law and Boulevard By-law establish standards for ensuring that litter and debris does not build up on private property. Both by-laws are an effective tool for the City to address such concerns quickly and residents can submit service request to Service Oshawa to request an Municipal Law Enforcement Officer to inspect for compliance. Regarding parking lots, the Property Standards By-law review is considering repair and maintenance standards relating to surface conditions of parking lots. Thanks again for your feedback.

  • What will the review consist of, who will be consulted and how will they be consulted?

    7 months ago

    The proposed review will comprise of the following key elements:

    • Internal review involving multiple City branches
    • Analysis of existing property standards data
    • Literature review
    • Municipal benchmarking and best practices research
    • Stakeholder consultation process, including a public meeting held by the Corporate Services Committee as detailed in the table below

  • What are the criteria that will be used to assess whether proposed standards should be included in the Property Standards By-law as a minimum standard?

    7 months ago

    The By-law represents minimum standards for maintenance and occupancy. As such, the following criteria will be used:

    1. Health and safety – generally refers to protecting the public, specifically residents and businesses, and addressing life-safety issues

    2. Good Repair – generally refers to:

    • Addressing deficiencies on a property and within, or in the vicinity of, a building or structure. With respect to properties designated as heritage properties, good repair would include remediating deficiencies to the level established in the applicable designating by-law
    • Maintaining the character and image of the City through standards as established by City Council in municipal by-laws

    3. Suitable for Habitation – generally refers to housing that guarantees physical safety, provides adequate space and facilities, and protection from the elements


  • Why is the Property Standards By-law an important part of the City’s role and services?

    7 months ago

    The City’s Property Standards By-law is an important tool for addressing its strategic goal of “Social Equity: Ensure an inclusive, healthy and safe community” and is also important:

    • As a mechanism to maintain properties and buildings to a minimum standard
    • Providing tools to maintain and enhance the character/image of the City
    • For sustaining property values
    • For preserving the tax base
    • For protecting the safety and the quality of life of residents and businesses.

    While the last update of the Property Standards By-law was approved in January 2002, an initial staff assessment has determined that the existing By-law generally remains robust and well-suited to address the majority of all current maintenance and occupancy concerns. Notwithstanding this, staff have identified opportunities to modernize the Property Standards By-law to account for legislative changes at the provincial level; address residents’ interests; respond to case law; and to respond to Heritage Oshawa and the Corporate Services Committee’s May 8, 2017 direction (CORP-17-22) to assess the feasibility of including clauses to prevent demolition by neglect pertaining to heritage properties in Oshawa.

  • What is the difference between the Property Standards By-law and the Building Code?

    7 months ago

    The Property Standards By-law differs from the provincial Ontario Regulation 332/12, and more commonly referred to as the Building Code, in that the Property Standards By-law is a municipal by-law which governs the maintenance and occupancy of existing buildings and structures and surrounding lands. In contrast, the Building Code, establishes minimum standards for new construction and renovation. The main differences are outlined below.

    Building Code O. Reg. 332/12


    • is a Provincial Regulation
    •  Purpose: Establishes Minimum Standards for new buildings and structures, as well as renovations
    •  Application of Standards: during construction or renovation
    •  Administration and Enforcement by: Building Services
     
    Property Standards By-law 01-2002

    • is a Municipal By-law
    •  Purpose: Establishes Minimum Standards for existing buildings and structures, as well as surrounding lands
    •  Application of Standards: retroactive
    •  Administration and Enforcement by: Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services (M.L.E.L.S.)