Property Standards Committee

The Property Standards By-law helps keep buildings and properties in our community safe, clean and well-maintained.  This protects the health and quality of life for all residents. All property owners must maintain the inside and outside of their property to these standards.

Property standards orders are issued under the Ontario Building Code and the City’s Property Standards By-law. The committee can confirm, change, or cancel an order, decide on repairs or demolitions, or give more time to comply with an order.

How to appeal a property standards order

Inspectors check properties of concern to see if they follow the by-law. You will be issued a property standards order if your property breaks the rules. If you disagree with all or part of the order, you can appeal to the Property Standards Committee. The order may still apply during the appeal, and you must follow the order unless the Committee changes it.

How to appeal

  • Submit your appeal
    Write a letter to appeal the Property Standards Order. Deliver it to the City Clerk by the date listed on the order. Submit to: City Clerk, City of Niagara Falls, 4310 Queen St., Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 or [email protected].
  • Pay the fee: Check the Fines and Penalties page for current fees to file a notice of appeal.
  • Get notified about the hearing
    Once your appeal and fee are received, the Property Standards Secretary will schedule a hearing. You will get a written notice at least 21 days before the hearing with the date, time, and location.

What to expect at the hearing

  • Present your case
    You can attend the hearing and share your evidence. You will have 15 minutes to speak, but the Committee can give you more time if needed.
  • If you don’t attend
    If you don’t show up, the Committee may decide without you. You won’t receive further notices about the hearing, but you will receive the final decision.

After the hearing

  • Committee decision
    The Committee will review all evidence and decide at the hearing or within 14 days following the hearing date. The Committee will decide whether to:
    1. Confirm the order,
    2. Modify the order,
    3. Cancel the order, or
    4. Extend the time to comply with the order
  • Notice of decision
    You will get a written decision in the mail as soon as possible after the hearing. The City Clerk, Committee members, and other involved parties will also get a copy.
  • Appealing the decision
    If you disagree with the Committee’s decision, you can appeal to a judge in the Superior Court of Justice. To do this, you must send a written notice to the Clerk and apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an appointment within 14 days of receiving the decision.

Committee members

Term:  Four years, 2023-2026

Members:

  • Mona Patel
  • Ruth Ann Nieuwesteeg 
  • Sam (Bruno) Carrera
  • Frank De Luca
  • Sheila DeLuca
  • Anna Lee
  • Kathleen Mann 
  • Joseph Pirosko

City liaison:

Senior Manager of Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Services
905-356-7521 ext. 8000
[email protected] 

Apply to be a committee member:  Applications are closed for this council term.

Committee meetings

The Property Standards Committee only meets when required for an appeal.

Committee rules