Municipal Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

For residential properties:

Every window in a dwelling unit designed to be opened shall be fitted with screens, to prevent the entrance of rodents, vermin and insects and the screens shall be maintained in good repair (Property Standards By-law 2015-101 section 3.1.5).

Graffiti and other types of vandalism found on City property should be reported to our Municipal Service Centre.  You can call or email our staff 24/7 at (905) 356-1355 or [email protected].  

If the vandalized property belongs to another agency (e.g. a utility company,  the Niagara Parks Commission or MTO), the matter should be referred to the property owner.

Graffiti on private property may be referred to Property Standards By-Law 2015-101, section 2.7.7, which states:

Exterior walls and their components shall be repaired of vandalism or other damage, including defacements by paint, inscriptions or other markings as well as broken windows.

Fences, enclosures, retaining walls and structures appurtenant to a property shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound condition and plumb, maintained free of health or other hazards.

Please refer to Fence Bylaw 2005-70 as amended.

Whether you own property or rent, live or work in the City of Niagara Falls, everyone has a role in rodent prevention. Rodent proofing your home and property is the most important factor to prevent and control these pests. 

Please visit the Rodent Prevention and Control webpage for more information on the Residential Rodent Control Rebate Program.

If you are experiencing rodents inside your home please contact Niagara Region Public Health at 905-356-1538 or visit  the Public Health webpage.

Visit Canada411.ca for local pest control services. View rodent prevention tips at the Government of Canada website.

Residential buildings, dwelling units and yards shall be kept free of rodents, insects or vermin and the methods used for exterminating such rodents, insects or vermin, shall be in accordance with all applicable government regulations. It is the owners responsibility to take care of this.

For more information please visit the Rodent Prevention and Control webpage.

Property standards are in place to protect the health and safety of occupants, tenants and the general public. The Property Standards By-law sets minimum standards to ensure that property owners maintain their properties. Please refer to the City's Property Standards By-law No. 2015-101.

Every owner, lessee or occupant of land shall ensure that the grass on the land is less than 20 centimeters in length. Please see By-law No. 2007-41, section 8.

Please refer to Property Standards By-law 2015-101.

Residential:
3.5.1 Every dwelling unit shall be provided with a heating system capable of continuously
maintaining an indoor air temperature of not less than:
(1) 22C [72F] in all habitable rooms and interior living spaces (excluding
attached garages);
(2) 22C [72F] in unfinished basement spaces; and
(3) 15C [59F] in heated crawlspaces.
3.5.2 The indoor air temperatures specified in article 3.5.1 are to be maintained between
the 15th day of September of one year and the 31st day of May the following year,
unless otherwise specified by the Chief Building Official.

Non- Residential:
4.5.1 Any non-residential building, except for those of industrial occupancy, shall be
provided with a heating system capable of continuously maintaining an indoor air
temperature of not less than 21C [70F] during normal working hours.

Please refer to Property Standards By-law 2015-101.

Residential:
3.5.1 Every dwelling unit shall be provided with a heating system capable of continuously
maintaining an indoor air temperature of not less than:
(1) 22C [72F] in all habitable rooms and interior living spaces (excluding
attached garages);
(2) 22C [72F] in unfinished basement spaces; and
(3) 15C [59F] in heated crawlspaces.
3.5.2 The indoor air temperatures specified in article 3.5.1 are to be maintained between
the 15th day of September of one year and the 31st day of May the following year,
unless otherwise specified by the Chief Building Official.

Non- Residential:
4.5.1 Any non-residential building, except for those of industrial occupancy, shall be
provided with a heating system capable of continuously maintaining an indoor air
temperature of not less than 21C [70F] during normal working hours.

Refer to  By-law 2007-41 regulating litter and the maintaining of land. These regulations include the parking and storing of vehicles, trailers, and recreational vehicles.

No person shall deposit refuse on any private land or publicly owned land.  Refuse includes inoperative motor vehicles, boats, ships, trailers, including any parts or accessories therof except where all such vehicles are within an enclosed building.

Inoperative motor vehicles means a vehicle lacking an affixed current motor vehicle licence plate or having missing parts, including tires, damaged or missing glass, or deteriorated or removed metal adjunction, which prevents its lawful mechanical function upon a highway, which vehicle is not located on lands of a licensed motor vehicle dealership or licensed motor vehicle repair garage.

Please refer to  By-law No. 2007-41 for regulations regarding litter and the maintaining of land.

6.  No person shall use any land or structure in the City for storing used motor vehicles for the purpose of wrecking or dismantling them or salvaging parts thereof for sale or other disposal, unless authorized by law to do so.

7.  No person may park or store any vehicle, trailer, recreational vehicle or other conveyance
on land that is not a surfaced parking area.