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There has been much discussion at Council, with our residents/taxpayers and in social and traditional media about the role of property standards in the municipality. This is an issue that we take very seriously and want to make sure that the best information is available.
PROPERTY STANDARDS IN PERTH EAST
Dear Residents of Perth East,
You may have heard rumors about changes to the Property Standards Bylaw in Perth East. The Property Standards By-law sets out matters involving structural integrity, health and safety of residents, and other matters relating to properties in Perth East.
As a municipality, our decisions are made with the best interest of all in mind.
Here are the FACTS:
- The Township’s property standards by-law has been around since 2001. We did not introduce a new bylaw or change the current bylaw.
- All that was done on April 3, 2018, was an update to the official title of the municipal bylaw enforcement officer back to property standards officer. Perth East has appointed Property Standards Officers since 2001.
- The majority of Ontario municipalities have this type of a by-law in place. In fact, compared to our neighbouring municipalities our by-law is essentially the same, and actually less stringent than many across Ontario
- Over the 17 years since the by-law has been in place, there have been no significant issues or concerns raised with regards to inspection power.
- All property standards complaints to date are generated from residential, not farm properties. Since 2001, the Township has not investigated or been requested to investigate any property standards issue on a farm. Property standards does not apply inside a barn or shed, so there is no reason to enter a barn or a shed.
- An inspection is only conducted after a written complaint is received. Then there is an attempt to work cooperatively with the owner to ensure compliance and the property standards officer has limited inspection power.
- The Property Standards officer will not arbitrarily enter a property. The Property Standards officer can only enter a property or dwelling in accordance with specific requirements in Provincial Legislation.
- Biosecurity is an issue that many municipalities are discussing. Perth East is working on developing a draft Biosecurity Policy for all departments that is based on input from anumber of organizations.
Going forward, we are committed to working with residents to determine any improvements that can be made to the existing bylaw. Should you have any suggestions, we welcome you to contact us at 519-595-2800.
The latest updates will be posted at www.pertheast.ca. on the Property Standards tab or feel free to contact your local councillor. We invite you to read the Property Standards Bylaw to see what it actually says.
The Council of the Township of Perth East
| Property Standards - May 2018 |
| May 3, 2018
Re: PROPERTY STANDARDS There has been much discussion at Council, with our residents/taxpayers and in social and traditional media about the role of property standards in the municipality. This is an issue that we take very seriously and want to make sure that the best information is available. Property standards in Ontario have been regulated since the 1970s and in Perth East we have had a property standards bylaw since 2001. Recently the municipality’s lawyer Eric Davis, provided a presentation at a regular meeting of Council regarding property standards which is included with this page as a resource and reference. Most municipalities in Ontario have similar property standards by-laws. They are important from a health and safety perspective and an aesthetic perspective. In most cases, they set out matters involving such things as structural integrity and safety. In Perth East, there have been no significant issues with the by-law. That does not mean there cannot be improvement made and in an effort to address comments and concerns received, Council have directed that a review of the existing by-law be completed. In accordance with Council’s direction, staff are in the process of reviewing submissions received to compile the identified concerns, and the related sections of the current by-law (if any) that may pertain to the identified concerns. One of the key issues that arose recently is that of biosecurity and how to ensure the safety of the municipality’s farmlands, crops and animals. In order to address this, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provided a report to Council on May 1st, 2018 entitled Property Standards By-law and Biosecurity Policy Update. The report is included with this page. The CAO’s report included the following: The municipality is moving forward with a Draft Biosecurity Policy for all departments. In order to ensure the most fulsome policy, a formal request has been sent to the following organizations:
In addition, Council directed staff to include the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the National Farmers Union of Ontario. Additionally, a request was sent to municipalities to ask for copies of any municipal Biosecurity Policies that may have been developed and implemented. Timing of the preparation of the draft Policy will be dependent on the timing of the responses from the requested organizations. Once the draft policy has been compiled, it will be circulated to Council and identified groups for comment. In the interim, biosecurity remains a concern for local agricultural properties and is a priority for staff and Council. Staff will continue to follow biosecurity practices regularly used to this point. Additionally, until a Biosecurity Policy is approved by Council, in an effort to further address these concerns during the interim period, Perth East staff have reviewed the CFIA biosecurity guidelines and will observe these practices when dealing with biosecurity controlled farm properties.
As we move through the process of reviewing the existing Property Standards Bylaw and developing a new Biosecurity policy, the latest information will be posted to our website. The Township of Perth East welcome questions and submissions |
| Property Standards By-law |
| Property Standards By-law 36-2001 |
| Reference Documents |
| Presentation – Primer on Property Standards - Eric Davis, Certified Specialist (Municipal Law)
CAO Report - Property Standards Bylaw and Biosecurity Policy Update |
| Access without a Warrant - Applicable Legislation |
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Inspection of a Property without Warrant - Section 15.2(1) of the Building Code Act, 1992 Entry into Dwellings - Section 16 of the Building Code Act, 1992 |