Posted by: City of Ottawa
Have Your Say
Emergency and Protective Services is conducting a review of the City of Ottawa’s 2013 Vacant Building Strategy. This strategy introduced a proactive inspection and enforcement regime for vacant buildings and lots, with the aim of reducing community nuisance and public health and safety issues for these properties.
Under the 2013 strategy, the City:
- Established specific property standards for vacant buildings and lots
- Implemented a Vacant Building List to track properties
- Dedicated one Property Standards Officer to conduct proactive inspections, with the aim of inspecting all properties twice annually.
When the strategy was introduced, there were approximately 95 vacant properties known to the City; but by 2020, that number had grown to approximately 220. This increase is challenging the ability of By-law and Regulatory Services to conduct regular inspections and follow-up enforcement when necessary.
City Council has asked staff to consider options to:
- Reduce community nuisance issues related to vacant properties
- Reduce the time properties remain vacant
- Support the Ten-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan
- Improve pest control
- Provide cost recovery for administration and enforcement
Emergency and Protective Services is conducting research into promising practices from other jurisdictions and consulting with other City departments, owners of vacant properties, and community and industry associations on new regulations for vacant properties.
A report to Community and Protective Services Committee is currently planned for the second quarter of 2022.
Do you own a vacant building or lot? The project team would appreciate your input on this review. Please contact us through the email or phone number provided below.
Members of the public with questions or comments are also invited to contact the project team at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca. or 613-580-2424 Ext. 29529.