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CITY OF QUESNEL
BYLAW NO. 1870
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A bylaw to regulate Minimum Rental Property Standards
_________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS Section 8(3)(l) of the Community Charter authorizes that a council may, by bylaw,
regulate and impose requirements in relation to buildings and other structures.
AND WHEREAS Section 53(2)(d) of the Community Charter grants a council authority in relation to a
building or other structure to ensure the health, safety or protection of persons and property.
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Municipality of Quesnel in open meeting assembled enacts as
follows:
Part 1 Title and Interpretation
1.1
Title
This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "CITY OF QUESNEL MINIMUM RENTAL PROPERTY
STANDARDS".
1.2
Interpretation
This bylaw shall apply to all buildings, dwellings, dwelling units and land, which are now, or may
become in the future, substandard with the respect to structure, equipment, facilitates, maintenance,
light, heating, air, ventilation, sanitation, occupancy and protection against fire hazard, protection
from the outdoor elements, or otherwise may be deemed to constitute a menace to the safety, health
or welfare of the occupants.
Part 2 Definitions
In this bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in the Community Charter and
Interpretation Act govern, and the following definitions apply:
Accessory Building means a detached building or structure located on the same lot or site as the
principal building, the use of which is subordinate, customarily incidental, and exclusively devoted to
that of the principal building.
Agencies means any provincial authority or a authority having jurisdiction, any community agency
funded to provide or assist individuals, BC Housing authority, and the City's Corporate Officer.
Approved means acceptable to the Director of Development Services or Chief Building Official.
Balustrade means a protective barrier that acts as a guard around openings of doors or at the open
side of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, various walkways or other locations to
prevent accidental falls from one level to another. Such barriers may or may not have openings
through it.
Bathroom means a room containing at least one toilet and toilet tank and one hand basin, one
bathing fixture, and constructed so that complete privacy is available to the user;
Bedding means sheets, blankets, pillows and pillowcases;
Boarding means a residential use where the building contains sleeping units or bedrooms for the
accommodation of a Tenant with or without meals.
Building means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy;
Chief Building Official means the manager and head administrator of the municipal building
department for the corporation of the City of Quesnel or persons appointed to administer this bylaw.
Community kitchen means a room not part of a dwelling unit or housekeeping unit and designed
or intended for the use of the preparation of food;
Cooking facility means an approved appliance in or upon which food may be heated;
Director of Development Services means the Director of Development Services for the corporation
of the City of Quesnel and representatives who are authorized to act on his/her behalf.
Dwelling means a building or structure or part of a building or structure occupied or capable of
being occupied in whole or in part for the purposes of human habitation and includes the land and
premises appurtenant thereto and all out buildings.
Dwelling Unit means one or more habitable rooms of complementary use, under a single
household, operated as a single housekeeping unit designed, used or intended to be used as a
domicile and containing one major cooking facility, as well as eating, living, sleeping and sanitary
facilities.
Habitable room means a room used for cooking, eating, sleeping or human occupancy, excludes
bathroom, utility room, workroom, furnace room and storage room, pantry room, stairway, lobby,
communication corridor, or space for service and maintenance of the dwelling for public use, and for
access to and vertical travel between stories.
Hand basin means a plumbing fixture primarily intended for the washing of hands, with hot and cold
water connected thereto;
Hotel means a hotel, motel, inn, rooming house and apartment hotel and any prescribed class of
premises, but does not include a facility:
(a) owned or operated by a non-profit society incorporated under the Society Act, a municipality, a
regional district, a college designated under the College and Institute Act or a university named in the
University Act, or b
(b) in which the landlord resides and which contains fewer than a total of 5 bedrooms or rooms used
as bedrooms;
Housekeeping unit means a sleeping unit containing a sink and cooking facility;
Landlord includes lessor, sub lessor, owner or other person permitting the occupation of
residential premises, and his/her heirs, assigns, personal representatives and successors in title and
a person, other than a tenant occupying the premises, entitled to possession of the residential
premises;
Municipality means the Municipality of Quesnel;
Owner in respect of real property means the registered owner as defined in the Municipal Act;
Person includes a corporation, partnership or party, and the personal or other legal representatives of
a person to whom the context can apply according to law;
Rental accommodation means a residential premises subject to a tenancy agreement;
Residential premises means a dwelling unit used for residential purposes, and includes, without
limiting the above,
a manufactured home
a manufactured home pad
a room or premises in a hotel occupied by a hotel tenant,
caretaker's premises, and
employment premises,
but does not include premises, under a single lease, occupied for business purposes with a dwelling
unit attached;
Repair includes replacing, making additions or alterations or taking action required for the premises
to conform to the standards prescribed by this bylaw;
Sanitary facilities means any toilet and toilet tank, urinal, bathtub, shower or hand basin;
Sink means a plumbing fixture, primarily intended for the washing of dishes and utensils, with hot
and cold water connected thereto;
Sleeping unit means one or more rooms equipped to be used for sleeping and sitting purposes only,
with no cooking or sanitary facilities;
Standards means the standards set out in parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this bylaw.
Tenancy agreement means an agreement, whether written or oral, express or implied, having a
predetermined expiry date or not, between a landlord and tenant respecting possession of
residential premises and occupation of a room or premises in a hotel;
Tenant means a person or persons who have the right of exclusive possession of residential
premises under a tenancy agreement.
Part 3 - Administration and Enforcement
3.1 - Application
This bylaw applies to all Rental Accommodation in the Municipality of Quesnel.
3.2
Responsibility for Administration
The Chief Building Official and those appointed by the Chief Building Official or the
Director of Development Services to enforce the bylaw.
3.3
Chief Building Official's Right of Entry
The Chief Building Official or any corporate officer is authorized to enter, at all reasonable
times on any property that is subject to this bylaw to ascertain whether the requirements of
this bylaw are met.
3.4
Notice to Comply to Bylaw Standards
The Chief Building Official may direct an owner whose rental accommodations fails to
meet the requirements of this bylaw to remedy the non-compliance within the time stated by
the Chief Building Official in a written notice to comply delivered to the owner or
representative appointed by the owner.
3.5
Penalties
A person who contravenes this bylaw commits an offence can be subject to a fine as detailed
in the MTI schedule, and upon summary conviction, is punishable in accordance with the
Offence Act.
3.6
Enforcement
3.6.1
Every person who, without lawful excuse, contravenes this bylaw by willfully doing any act
which it forbids or omitting to do any act which it requires to be done, is guilty of an offence
and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than
$500.00 for a first offence and for each subsequent offence to fine of not less than $150.00
and not more than $500.00. A separate offence shall be deemed to be committed upon each
day during and in which the contravention occurs or continues past the time allotted.
3.6.2
The penalties imposed hereunder shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other
penalty or remedy imposed by this bylaw.
3.6.3
No person shall prevent or obstruct, or attempt to prevent or obstruct, entry of the Chief
Building Official to any premises or property as authorized under this bylaw.
3.7
Owner's Duties and Obligations
An owner of rental accommodation or properties shall maintain it in accordance with the
standards prescribed in this bylaw.
3.8
Compliance with Other Bylaws
Compliance with this bylaw does not excuse an owner or any person from the requirement to
comply with all other municipal bylaws and regulations.
3.9
Severability
In the event that any portion of this bylaw is declared ultra vires by a Court of competent
jurisdiction, then such portion shall be deemed to be severed from the bylaw to that extent
and the remainder of the bylaw shall continue in force and effect.
Part 4 Minimum Standards for Residential Property and Lands
4.1.1
Sewerage and Drainage
4.1.2
Sewerage, organic waste and grey water shall be discharged into a municipal or regional
sewerage system or by other means approved by the Medical Heath Officer.
4.1.3
No drainage shall be directed to neighboring properties at any time.
4.2.1
Safe Passage
4.2.2
Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces, and similar areas shall be maintained to afford safe
passage under normal use.
4.2.3
All common corridors, passageways, stairs and paths of egress and exit shall be maintained
and safe for all traffic imposed.
4.3 Accessory Buildings
4.3.1
An accessory building shall be kept in good repair and shall be free from health and fire
hazards.
4.3.2
All accessory buildings shall have positive grading from the building.
4.4 Fences and accessory structures
4.4.1
All fences, barriers and retaining walls around or on the property shall be kept in a reasonable
state of repair.
4.4.2
Fences and or accessory structures shall not impede egress from any portion of the buildings
on the property or lands.
Part 5 Minimum standards for Maintenance of Dwellings and Dwelling Units
5.1
Pest Prevention
5.1.1
Basements and crawl spaces shall cover all openings, which may permit the entry of rodents,
and covering should be of durable material or screened with metal grills.
5.2
Dampness
5.2.1
The interior floors, ceilings and walls shall be kept free from dampness by means of proper
ventilation or other approved means.
5.2.2
Basements and crawl spaces shall be kept free from dampness by means of floor drains, sump
pumps or equivalent.
5.2.3
Basement floors shall be kept dry and free from major cracks, breaks or similar which may
allow for ingress of water.
5.2.4
Exterior elements shall be sealed to be weather tight so as not to allow seepage causing
dampness.
5.3
Structural Integrity
5.3.1
Buildings and their structural members shall be maintained in good repair and in a manner
that provides sufficient structural integrity so as to safely sustain its own weight and any
additional loads and influences to which it may be subjected through normal use.
5.3.2
Materials, which have been damaged or show evidence of rot or other deterioration shall be
repaired or replaced subject to the Chief Building Official.
5.3.3
The exterior walls, roofs and other parts of the dwelling shall be free from loose, rotted and
broken materials and objects.
5.3.4
All cornices, entablature, belt courses, corbels, terracotta trim, wall facings and similar
architectural features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in safe
condition.
5.3.5
All walls ceilings shall be maintained in an approved manner and shall be free of holes, cracks,
loose coverings and other defects.
5.3.6
Where there are fire resistive walls which separate occupancies, they shall be maintained in a
condition which retains their fire-resistant quality.
5.3.7
Every floor shall be free of all loose, warped, protruding, broken, or rotted materials.
5.3.8
All worn, torn, and defective floor coverings shall be repaired or replaced.
5.3.9
All floor system components such as floor joists, rim boards and supports must be repaired or
replaced if rotted cracked or deteriorated.
5.3.10 The foundation walls and the basement, cellar or crawl space floor shall be maintained in good
repair and shall be structurally sound.
5.3.11 Every dwelling unless of the slab-on-grade type shall be supported by foundation walls or
piers which extend below the frost line or to solid rock. All footings, foundation walls, piers and
slabs-on-grade shall be of masonry or other approved material. Section k does not apply to all
accessory buildings.
5.4
Windows and Doors
5.4.1
All exterior openings shall be fitted with doors or windows.
5.4.2
Windows, exterior doors, and basement or cellar hatchways shall be maintained in good
repair so as to prevent the entrance of wind or rain into the dwelling.
5.4.3
Rotted or damaged doors, door frames, window frames, sashes and casings, broken glass and
missing or defective door and window hardware shall be repaired or replaced.
5.4.4
At least one entrance door in every dwelling unit shall have a hardware so as to be capable
of being locked from both inside and outside the dwelling unit.
5.4.5
All windows capable of being opened and all exterior doors shall have hardware so as to be
capable of being locked or otherwise secured from inside the dwelling unit.
5.4.6
Every bedroom shall have a window meeting the requirements in the BCBC for egress.
5.4.7
All exterior doors shall have security blocking conforming to the BCBC.
5.4.8
All windows and doors shall have latching and locking devices and shall be maintained in good
working order.
5.4.9
All windows and doors shall be weather tight and weather-stripped to keep wind and rain out.
5.5
Porches, Balcony's and Stairs
5.5.1
An inside or outside stair and any porch appurtenant to it shall be maintained so as to be free
of holes, cracks and other defects which may constitute possible accident hazards and all
treads or risers that show excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose and all supporting
structural members that are rotted or deteriorated shall be repaired or replaced.
5.5.2
A balustrade shall be installed and maintained in good repair on the open sides of any
balcony, porch, and stair that has a difference in elevation of 600mm or more and must be
capable of withstanding loads set out in the BCBC.
5.5.3
A handrail shall be provided and maintained in good repair on all stairways which have more
than 3 risers.
5.6
Plumbing
5.6.1
All plumbing, including plumbing fixtures, drains, vents, water pipes, toilets and toilet tanks
and connection lines to the water sewer system, shall be maintained in good working order
and repair, free of leaks or other defects and protected from freezing.
5.6.2
Every hand basin, bathtub, shower and sink shall have an adequate supply of hot and cold
running water and every toilet and toilet tank shall have an adequate supply of running water.
Hot water shall be supplied at a maximum temperature of 49 degrees Celsius to fixtures.
5.7 Heating
5.7.1
Heating equipment shall be maintained in a safe and good working condition so as to be
capable of safely attaining and maintaining an adequate temperature standard, free from fire
and accident hazards and in all rental accommodation capable of maintaining every room at
a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius measured at a point of 1.5 meters from the floor, and in
the center of the room.
5.7.2
If a form of supplemental heating is supplied, which is a solid fuel-burning appliance the
appliance must be certified and installed by a qualified person. A storage area must be
supplied for fuel and shall be safely maintained in a convenient location and be so constructed
to be free from fire or accident hazards.
5.7.3
Heating must be supplied to all rental units described in a) by a reliable heat source which
does not include the use of supplemental heating by way of solid fuel burning or space
heaters.
5.8 Ventilation
5.8.1
Ventilation shall be supplied in accordance with the Code of the day at which time the rental
unit was put into place.
5.9 Electrical
5.9.1
Every rental unit shall be wired for electricity and lighting equipment shall be installed
throughout to provide reasonable illumination, and no less than 10 lx at the path of egress.
5.9.2
Electrical wiring and lighting equipment, including circuits, fuses, circuit breakers, electrical
equipment and electrical heating systems shall be maintained in good working order.
5.9.3
Every habitable room or space within a rental unit shall have a minimum of 1 electrical
duplex except kitchens which require two.
5.9.4
All electrical equipment installations and wiring in a rental unit shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the provisions of the British Columbia Electrical Act and requirements.
5.9.5
An inspector of this Bylaw may request an owner of the rental unit to obtain an electrical
inspection conducted by the Electrical Safety Authority if there is a safety concern for the
tenants.
5.10 Interior Fire and Health Safety Hazards
5.10.1 All walls, floors and roof construction, which are, required fire separations with or without a
required fire resistant rating, including fire protective closures, sprinkler systems, including fire
alarm systems, and detection systems and other means of fire protection shall be maintained
so that they continue to provide the fire resistive properties and protection for which they
were designed.
5.10.2 All required smoke detection and carbon monoxide (CO) detection shall be supplied in working
order.
5.10.3 All induct smoke detectors or smoke control dampers are required to be in working order and
testing as prescribed.
5.11 Maintenance Standards for Hotels
5.11.1 Surfaces of interior walls and ceilings shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
5.11.2 Sanitary facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and their walls and
ceilings with a smooth surface reasonably impervious to water or chipping or cracking.
5.11.3 Every room in a hotel containing any sanitary facilities serving more than on sleeping
unit, housekeeping unit or housekeeping room, accessibility from a public hallway shall be
maintained and locking mechanisms on the inside are maintained.
5.11.4 Where provided in a community kitchen, the sink, cooking facility and food storage shall
be maintained in a safe and healthy working order.
5.11.5 Except where it is specifically agreed to be provided by the tenant, every hotel operator who
provides bedding, mattress covers and towels shall maintain them in a clean and sanitary
condition.
5.11.6 Except where it is specifically agreed to be provided by the tenant, every hotel operator who
provides furnished accommodations shall maintain such furnishings in a clean and reasonable
condition of repair and maintenance.
5.11.7 All Hotels as defined in this Bylaw are subject to comply with all of Parts 4 & 5 of this Bylaw.
5.12 Minimum Maintenance Standards for Mobile Home Parks
5.12.1 Every Mobile Home Park is subject to Part 4 of this Bylaw.
5.12.2 All lanes throughout the park used for access by the residents shall be maintained in a usable
state and free obstacles and barriers.
5.12.3 All common areas within the Park shall be maintained in a reasonable standard of health and
cleanliness throughout the site.
5.12.4 The Owner is responsible for maintaining any services or facilities within the park, which may
include but not limited to septic or sewer mains, and roadways.
5.13 Minimum Maintenance Standards for Mobile Homes
5.13.1 Mobile Homes which may be rented and not owner occupied are subject to Part 5 of this
Bylaw within the guidelines of the CSA Z240 standard for the manufactured portion.
5.13.2 All additions or add on to the mobile home will be subject to Part 5 of this Bylaw for all
portions.
Part 6 Effective Date
This bylaw shall come into effect upon the day of its adoption.
READ A FIRST TIME this 30th day of April, 2019.
READ A SECOND TIME this 28th day of May, 2019.
READ A THIRD TIME this 28th day of May, 2019.
FINALLY ADOPTED this 25th day of June, 2019.
____________________________________ Mayor
____________________________________ Corporate Officer