Property maintenance — Oshawa, Ontario

What are the rules on junk, derelict cars, and unsightly property?

The City of Oshawa, Ontario has 5 adopted bylaws on file: Adequate Heat By-law 76-2006 (as amended by By-law 98-2019 and 127-2022); Lot Maintenance By-law 127-2007 (consolidated); Property Standards By-law 1-2002 (consolidated); Shopping Cart By-law 181-2022; Vacant Building Registry By-law 15-2024 (as amended by By-law 103-2025), verified 2026-10-18.

Adequate Heat By-law 76-2006 (as amended by By-law 98-2019 and 127-2022) adopted bylaw
standards Fail to maintain adequate and suitable heat (minimum 22 degrees Celsius (72.1ºF)) in rented/leased dwellings normally heated by/at landlord expense, at all times between September 1st and June 15th. s. 3; s. 2(a)
enforcement Upon request, Officer may enter, inspect and examine premises; administrative penalties under By-law 63-2013 ($250 tier one, $350 tier two, $450 tier three) and Provincial Offences Act penalties on conviction apply. s. 4; s. 5.1–5.3
scout note

Requires landlords to maintain adequate and suitable heat for rented or leased dwellings/living accommodation in Oshawa, part of the City's property-standards regime.

Lot Maintenance By-law 127-2007 (consolidated) adopted bylaw
standards Prohibited: standing water; waste; grass or weeds exceeding 20 centimetres; noxious weeds; excavation/trench/ditch deeper than 61 centimetres unless barrier; graffiti; unsuspended bird feeders; driveways/walkways not providing safe passage. s. 4.1; s. 4.3; s. 4.5; s. 4.7
enforcement Officer may issue Work Order; if Owner contravenes, Director may cause work to be done at Owner's expense; costs/interest may be added to tax roll and lien. s. 6.1; s. 7.1; s. 7.4; s. 7.5
scout note

Governs and regulates the maintenance of land in Oshawa, including grass/weed height and accumulation of debris, to prevent unsightly lots.

Property Standards By-law 1-2002 (consolidated) adopted bylaw
standards Prohibited: property not clean and tidy; rubbish, debris, inoperative vehicles, dilapidated structures, stagnant water, and pest infestations. s. 4.1.1; s. 4.1.3; s. 4.3.6; s. 5.12.1
enforcement Orders under the Building Code Act; Owner must repair or clear nonconforming property; administrative penalties and inspection fees apply. s. 1.4.4; s. 1.4.2; s. 1.4.6; s. 1.19.1
scout note

Sets minimum maintenance and occupancy standards for property in Oshawa (exterior condition, structural soundness, sanitation) enforceable against unsightly or dangerous premises.

Shopping Cart By-law 181-2022 adopted bylaw
standards Removing shopping carts from premises; abandoning carts on or near highways or City property; owners permitting removal or abandonment. s. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5
enforcement City staff may collect, remove and impound abandoned carts; owner must pay retrieval fee and arrange pickup; unclaimed carts may be disposed or sold. s. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.8
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Establishes minimum standards to prevent and control the discarding and abandonment of shopping carts on highways and City property, treating abandoned carts as a public nuisance/unsightly condition.

Vacant Building Registry By-law 15-2024 (as amended by By-law 103-2025) adopted bylaw
standards No Owner of a Vacant Property shall fail to obtain/hold a Permit; no Permit Holder shall fail to secure Vacant Property against unauthorized entry. s. 3.1; s. 3.4; s. 12
enforcement Officer may make an Order requiring the Owner to do work to correct the contravention. s. 14.1
scout note

Establishes permitting and registration requirements for vacant buildings and land in Oshawa to address the maintenance and safety of vacant/derelict properties.

Machine-readable: property-maintenance.json · Official website: http://www.oshawa.ca/ · Last verified 2026-10-18 · Property maintenance across Ontario · Property maintenance in other municipalities