Property maintenance — St. Catharines, Ontario

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

In the City of St. Catharines, Ontario, property maintenance rules are set by Boulevard By-law No. 2022-059 and 5 other bylaws, verified 2026-10-25. Enforcement: Director/Officer may order compliance; if default, City may carry out work at owner's expense and recover costs with 15% interest and lien.

Boulevard By-law No. 2022-059 adopted bylaw

standards	Prohibited: Landscaping/Trees/Fixtures in setback/height/dangerous conditions; hard surfaces/artificial turf; ditch/curb/culvert alterations; damage; items on unopened road allowances.	s. 5.1; s. 5.2; s. 5.5
enforcement	Director/Officer may order compliance; if default, City may carry out work at owner's expense and recover costs with 15% interest and lien.	s. 6.1; s. 6.1.4; s. 6.4; s. 6.5

scout note

Governs and regulates the maintenance, occupancy and use of City boulevards abutting private property (landscaping, encroachments, obstructions).

Grasses and Weeds By-law No. 2004-122 adopted bylaw

standards	Every owner of land shall cut and remove all grasses and weeds exceeding 20 em in height.	s. 3
enforcement	Weed Inspector may give owner written notice to conform within seventy-two hours; if not done, City or agent may do work at owner's expense and recover costs by action or adding to tax roll.	s. 4; s. 5

scout note

Requires property owners to maintain grasses and weeds below a set height; amended by By-law 2014-22.

Property Standards By-law adopted bylaw

standards	Buildings must be structurally sound; exterior walls, roofs, foundations maintained; removal of waste and accident hazard conditions required.	"Removal of waste and accident hazard conditions"
enforcement	Inspector issues letter detailing infraction and compliance timeline to property owner; continuing non-compliance may be subject to legal action.	"Continuing non-compliance may be subject to legal action"

scout note

Official City page for property standards rules and enforcement.

Property Standards By-law No. 2014-248 adopted bylaw

standards	Property found to be below the Standards prescribed by this by-law.	s. 4.9
enforcement	If owner fails to comply with a final Order, City may repair or demolish, clear site, make safe, or prosecute; City has a lien for amount spent.	s. 10.8

scout note

Sets minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of property city-wide; enables orders to remedy unsightly or unsafe premises.

Vacant Building Registry By-law No. 2022-097 adopted bylaw

enforcement

Officer may order discontinuance of contravening activity or work to correct it; Director may carry out at person's expense and recover costs with 15% interest.

ss. 13, 15, 20, 21

scout note

Requires registration and ongoing maintenance/securing of vacant buildings within the City of St. Catharines.

Waste Disposal on Lands By-law No. 2020-106 adopted bylaw

standards	Keeping land with Waste, Unsafe Conditions, dead/decayed/damaged trees, or Derelict Vehicles; storing Waste outside Waste Receptacles.	s. 4.1.1, s. 4.1.2, s. 4.2.1, s. 4.5.1, s. 4.7.1
enforcement	Director/Officer may order compliance; on default City may clean/remove/dispose and recover costs plus 15% interest, creating a lien.	s. 5.1, s. 5.8, s. 5.1 O

scout note

Prohibits using certain (vacant/private) lands for the disposal of waste and sets standards for their maintenance; targets illegal dumping, not curbside collection (that is a Niagara Region service).

Machine-readable: property-maintenance.json · Official website: http://www.stcatharines.ca · Last verified 2026-10-25 · Property maintenance across Ontario · Property maintenance in other municipalities