Yard, waste and fencing items on a Property Standards Order

What your order probably says

Orders cite the section of the by-law, describe the location, and set out a remedy. Two orders that look similar can require different work, which is why the first thing we do is transcribe yours item by item rather than assume.

What the Code appears to require

Most yard and lot maintenance items don't require a permit, which makes them the part of your order that can be finished while everything else is waiting on plan review. Several municipalities also enforce these through a separate lot maintenance or clean yards by-law, so your file may involve more than one document.

• Yards clean, sanitary, and free from refuse and debris.
• Overgrowth, dead trees and dilapidated structures removed.
• Fences in good repair — and note that a replacement fence over a certain height may itself need a permit.
• Parking surfaces maintained.

We say “appears to require” deliberately. Only the Chief Building Official can confirm what applies to your building, and only your property standards officer can close the order. We confirm both in writing before anything is priced or built.

What the fix involves

• Reading the order item against the right by-law, since lot maintenance is sometimes separate.
• Clearing, removal and disposal, with bins arranged where the volume needs them.
• Fence repair or replacement, confirming first whether the height triggers a permit.
• Dated before and after photographs — these items are usually verified visually.
• Getting these cleared early, so the officer can see progress on the file.

What drives the price

• Volume of material and the number of bins required.
• Access for equipment and disposal.
• Linear feet of fence, and repair versus full replacement.
• Whether tree removal needs a separate permit or an arborist.
• Whether it can be combined with a visit for other order items.

We don't publish prices for this work, because a number that hasn't survived plan review isn't a quote. The site visit and the written quote are both free, and the quote maps every order item to the fix and the price.

Other items on your order