The Town of Aurora's Property Standards By-law and Clean Communities By-law sets out the minimum standards for building and property maintenance within the Town.
The standards prescribed in these by-laws are intended to outline the reasonable maintenance and upkeep of yards, buildings and properties.
Property Standards and Clean Communities Highlights
- All property owners are to cut and maintain the grass on their lawns and boulevards. Grass and weeds cannot exceed 8 inches or 20 centimeters.
- All properties are to be kept clear of waste including any debris such as deserted or inoperable motor vehicles, construction or demolition materials, furniture, appliances, etc.
- All swimming pools, hot tubs, wading pools, and artificial ponds must be maintained and in good working condition and free of stagnant water.
- All yards are to be kept clean and free from insect infestation, vermin, and other pests, and free from any condition which may harbour such pests.
- All exterior surfaces, including surfaces which have been painted, stained, varnished, etc. are to be maintained in a state of good repair.
- All roofs, doors, windows, eaves troughs, gutters, downspouts, chimneys, stacks, and vents are to be maintained in a state of good repair.
Updates to the Property Standards By-law came into effect on September 26, 2023 and include:
| Walkways |
| A surface treated walkway (ex. Paved, interlocked, etc.) to the main entrance of a building and separately leased units (if applicable) |
| Safe Access and Barriers |
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Property owners are required to maintain accessibility standards and safe access to buildings. |
| Retaining Walls |
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Retaining Walls are to be maintained structurally sound and plumb and perform its intended function. Additionally, there is a requirement for a guard and/or railings when the elevation difference exceeds 1.2m. (These requirements only apply when the wall is not a designated structure as outlined in the Building Code Act). A retaining wall that is a designated structure is defined as: A retaining wall exceeding 1000mm (3.2ft) in exposed height adjacent to
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| Garbage Disposal |
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All properties must maintain an adequate supply of receptacles which are screened from public view. Property owners must also ensure that their garbage bins/containers are not overflowing. Owners of apartment buildings are required to maintain their garbage chute systems in a clean and operable state. |
| Driveway Delineation |
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See Section 19 of Property Standards By-law for explanation. |
| Elevators |
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All elevators must be maintained in accordance with applicable standards. |
| Interior Lighting Standards |
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The Town’s new Property Standards By-law introduces minimum/maximum lighting standards for interior and exteriors. These standards apply in varying situations as outlined in the by-law. (ex. Residential apartment corridors, mechanical rooms, etc.) |
| Exterior Lighting Standards |
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Requirement for Full-Cut-Off Fixtures as outlined in Schedule “C” of the Property Standards By-law. There is a Grandfathering period for existing wall mounted lights until January 2030 (This applies to light fixtures installed on or before September 26, 2023). New light fixtures are required to comply with the provisions in the By-law. Exterior lighting cannot exceed 50lux (Lux = Measurement of light brightness) |
| Buffering |
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A requirement has been introduced for the installation of barriers or deflectors to prevent lighting and motorized and non-motorized vehicle headlights from shining directly into a dwelling. |
| Clothing Drop Boxes |
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Property owners where clothing drop boxes are located are responsible for ensuring that the area is maintained clean and clear of refuse and debris. If a clothing drop box is placed on a property without the consent of the property owner, it is the property owners’ responsibility to ensure removal. |
| Parking Garages |
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In the interest of public safety, the new Property Standards By-law implements requirements for underground parking garages. This includes painting walls and columns black and white, installation of safe exit signage, green coloured exit doors, minimum lighting standards, and proper maintenance. |
| Windows |
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In Apartment buildings, windows are required to have window opening limiters to prevent children and objects from falling out. This requirement does not apply to units on the first floor or windows located over a balcony. |
| How do I make a complaint about a Property Standards issue? |
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You can report a by-law violation by emailing the Bylaw Division or calling 905-727-3123. Please provide photos and or evidence where applicable. |
Vital Services
Aurora’s Vital Services Bylaw outlines the minimum requirements for heat, electricity, fuel, natural gas and hot and cold water and air conditioning in a rental unit. Landlords are not allowed to interfere or cut off these vital services for any reason.
