City of Brantford Standards

The City of Brantford has by-laws that apply to all residential properties, including rental properties. These by-laws set safety and occupancy standards, support the peaceful enjoyment of residential areas, and establish building and zoning requirements for residential units to be considered legal. The by-laws you should be aware of include:  

• Property Standards By-law: Establishes minimum standards for the maintenance, repair and occupancy of all properties, including requirements for building safety, structural integrity, cleanliness, utilities, and exterior conditions, and prohibits unsafe or substandard living conditions. 
• Lot Maintenance By-law: Regulates lot maintenance, weeds, waste, graffiti, overgrowth and general property cleanliness.
• Noise Control By-law: Regulates noise in the City, including prohibited noises, restricted hours, exemptions and enforcement. 
• Licensing By-law: Establishes the City of Brantford’s business licensing framework, including application requirements, inspections, licence issuance, renewals, compliance, enforcement, and business-specific regulations to support public health, safety, consumer protection, and nuisance control. The By-law requires the registration of short-term rental housing across the City and the licensing of lodging houses.
• Zoning By-law: Guides development and implements the policies of the Official Plan. Property use, the location and height of buildings on a lot, parking requirements, and open space are examples of elements regulated by the by-law. 
• Building Code Implementation By-law: Establishes the City’s framework for administering and enforcing the Ontario Building Code, including requirements for building, demolition and change‑of‑use permits, application processes, inspections, fees, and responsibilities of property owners and builders. 

To report potential By-law infractions involving any privately-owned property (including rentals), contact the City’s Municipal Law Enforcement and Property Standards Team.