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Property Standards Committee

The Property Standards Committee is a quasi-judicial body that hears appeals to orders issued by City Property Standards Officers for violations of certain Ontario Building Code and municipal by-law standards for residential, multiple residential and commercial properties.

The committee is a local board of the City. It conducts itself in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, and is also governed by the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 629, Property Standards.

Committee responsibilities

The committee is organized into four hearing panels. Members conduct hearings and review reports prior to the hearings. Members are also required to attend an initial meeting as a full committee in order to appoint a city-wide chair and a chair for each panel.

Committee composition

The committee is composed of 16 citizen members organized into four panels corresponding to the Community Council boundaries.

Term of office

The term of office for public members is four years.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for appointment to the board, public members must meet the eligibility requirements in the City's Public Appointment Policy, including:

Must be a resident of the city of Toronto;

Must be at least 18 years old;

Cannot be a spouse, partner, child or parent of a Member of Toronto City Council;

Cannot be a City employee or an employee of a City agency or corporation.

Qualifications

In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, members are to:

• bring an understanding of the diverse neighbourhoods and communities across the city
• have a concern for the health and safety of City residents
• have an understanding of the Building Code Act; Municipal Code Chapter 629, Property Standards; building practices and tribunal processes
• have a clear understanding of the role of the committee
• not act as an agent for any appellant before the Property Standards Committee
• if possible, have previous experience as a member of a decision-making body
• be able to read and understand building plans, surveys and reports

Former Council members who served in the immediately preceding term of Council are ineligible for appointment as public members.

Meeting and Time commitment

Hearing panels typically meet 10 times a year at the Etobicoke, Toronto, Scarborough and North York Civic Centres where the Municipal Licensing and Standards offices for the area are located. Hearings may last from 1 to 5 hours depending on the number and complexity of appeals.

Remuneration

• Chair: $2,500 annually, plus full-day per diem of $460 and half-day remuneration (3.5 hours or less) of $275 for hearings, business meetings or training sessions.
• Members: $1,500 annually, plus full-day per diem of $460 and half-day remuneration (3.5 hours or less) of $275 for hearings, business meetings or training sessions.

Related links

• Municipal Licensing and Standards - Property Standards website
• Property Standards Committee additional information