A By-law to Regulate Vacant Buildings in the City of Cornwall - Vacant Building By-law

Oct 28, 2026

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A municipal by-law enacted by the Corporation of the City of Cornwall sets rules for the maintenance and regulation of vacant buildings to protect residents and visitors, supporting the city’s health and safety objectives and public well-being. It establishes key definitions, including “vacant building,” “board up,” and relevant roles such as the Chief Building Official, Supervisor, Officer, and Owner. The by-law also outlines registration requirements, notice display duties, registration expiry and revocation conditions, and application and renewal procedures, including fees, required reports, and decision criteria for issuing registration notices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

A By-law to Regulate Vacant Buildings in the City of Cornwall

1. Short Title

2. Definitions

3. Registration

4. Application & Renewals

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF CORNWALLBy-law\#2014-109 # A By-law to Regulate Vacant Buildings in the City of Cornwall Whereas,the Council of the Corporation of City of Cornwall deems it necessary to regulate the maintenance of vacant buildings in the City in orderto protect the health and safety of its residents and visitors and to ensure thatthe City remains an attractive place to live,work and play;and Whereas,Sections 8,9 and 11 of the Municipal Act,2001,S.O.2001,c.25,as amended(the“Municipal Act”),authorize a municipality to pass of by-lawsrespecting the health,safety and well-being of persons and the protection ofpersons and property; Now therefore be it resolved that the Corporation of the City of Cornwall enactsas follows: ## 1.Short Title This By-law may be referred to as the“Vacant Building By-law.” ## 2.Definitions For the purposes of this By-law: 2.1“Board Up”or“Boarding Up”means installing wood sheathing or boardsin all Building openings to prevent access by unauthorized persons,wild life androdents. 2.2 "Building"means all or part of: a.a structure occupying an area greater than ten(10)square metersconsisting of a wall,roof and floor or any of them or a structural systemserving the function thereof including all plumbing,works,fixtures and servicesystems appurtenant thereto;or b.a structure occupying an area of ten(10)square meters or less thatcontains plumbing,including the plumbing appurtenant thereto; 2.3“Chief Building Official”means the Chief Building Official appointed by City | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Council pursuant to the Building Code Act S.O.1992,c.23 2.4“City”means the municipality of the City of Cornwall or the geographic areaunder the jurisdiction of the City of Cornwallas the context requires; 2.5“Commercial Storefront”means any transparent or partly transparentwindow,facade or public entryway in a commercial establishment,fronting on astreet and visible to customers,neighboring merchants and/or residents; 2.6 "Farm"means an agricultural operation as defined in the Farming and FoodProduction and Protection Act,1998,S.O.1998,C.1 and includes such anoperation that is not carried with the expectation of gain but otherwise meets thedefinition in that act; 2.7“Notice of Registration”means a Notice of Registration issued by the ChiefBuilding Official pursuant to Section 4.2 of this By-law; 2.8 "Officer"means an individual appointed by the City of Cornwall or assignedby the Supervisor to enforce this By-law; 2.9“Owner”includes,but is not limited to: a.the registered owner of a Property; b.the owner of a Building; c.the person managing or receiving the rent of a Property on which aBuilding is situated or of a Building who would receive the rent if the Propertyor Building were let,whether on the person's own account or as agent ortrustee or receiver of any other person; d.a lessee or occupant of the Property on which a Building is situated who,under the terms of a lease,is required to repair and maintain the Building;and e.an owner as defined by the Condominium Act,1998 S.O.1998,C.19,asamended; 2.01“Order”means an Order issued under this By-law; 2.11"Person"includes,but is not limited to,an individual,sole proprietorship,partnership,association or corporation; 2.12“Property”means land on which a Building is situated and includes theBuilding; 2.13“Supervisor”means either the City's Supervisor of Municipal Law Enforcement or the Chief Building Official; 2.14 “Vacant Building”means any Building that has not been occupied,for atleast sixty(60)days,by the Owner of the Building or a person authorized by theOwner and that,by reason of its damaged,dilapidated and/or unfinishedcondition,is open to the elements or is in a state such that there is no controlover unauthorized entry to the Building.

FAQs

What is the purpose of this by-law?

It regulates the maintenance of vacant buildings to protect the health and safety of residents and visitors and to help keep the City attractive as a place to live, work, and play.

What qualifies as a “Vacant Building” under the by-law?

A “Vacant Building” is any building not occupied for at least sixty days and, due to damaged, dilapidated, and/or unfinished condition, is open to the elements or lacks control over unauthorized entry.

What must an Owner do regarding registration and notices?

Every Owner must register the vacant building with the City and display a valid Notice of Registration in a prominent place on the property.

Oct 28, 2026

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