Understanding Property Standards and Enforcement Processes

The City of Merritt Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2387, 2024 and the provincial remedial action process provide the formal frameworks used to address serious concerns related to property conditions within our community. These mechanisms are in place to ensure that properties that are unsightly, unsafe, or a public nuisance are managed in a way that supports community safety and livability.

The flowcharts presented here are designed to help residents clearly understand each step of the process. They illustrate how decisions made by property owners directly influence the direction and outcome of enforcement actions, whether under municipal bylaw or provincial legislation.

The following framework helps guide municipalities and residents to achieve compliance to maintain community safety and livability.

These processes are intended to be fair, transparent, and legally sound, reinforcing the City’s commitment to protecting public interest and maintaining standards across all neighbourhoods.

Unsightly Properties

PROCESS FOR UNSIGHTLY PROPERTY COMPLAINTS

1. Files begin with either a complaint or inspection
2. On Inspection, was the property deemed to be unsightly?
   – If Yes, proceed to next step
   – If No, no further action required
3. Letter sent to the owner or occupier giving direction on what is required for compliance, extension requests, or further questions. Has there been voluntary compliance by the completion date?
   – If Yes, no further action is required
   – If No, has there been a request for an extension granted?
   • If Yes, a new completion date as been granted, return to the beginning of Step 2.
   • If No, Remedial work will be initiated by the City, through a contractor.  Resulting costs are the responsibility of the property owner.

Remedial Action Requirement

PROCESS FOR THE CLEAN UP OF UNSIGHTLY PROPERTIES UNDER THE COMMUNITY CHARTER BY COUNCIL RESOLUTION

1. Files begin with either a complaint or inspection
2. On Inspection was the property deemed to be unsightly as to possibly be a public nuisance or hazard.
   – If Yes, proceed to next step
   – If No, no further action required
3. Section 72 through section 78 of the Community Charter provides municipal councils authority to impose remedial action including ensuring due process, procedural fairness, adequate timelines, and an opportunity for a person to request reconsideration by council. Property owners or occupiers are given notice of an opportunity to appear before Council at a scheduled Council meeting. Following this meeting, the resulting Council resolution including the formally declared condition, nuisance or hazard, the authorized specific remedial actions, and the set timelines and consequences is served to all required parties.  Has there been voluntary compliance by the completion date?
   – If Yes, no further action is required
   – If No, has the occupier or owner provided a written request asking for Council reconsideration within 14 days of the resolution being served?
   • If Yes, depending on the outcome of any Council reconsideration, continue to the next step with appropriate inclusion of these items.
   • If No, remedial work will be initiated under the legal authority of the Council resolution. The resulting costs are the responsibility of the property owner and if left unpaid by December 31 of each year will be collected as property taxes in the future.
4.  Has there been voluntary compliance following any Council reconsideration?
   – If Yes, no further action is required
   – If No, remedial work will be initiated under the legal authority of the Council resolution. The resulting costs are the responsibility of the property owner and if left unpaid by December 31 of each year will be collected as property taxes in the future.

For More Information Contact:
City of Merritt
Phone: 250.378.4224
Email:  info@merritt.ca