What happens when a tenant complains about property standards?
The landlord hears it first, in writing, with a deadline. Before the City takes a complaint from a tenant, it says: If you are a tenant, you must provide us with a copy of the written complaint you submitted to your landlord or management company listing the issues that need to be addressed and two-week timeline to have the work started and completed.
Then: After we receive the complaint, an inspector will visit the site to ensure the complaint is valid.
(City of St. Catharines, Property Standards By-law) Two weeks is not long to book a trade, so a letter like that is worth a same-day call. That is the kind of job on income property maintenance, and the province's standards are in rental maintenance standards.
How much parking does an added unit need?
Half a space each, plus the house. The City’s Zoning By-law requires 0.5 parking spaces per ADU on a lot. If there is one ADU on the lot, 1 parking space is required. If there are two ADUs on the lot, 1 parking space is required. The principal dwelling unit also requires 1 parking space.
And on permits: Building permits are still required for all ADU projects, even with a pre-approved design.
(City of St. Catharines, Pre-Approved Detached ADU Designs) The provincial rule and Hamilton's version are in adding a rental unit, and the build itself is on new rental units and build-outs.
Are there grants for adding a unit in St. Catharines?
The City says so: To encourage the creation of ADUs, the City offers support through the Community Improvement Plan ADU Program: grants of up to $40,000 for interior units and $80,000 for exterior units.
(City of St. Catharines, read November 2, 2026) Programs open and close, and grants come with their own conditions, so confirm with the City that it is open and what it asks before the work starts. For a basement or interior unit as an investment, see work for real estate investors.
Can a unit be rented short term?
Only with a licence, and only as a side use of a home. Starting in 2022, short-term rentals must obtain a licence to operate.
And: The property must operate first and foremost as a full-time residence
. (City of St. Catharines, Short-term rentals) A unit built for long-term tenants is the usual plan.
Does a renovation in St. Catharines need a permit?
Often. In general, you'll need a building permit to erect, install, extend, alter or repair a building.
(City of St. Catharines, Do I need a Building Permit) The City's own list of jobs, next to Hamilton's, is in permits for rental renovations.
What do you do in St. Catharines?
The same work as everywhere we go: property turnovers, repairs, common areas and balconies, new units and full interiors, for landlords, property managers and homeowners. Call (905) 920-1418, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm, or send the details on the request page.
This is a plain summary of the City's pages, not legal advice. The linked pages and by-laws are what count.