By-Law

1. Complaint received (written or verbal depending on the complaint).
   Please note: We do not accept anonymous complaints from anyone. A name and phone number are required for files to be acted on and will remain confidential.
2. Officer reviews complaint information and any evidence submitted with the complaint.
   Please note: Only if the Officer requires further details will they reach out to the complainant for those details.
3. Once a complaint is submitted, the role of the complainant is complete. Complainants will not receive updates on the investigation.

1. Officer will attend the location indicated (address, area, etc.)
2. Officer will photograph any evidence of an infraction, if applicable.
3. Officer will determine if a violation to a Municipal bylaw has occurred.

1. Officer will speak with the homeowner at the property in question if there is a violation or not and advise on next steps NOTE: Next steps can include:
   • closing the file if there is no violation;
   • verbally request that the violation be rectified;
   • sending a Notice or an Order.
2. In the case of Property Standards, Clean and Yards, Noise Control, or Public Nuisance matters where it is determined a violation has taken place, a first formal letter (Notice) may be mailed to the property owner’s address on file with a case number, indicating:
   • nature of the violation; 
   • how the violation can be rectified;
   • the amount of time given to rectify the violation.
   • next steps to be taken.
3. If the property owner rectifies the issue in the allotted time frame, an officer will re-attend to verify compliance, speak with the property owner and close the file.
4. If the issue has not been rectified, the officer may issue a second formal letter (Notice) after meeting with the property owner and provide an extension to the time frame to rectify the violation depending on the situation.
5. Same step is taken, officer will re-attend, verify, and determine next steps.
6. If compliance is still not met, an Order to comply will be issued. Time allotted for compliance is dependent on Municipal By-laws. As per the Building Code Act, there is a 21-day compliance allotment for Property Standards.
   Please note: For reoccurring violations, the Municipality may issue an Order for compliance immediately foregoing steps 8-11.
7. When an order for compliance is not met, the Municipality will hire an independent Contractor (when applicable) to rectify the issue (i.e.  clean a property, cut the grass, etc.). NOTE:  the cost for this contractor and any associated fees and fines will be the responsibility of the homeowner to pay.
8. File is closed.

Once a complaint is submitted, the role of the complainant is complete.

The Municipality and James Special Services do not provide the complainant with updates or information on investigations. The process outlined above must be followed to maintain quality enforcement and to ensure that enforcement measures are fair & just, while protecting the personal information all parties involved.