Whereas poorly maintained driveways and parking lots contribute to vehicle damage, including tire punctures, wheel misalignment, and suspension issues, increasing maintenance costs for residents and businesses and creating unnecessary financial burdens; and
Whereas the City of Kingston has established minimum property standards through its Property Standards By-Law to ensure the maintenance and safety of private properties; and
Whereas potholes and deteriorating driveways on private property, including commercial and residential properties, have been a recurring issue requiring repeated enforcement interventions; and
Whereas some property owners are engaging in a pattern of minimal compliance, performing only temporary or insufficient repairs rather than properly maintaining their driveways and surfaces; and
Whereas property owners frequently wait to receive a free Notice of Violation before taking action, delaying compliance until the City escalates enforcement to an Order to Remedy, which extends the timeline for repairs and increases administrative burdens; and
Whereas the City has enacted a $150 fee for issuing a Order of Remedy when a property owner fails to comply with an initial Notice of Violation, serving as an initial deterrent against inaction and encouraging timely compliance;
Therefore Be It Resolved That Council direct staff to review and report back to the Administrative Policies Committee, by the end of Q3 2025, on amendments to the Property Standards By-Law to require that any surface repair to driveways, parking lots and walkways be consistent with the original material; and
That Council direct staff to amend the City's By-Law Enforcement Policy to provide that when a pothole or deteriorating driveway contravenes the Property Standards By-Law, an officer will generally require the person to repair the contravention within 14 days after being served with the order to repair.