The City of Pickering is proposing a by-law that would establish a process for people who would like to enter their neighbour’s property under special circumstances.
The city says it would be meant for situations where a property owner needs to access their neighbour’s land for things like repairs or alterations to their own property.
Officials note that houses are often built very close together in some urban areas, which makes it difficult to do certain things without technically trespassing.
If a homeowner needs to repair a fence for instance, they might need to temporarily cross the property line or pass through a neighbour’s property.
The city says the by-law could apply to situations where property owners haven’t been able to reach a friendly agreement.
Under the proposed by-law, a formal permit process would be established.
If a person wants to apply for a permit, they would have to complete a form and submit insurance documents as well as a security deposit.
The permit will clearly establish a period of time where the right of entry may be exercised and the property owner will be notified of this.
“The By-law is intended primarily to address urban areas of the City where structures are built close to lot lines, making repairs or alterations difficult without encroaching onto a neighbouring property,” said Kim Thompson, Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services. “We want residents to help shape some of the elements addressed in the By-law, such as notification periods, types of work the By-law can apply to, and more.”
Click here to view the proposed by-law, fill out a survey or share your thoughts.
