Is issuing a Notice of Violation required?

• A. Yes, in all cases
• B. Yes, in some cases
• C. No, it is not required
• D. Only after a court order

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that enforcement options are all about choosing the right tool for the situation, not about a single mandatory step. A Notice of Violation is one tool among several that a property standards officer might use to address a contravention. It informs the owner of the problem and sets a time to fix it, but it isn’t required in every case. In urgent or hazardous situations, an immediate order to remedy can be issued to protect health and safety without first issuing a NOV. In other cases, authorities may proceed directly with other remedies, such as a formal order, a ticket under the provincial offences regime, or even prosecution, depending on the statute, by-law, and the specifics of the violation. Because the enforcement framework allows different avenues and does not mandate a NOV in all circumstances, issuing a Notice of Violation is not required.