What occupancy scenario might a PSO address?

• A. A dwelling unit with more occupants than its design, size, or occupancy standards allow, creating health or safety risks.
• B. A property with a minor cosmetic issue.
• C. A dog barking at night.
• D. A neighbor's property boundary dispute.

Answer: (A)

Occupancy issues revolve around how many people are living in a dwelling relative to its size, design, and the occupancy standards set in by-laws. When there are more occupants than the dwelling can safely accommodate, it can threaten health and safety—egress routes become blocked, facilities are overtaxed, ventilation and sanitation suffer, and fire risk can increase. A Property Standards Officer will review the dwelling against the occupancy limits in the property standards by-law, determine that overcrowding creates a health or safety risk, and take steps to remedy the situation. This might involve reducing the number of occupants to meet standards or enforcing improvements to bring the dwelling into compliant conditions.

The other options don’t fit this specific focus. A minor cosmetic issue doesn’t involve occupancy or safety standards. A dog barking at night is a nuisance or animal-control issue, not an occupancy violation. A neighbor’s boundary dispute is a civil matter outside the scope of property standards enforcement.