Which actions fall within a PSO's mandate?

• A. Grant building permits
• B. Collect property taxes
• C. Set municipal zoning by-laws
• D. Inspect properties, issue orders, and ensure compliance.

Answer: (D)

Inspections, orders, and compliance enforcement are what a PSO does. Property Standards Officers are tasked with checking properties against the municipality’s property standards by-laws and ensuring issues are addressed. When they find deficiencies, they can issue orders to repair, remedy, or otherwise bring a property up to standard, and they monitor follow‑through to achieve compliance. They don’t issue building permits, collect taxes, or set zoning by-laws—that authority lies with the building department, the tax/treasury functions, and municipal council/planning, respectively. So the action that fits a PSO’s mandate is inspecting properties, issuing orders, and ensuring compliance.