# Property maintenance across all of Niagara Region

Updated 2026-10-03.

Roundhouse serves all 12 municipalities of [Niagara Region](https://www.niagararegion.ca/government/municipalities/default.aspx). The Region treats and transmits the water and wastewater; each local municipality distributes, bills and owns the local mains, and each sets its own property standards and heat rule. Summer 2026 brought flooding to Lincoln, Thorold and Niagara-on-the-Lake, and several towns run their own backwater valve programs.

## St. Catharines

St. Catharines runs a vital services by-law and two heat rules, and approved an Emergency Flood Alleviation Program on August 26, 2026. [Property maintenance in St. Catharines](https://roundhousegroup.ca/areas/st-catharines/).

## Niagara Falls

Heat is 22 C under [Property Standards By-law 2015-101](https://niagarafalls.ca/media/ge5hmius/property_standards_by-law.pdf); the season stated in the by-law and on the City's web page differ, so we confirm it with the City before quoting it. Vacant buildings are registered within 60 days. The [Weeping Tile Removal Assistance Program](https://niagarafalls.ca/property-home-and-environment/water-and-sewer-services/weeping-tile-removal-assistance-program/) pays up to $4,000 for weeping tile disconnection with a sump pump and up to $1,200 for a backwater valve, at urban single and semi detached homes only.

## Welland

Heat runs at 21 C from October 1 to May 31. A tenant complaint is accepted only in writing, with a copy of the written notice already given to the landlord ([property standards](https://www.welland.ca/for-wellanders/property-information/property-standards/)), so a dated work order answers it. Vacant buildings are registered within 30 days ([vacant building registration](https://www.welland.ca/for-wellanders/property-information/vacant-building-registration/)).

## Thorold

The one Niagara municipality with a [residential rental licence](https://www.thorold.ca/en/business-services/residential-licensing.aspx) for ordinary rentals, renewed every 2 years. Heat is 22 C from September 15 to May 31 under By-law 123-2007. The City posted a [flood recovery update](https://www.thorold.ca/news/news/flood-recovery-update/) on August 5, 2026 for basement flooding and flood waste.

## Fort Erie

Heat is 21 C, with no season stated, under By-law 186-08, and the Town has consulted on a replacement. The [Extraneous Flow Reduction Subsidy](https://forms.forterie.ca/Extraneous-Flow-Reduction-Program-Application) pays up to $4,500 toward a backwater valve and a sump pump with weeping tile removal.

## Grimsby

Vacant buildings are boarded and may stay boarded for at most 60 days under Property Standards By-law 15-17. Zoning amendments for additional residential units were approved on August 11, 2025 ([Grimsby ARUs](https://www.grimsby.ca/build-and-invest/planning-division/additional-residential-units-arus/)). By-law issues go through the Town's Report a Problem form or 905-945-9634.

## Lincoln

Lincoln declared a State of Emergency on August 3, 2026 after the rains of July 21, July 27 and August 2 ([Town of Lincoln](https://www.lincoln.ca/july21-aug2-flooding-updates)). Its [Sanitary Backwater Valve Subsidy](https://www.lincoln.ca/Sanitary-Backwater-Valve-Pilot-Subsidy-Program) covers 75 percent of the contractor's cost and all of the plumbing permit, up to $1,400. Heat is 21 C under By-law 2016-27.

## Niagara-on-the-Lake

Heat is 21 C under Property Standards By-law 5192-19, which also sets rules for heritage properties left vacant. The Town had two flood events in under a week starting July 28, 2026 ([flooding prevention and response](https://www.notl.com/flooding-prevention)). Short term rentals are licensed under By-law 2025-032.

## Pelham

Heat is 21 C from September 15 to May 31 under Property Standards By-law 2025 (1998). A 2026 zoning amendment allows up to two additional residential units per parcel in the settlement area ([Pelham ARUs](https://www.pelham.ca/business-building-development/planning-applications/additional-residential-units-aru-zoning-by-law-amendment-2026/)).

## Port Colborne

Port Colborne replaced its property standards by-law in 2024; the minimum is now 20 C, with a secondary heat source the tenant can control where they cannot set the thermostat. Vacant buildings are registered within 30 days, and the [Sewer Disconnect and Backflow Prevention Grant](https://www.portcolborne.ca/en/sewer-disconnect-and-backflow-prevention-grant.aspx) pays up to $3,500.

## Wainfleet

No municipal water or sewer: properties run on private wells, cisterns and septic ([water services](https://www.wainfleet.ca/living-here/water-services)). A slow drain is a septic question and a water complaint can be a well, so the trade we send knows which before the visit. Heat is 21 C from September 15 to May 31 under By-law 059-2000.

## West Lincoln

The Township runs the Smithville water system, hands out free well water test kits and requires a permit for sewage system work ([water quality](https://www.westlincoln.ca/living-here/water-and-wastewater-maintenance/water-quality/)). Heat is 21 C from September 15 to May 31 under By-law 98-105. Concerns go through the Township's Report a Concern form or 905-957-3346.

## Who does the work

Plumbing is done by licensed plumbers and drain work by licensed drain contractors. Gas work is done by TSSA registered contractors. We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors. Pest control is done by licensed exterminators. After a flood, the drying, the photos and the plumber's permit go on one file, built to the standard insurers and adjusters ask for.

To send a job anywhere in Niagara, [request work](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/).

## Niagara rules, town by town

- Thorold: every residential rental property needs a Residential Rental Licence under By-law 109-2017, valid for 2 years. An apartment building of five or more units with a common entrance from grade, an owner occupied unit with no more than two tenant bedrooms and zoned student residences are exempt. Source: [City of Thorold, Residential rental licensing](https://www.thorold.ca/en/business-services/residential-licensing.aspx)
- Welland: heat keeps occupied units at 21 C from October 1 to May 31 (section 8.16.2 of Property Standards By-law 2009-108). The Sewage Water Alleviation Program pays up to $7,500 per home, up to $1,500 for a backwater valve and up to $6,000 to disconnect storm drainage and install a sump system. Source: [City of Welland, Sewage Water Alleviation Program](https://www.welland.ca/for-wellanders/property-information/program-and-housing-information/sewage-water-alleviation-program/)
- Niagara Falls: a vacant building is registered within 60 days of becoming vacant, carries the liability insurance the by-law sets and is checked at least monthly (Vacant Building Registration By-law 2025-140, passed December 9, 2025). Source: [City of Niagara Falls, By-law 2025-140, Registration of Vacant Buildings](https://niagarafalls.civicweb.net/document/103424/)
- Port Colborne: Property Standards By-law 7189/12/24 sets a 20 C minimum and requires a tenant controlled secondary heat source where the tenant cannot control the temperature (sections 5.39 and 5.40). Source: [City of Port Colborne, Property Standards By-law 7189/12/24](https://www.portcolborne.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Documents/By-Laws/Frequently%20Requested%20By-laws/Property%20Standards%20By-law%207189%2012%2024.pdf)
- Across Niagara, the Region treats the water and sells it to the local municipalities, which bill residents. Local municipalities own the local sewer mains; the Region owns the trunk sewers, most pumping stations and all wastewater treatment. Source: [Niagara Region, Wastewater treatment and collection annual performance reports](https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/sewage/wastewater-annual-reports.aspx)

## Related pages

- [Property Maintenance in St. Catharines](https://roundhousegroup.ca/areas/st-catharines/)
- [Waterproofing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/waterproofing/)
- [Student housing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/student-housing/)

## Questions

### Which Niagara municipalities does Roundhouse serve?

All 12, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet and West Lincoln. St. Catharines has its own page and the rest are covered on this one.

### Which Niagara city licenses long term rentals?

Thorold, under By-law 109-2017, for most rental properties. We did not find a long term residential rental licence in the other eleven municipalities; several license short term rentals.

### Who do I call about water or sewer at a Niagara rental?

The local municipality. It distributes the water, bills for it and owns the local sewer mains. The Region treats the water and runs the trunk sewers and treatment plants behind them.

### Is there municipal water in Wainfleet?

No. Wainfleet has no municipal water or sewer, and properties run on private wells, cisterns and septic. A Region boil water advisory has covered the area south of the Trans Canada Trail since April 10, 2006.