Served Oakville
Property maintenance in Oakville, heritage districts and Halton water
Oakville replaced its property standards in 2023. By-law 2023-074 has a part written for rental properties, and it gives the heating season in plain dates: September 1 to June 15.
Checked 2026-10-02
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Coverage
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Heritage districts
Oakville has four heritage conservation districts: Old Oakville, First and Second Street, Trafalgar Road and Downtown Oakville. Exterior work on a rental inside one, from windows to a porch rebuild, is checked against the district before it is scoped. See exterior repairs and painting.
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Halton runs the water, and pays for the basement
Halton Region owns the water and wastewater system, so a watermain break or sewer backup goes to 311 or 905-825-6000, not the Town. The Region's flooding subsidy pays up to $6,500 for a weeping tile disconnection with a sump pump, and each measure is paid once per property. When a backup is traced to the lateral, the drain contractor's camera clip goes with the subsidy application. See basement leaks and waterproofing.
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Landlord programs from the Region
Halton's rent supplement program covers eligible lost revenue on vacant rent supplement units, and the Region runs a free listing service, Halton Rent Connect.
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Reporting
Property standards and by-law issues go to ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or through its online request form.
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.
To send an Oakville job, request work.
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Local rules
In rental units, heat is provided from September 1 to June 15 so every habitable room reaches at least 20 C, measured 1.5 m above the floor and 1 m from exterior walls (section 38(3) of Property Standards By-law 2023-074). The rule does not apply where the tenant controls the temperature and can reach 20 C (section 38(4)), and a portable heater cannot be the primary heat (section 38(5)).
Source: Town of Oakville, Property Standards By-law 2023-074
Lodging houses, where people are lodged for rent with or without meals, are licensed under Schedule 20 of the Business Licensing By-law 2015-075. Ordinary rented apartments and houses are not covered by that licence.
Source: Town of Oakville, Business Licensing By-law 2015-075 (consolidated)
Since May 6, 2024, a property with a detached house, semi or townhouse can hold up to three dwelling units, where zoning allows, under Zoning By-laws 2024-051 and 2024-052. A building permit is required.
Source: Town of Oakville, Notice of passing for additional dwelling units
Halton Region's basement flooding subsidy pays, once per property: 100 percent up to $6,500 for weeping tile disconnection with a sump pump, 100 percent up to $6,500 for an exterior storm drain disconnection, 100 percent up to $900 for downspout disconnection, 50 percent up to $4,000 for wastewater lateral lining or repair, and 50 percent up to $1,600 for a backwater valve.
Source: Halton Region, Basement flooding prevention subsidy application
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Common services in Oakville
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Questions
When is heat required in an Oakville rental?
From September 1 to June 15, at 20 C in habitable rooms, under section 38(3) of Property Standards By-law 2023-074, unless the tenant controls the temperature and can reach 20 C.
Does Oakville license rental houses?
Not as ordinary rentals. Oakville licenses lodging houses under Schedule 20 of Business Licensing By-law 2015-075, and short term accommodations under a separate by-law.
Who pays to protect an Oakville basement from flooding?
Halton Region, not the Town, runs the subsidy. It pays up to $6,500 for weeping tile disconnection with a sump pump and half of a backwater valve up to $1,600, among other measures.
How many units can an Oakville house have?
Up to three on a property with a detached house, semi or townhouse, where zoning allows, since the zoning by-laws passed May 6, 2024.
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