# Property maintenance in Oakville, heritage districts and Halton water

Updated 2026-10-02.

Oakville replaced its property standards in 2023. [By-law 2023-074](https://www.oakville.ca/getmedia/b44af0c8-dde1-4497-b505-c22da33519a3/bylaw2023074.pdf?ext=.pdf) has a part written for rental properties, and it gives the heating season in plain dates: September 1 to June 15.

## Heritage districts

Oakville has four [heritage conservation districts](https://www.oakville.ca/business-development/planning-development/heritage-planning/heritage-districts-properties/): 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](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/exterior/) and [painting](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/painting/).

## Halton runs the water, and pays for the basement

[Halton Region](https://www.halton.ca/for-residents/water-and-wastewater-services) 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](https://www.halton.ca/repository/basement-flooding-prevention-subsidy-application) 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](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/waterproofing/).

## Landlord programs from the Region

Halton's [rent supplement program](https://www.halton.ca/for-residents/housing-supports-and-services/services-and-information-for-landlords) covers eligible lost revenue on vacant rent supplement units, and the Region runs a free listing service, Halton Rent Connect.

## Reporting

Property standards and by-law issues go to ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or through its [online request form](https://oakvillecrm.my.site.com/ServiceOakville/s/select-a-request).

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](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/).

## 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](https://www.oakville.ca/getmedia/b44af0c8-dde1-4497-b505-c22da33519a3/bylaw2023074.pdf?ext=.pdf)
- 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)](https://www.oakville.ca/getmedia/0cd6f7c2-3f6c-4e08-a97a-b31b68d148c8/bylaw-2015-075-business-licensing-consolidated.pdf?ext=.pdf)
- 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](https://www.oakville.ca/town-hall/news-notices/2024-planning-public-notices-archive/notice-of-passing-for-proposed-official-plan-amendments-for-additional-dwelling-units-town-wide/)
- 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](https://www.halton.ca/repository/basement-flooding-prevention-subsidy-application)

## Related pages

- [Waterproofing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/waterproofing/)
- [Exterior and grounds](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/exterior/)
- [Property managers](https://roundhousegroup.ca/property-managers/)

## 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.