Vacant Building By-law

The Municipality of Huron East is committed to maintaining safe, attractive, and vibrant communities. The Vacant Building By-law, adopted October 6, 2026, is in place to help protect the character and vitality of neighbourhoods. Vacant buildings can negatively impact surrounding property values and discourage future investment within the community.

On this page:

1. What is a fully vacant building?
2. Vacant building registry
3. Owner responsibilities under the By-law
4. Fees
5. Penalties
6. Contact

What is a fully vacant building?

The Vacant Building By-law applies to property owners within the Municipality of Huron East who own commercial or industrial buildings that have been unoccupied or fully vacant for more than 120 consecutive days.

Vacant building registry

Property owners must register a fully vacant building with the Municipality and renew the registration annually for as long as the building remains vacant using the online registration form. 

Registration helps ensure fully vacant properties are properly maintained, secured, and monitored to reduce risks and support community well-being.

An inspection of the building by a Huron East Municipal Building Official will be required after the application has been submitted. Applicants will be contacted by Huron East staff with information on arranging the inspection.

Community Improvement Plan (CIP) grants are available to help building owners create rentable spaces.

Owner responsibilities under the By-law

Property owners are responsible for:

• Registering the vacant building with the Municipality within 120 consecutive days of the building becoming vacant
• Providing the name and contact information of a responsible agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner
• Maintaining the building and property in compliance with:
• Municipal Property Standards
• Safety and security regulations
• Applicable provincial legislation
• Paying all registration, renewal, and inspection fees as prescribed under the By-law

Registration must be renewed annually for as long as the building remains vacant.

Owners of vacant buildings are also required to:

• Secure the building against unauthorized entry
• Maintain up‑to‑date liability insurance on the property
• Shut off all utilities after the building has been vacant for more than 90 days, where required, to prevent unsafe conditions such as fire or flooding
• Provide the Municipality with:
• A current floor plan of the vacant building
• An inventory of all combustible materials and flammable liquids stored on the property

Fees

Fees are established through the Municipality’s Fees and Charges By-law:

• Initial registration fee: $450 (one-time)
• Annual renewal fee: $900 for each year the building remains vacant

Payment options:

• Cheque payable to the Municipality of Huron East (note: Vacant Building)
• Online payment by credit card through the online registration form

Penalties

Failure to comply with the Vacant Building By-law may result in penalties as outlined in the by-law.

Contact

For any questions, please contact the Building Department at 519-527-0160 ext. 31 or opsassistant@huroneast.com.