Summerside adopts permit system for vacant properties

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Anyone who owns a vacant residential or commercial building in Summerside is officially now required to get a permit if they want to keep it empty.

Council unanimously passed the city’s new Vacant

Building Bylaw at its June 20 monthly meeting. Property owners have 60 days from that date to bring their buildings into compliance.

The city decided to introduce the new bylaw as a way of dealing with a number of long-vacant and decaying buildings in the community.

The bylaw is meant to encourage owners of such properties to either develop them or sell them to someone who will. There are also clear mechanisms in the document for the city’s recourses, should a property owner fail to comply with the new rules– something that was gray area in the previous bylaw.

Anyone who doesn’t get a permit could face hefty fines of between $3,000 and $5,000 for individuals and $5,000 and $10,000 for corporations.

According to the document, permits cost $2,485 and are valid for four years.

In addition to paying the fee, owners need to properly secure the building against the weather and vandalism; for example, they could be asked to board up windows or install a security fence.

If the permitted property is occupied or sold before the four years is up, the owner will be refunded a portion of the fee.

The definition of a vacant property is any building that has not been occupied by the owner or someone authorized by the owner for more than 90 days.

That label would, generally, only apply to buildings intended for frequent human use, like homes or commercial buildings.

Properties exempt from needing a permit would be seasonal homes, farm outbuildings and structures with a valid demolition permit.

Anyone who believes they may need a permit can contact city hall for more details.