Illegal home construction and renovations by “rogue builders” in Mississauga has prompted the City to send a letter to Queen’s Park and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to demand the Ontario Building Code be strengthened through increased penalties and enforcement.

Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras said she has been hearing several complaints about major renovations and even entire homes being built without any building permits or other appropriate licenses.

“It’s showing a blatant disregard to neighbours, the safety of the workers and to our own by-laws,” she said.

Ras said by-law officers are often handcuffed in enforcing the rules by the homeowner’s refusal to allow them access to the home for inspection and even if penalties are imposed, the builders are “using the court system to get delays.”
“They’re working the system and we need to do something.”

City Solicitor Andra Maxwell admitted the right-to-enter laws pertaining to by-law officers are limited to safety issues, which are only effective with exterior construction projects, but said there are some measures available for the City, such as liens placed on the homes which have to be settled before the home is sold.

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