Gravenhurst council has approved a new Vacant Building and Land Registry Bylaw aimed at tackling long-standing concerns about empty and neglected properties in the community’s core.
The bylaw requires owners of vacant buildings and land to register their properties with the Town and meet specific maintenance standards. Officials say the move is intended to improve the appearance and safety of underused spaces—particularly in the downtown area.
The policy stems from concerns raised during a deputation at a Committee of the Whole meeting in June 2025, which highlighted the deteriorating “look and feel” of parts of the downtown. Staff were directed to develop options, with a draft bylaw later refined following a working session in February 2026.
Under the new rules, property owners will be given a 90-day grace period focused on education and compliance before enforcement begins within the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) area. After that, penalties escalate quickly for those who fail to register or maintain their properties.
Initial registration will cost $1,000 per vacant unit or parcel, rising to $3,000 in year one and $5,000 in year two. Failure to register could result in fines starting at $2,500, increasing to $5,000 if not paid promptly. Additional infractions—such as failing to meet maintenance standards like window coverings or exterior upkeep—carry $1,500 fines per violation.
Properties left vacant for more than two years may face further action, including potential court proceedings, tax measures, or even expropriation, subject to council direction.
The Town’s Economic Development Division will lead outreach efforts, including direct contact with property owners and the launch of an online registry system. Enforcement of property standards will continue on a complaint basis, with repeat problem properties flagged for council review.
Town officials say the bylaw is designed to encourage redevelopment while preserving the character of Gravenhurst’s downtown.
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Way to go Gravenhurst!
It’s about time that this has been addressed!
Empty buildings are an eyesore, unsafe, and loose property value if empty and not being maintained.
Perhaps incentives can be put in place to encourage the owners of these empty buildings to bring them up to standards.
I hope the towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville are also addressing this problem!
How are they increasing fines for this when no one has money to open up a business and that’s why these businesses are still the way they are how is graving her so stupid when it comes to these things all of these people need a swift kick right in the rear end and wake up it is really not hard to see what is happening here how can you increase fines for empty buildings when nobody has any money to fill those empty buildings what in the world Gravenhurst what are you doing??!?!??!!?
Great news. Love to see positive news from our elected officials. Cheers.
Redevelopment in this economy? Town council, is this a late April fools joke?