Greater Napanee council has approved two new by-laws aimed at improving safety and oversight for rooming houses and group homes in the community.
The new Rooming House By-law introduces a licensing system that requires annual inspections by the town’s fire department and property standards staff. The inspections are meant to ensure buildings meet fire and safety codes.
Council also adopted a Group Home By-law that creates a municipal registry of group homes. The registry will help the town improve emergency response planning by identifying where these facilities are located.
“The creation of these two new by-laws will provide the Town of Greater Napanee an opportunity to regulate these types of facilities within our community,” said Mayor Richardson. “It will assist in making our community safer for those residing within those facilities, and the neighbourhoods they serve.”
The town says education and voluntary compliance will take place throughout 2026. Full enforcement of both by-laws will begin in 2027.
A staff report and draft versions of the by-laws were presented to council in December and are available online. A dedicated webpage is expected to launch later this year.
Written by Emily Chatwood
