Yard Maintenance By-law

The Yard Maintenance By-law is designed to deal with exterior property general conditions.

The following are highlights from the by-law based on popular topics. Please refer to full Yard Maintenance By-law (PDF) for a full list of regulations.

Ground Cover

Ground cover includes, but is not limited to, grass, weeds, plant materials, gravel, patios and parking areas that minimize soil/material erosion and/or the accumulation of mud. Except as outlined below, property owners shall cut and maintain the ground cover on their lands to a height not greater than 15 centimeters (6 inches).

Exceptions

1. On vacant land, property owners shall cut and maintain the ground cover to a height not greater than 30 centimeters (12 inches). 
2. The height of ground cover need not be maintained in:
    
   • areas zoned open space, environmental protection or agricultural under the City’s Zoning By-law
   • natural gardens
   • land more than 100 meters in any direction from any land that is developed
   • City-owned parks and open spaces identified in the City’s Naturalization Policy

Unsafe Conditions

Property owners shall:

• keep their property clear of objects or conditions that create or might create a health, fire or accident hazard.
• remove snow and ice from the roofs of their building(s) that pose a health or safety hazard to persons or property in the normal use of adjacent walkways, driveways, parking areas and entrances to the building(s).

Waste Material & Inoperable Vehicles

Property owners shall:

• maintain their property clear of all waste material.
• maintain their lands clear of all inoperable vehicles except where the zoning by-law permits a related land use.
• store household waste in rigid containers with secure lids when stored outdoors and household waste shall not be stored in the front yard of a residential property where the property has a garage, side yard or designated storage facility.
• remove domestic animal waste from their lands so as to minimize significant accumulation.

Landscape & Trees

Property owners shall:

• maintain all hedges, bushes and shrubs on their lands from becoming overgrown and unkempt.
• remove all dead, decayed or damaged trees and branches so as to make the tree safe and sound.
• maintain all landscape features on their lands in good repair.
• remove snow and ice from exterior walkways, steps, landings and ramps, and from exterior driveways and parking areas that pose a health or safety hazard to persons on their lands.

All hedges, shrubs, trees or other plants shall be planted and maintained in a manner that does not:

• obstruct the safety of the public.
• constitute an obstruction of view for vehicular traffic.
• affect the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
• overhang or encroach upon any pavement, sidewalk or travelled portion of any street or highway.