Boulevard Gardens Update

Council has expanded the gardening permissions for residents in the City-owned boulevard next to their property. While a permit is not required, there are safety considerations and rules to follow.

What’s new:

• Owners and tenants can replace the grass in the boulevard abutting residential property with an alternative groundcover that grows to 20cm. This includes in areas around a municipal tree, fire hydrant or on the slope of a ditch.
• Residents can plant food in their boulevard garden.
• Raised garden beds, containers and plant supports are allowed in some areas (details on ottawa.ca/rightofway)

Keep in mind:

• Utility locates are required (Ontario OneCall) and only hand-digging is permitted.
• Noxious weeds and invasive species are not permitted in the boulevard. The maximum plant height (including raised garden bed or container height) is 1.0 metre or 0.75 metre for corner lots.
• Materials such as river rock, stones, concrete, brick and pavers are not allowed in the boulevard.
• There are areas of the boulevard where you cannot plant a garden or place a raised garden bed or containers, including under municipal trees and within a ditch.
• The City cannot guarantee the suitability of the boulevard or the soil for food production, however there are appropriate ways to mitigate the risks.
• The City and utilities are not responsible for protecting, repair, replacing or reinstating a boulevard garden damaged while doing work.
• It is up to each resident to judge the suitability of their location and ability to maintain a garden before starting a gardening project.

Visit ottawa.ca/rightofway to learn more about residential boulevard gardens, the rules to follow, how to identify the boulevard next to your property and special considerations for growing food in this space.