Landscaper Regulatory Review
Update #3 - 3 November 2025
On October 22, 2025, City Council approved a new business licensing requirement for hardscape contractors operating in the City of Ottawa. As of March 1st 2026, contractors performing hardscaping work will be required to obtain a business licence.
For more information about on the new regulation, please refer to the Council report and by-law at the link above or in the Important Links section on the right of the page.
Additional information will be included on the City’s business licence webpage in the coming months, including how to apply for a licence and a list of licensed hardscape contractors.
Prior to March 2026, staff will also be working toward releasing a landscaping education guide that will help residents and contractors understand the by-law and permit requirements that relate to landscaping work.
If you are a hardscaping contractor seeking more information on our review, please contact us at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca or at 613-580-2424, extension 29529. If you are seeking more information on how to apply for a licence, please contact businesslicensing@ottawa.ca or at 613-580-2424, extension 12735.
Thank you for your participation and interest in this review.
Update #2 - 7 October 2025
The final staff report and recommendation from this review is scheduled to be brought forward to Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee on Thursday 16 October 2025. The report and recommendation can be viewed here.
Update #1 - 3 July 2025
Thank you for your interest in the City’s Landscaper Regulatory Review. We received over 200 responses to the survey. Please visit the News Feed at the bottom of this page for more information.
Landscaping shapes how our neighbourhoods look and feel. Landscape contractors play an important role in creating and maintaining these spaces. The City of Ottawa has by-laws that apply to landscaping and the residents and contractors who do this work to ensure that projects are completed safely, responsibly, and in a way that respects neighbours, city infrastructure, and the environment.
City staff are conducting a review of the by-laws that relate to landscaping activity to consider:
- complaints and issues with non-compliant landscaping work (like unpermitted driveway widenings or storage of material on the road), and whether existing by-laws properly address these instances
- whether new by-laws and regulations may be required to fill gaps or clarify responsibilities, and
- opportunities for additional education about existing by-laws and permits for both landscape contractors and residents
By-laws related to landscaping
Several by-laws regulate landscaping activity in the City of Ottawa. Below is a list of the main landscaping-related by-laws and how they might apply. You can click on each by-law or visit the important links section of this page for more information.
- Fence By-law (2003-462): standards for the appearance, dimensions, and location of fences
- Noise By-law (2017-255): standards for the noise generated during construction
- Pool Enclosure By-law (2013-39): standards for enclosing pools, hot tubs or ponds
- Private Approach By-law (2003-447): standards and permit requirements when creating, altering or closing the portion of a driveway on City right of way
- Property Maintenance By-law (2005-208): standards for keeping the exterior of a property free of an accumulation of hazards and debris
- Property Standards By-law (2013-416): standards for buildings and property, including the maintenance of hedges, trees, pool, walkways and fences
- Road Activity By-law (2003-445): standards and permit requirements when occupying, cutting or excavating into the City right of way
- Right of Entry By-law (2005-326): permit system for temporary access to a neighbour’s land for the purpose of work on adjoining property
- Site Alteration By-law (2024-448): standards when altering surface drainage
- Site Plan Control By-law (2014-256): requirement to obtain approval for a site’s layout and design
- Tree Protection By-law (2020-340): standards for tree planting and permit requirements for City right of way and private property tree removal
- Use and Care of Roads By-law (2003-498): standards for the use of City right of way, including boulevard planting and maintenance
- Zoning By-law (2008-250): standards for private property driveway location and dimensions, front, side and rear yard use, accessory building location and dimensions and soft landscaping requirements
Understanding these by-laws
The City wants to make sure that both residents and contractors understand the by-laws and shared responsibilities that apply to landscaping projects.
Whether you have hired a landscape contractor or done the work yourself, have a future project planned, or even if you don’t have any landscaping experience or plans, your perspective matters!
Are you a landscape contractor who has not heard from us?
If you are a landscape contractor operating in Ottawa and have not yet had the chance to consult with us, please call or email us to provide your input on policy considerations. This opportunity will be available until Friday, June 20.
