Landscaper Regulatory Review

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.