FAQs

This term refers to the City-owned portion of a piece of land classified as a highway under the Municipal Act. In the Use and Care of Roads By-law (By-law No. 2003-498) the term highway is what is otherwise known as the right of way (ROW). In addition to the asphalt roadway, the ROW includes the shoulder, sidewalks and boulevard. The ROW has many important functions including public mobility, space for boulevard trees, above and underground utilities and infrastructure, mailboxes, OC Transpo stops and snow storage. The City's geoOttawa program can be a helpful guide to illustrate where the approximate boundary of the City’s ROW is located.

The boulevard is the portion of the City-owned right of way (ROW) that is not the roadway, shoulder or sidewalk. A general misconception is that the boulevard only exists when there is a sidewalk or that only the portion between the curb and sidewalk is the boulevard. In actuality, the boulevard can be continuous or separated by a sidewalk. When separated, the boulevard is the municipal land on both sides of the sidewalk. While usually grass, the boulevard may also be a hard surface. The City’s geoOttawa program can be a helpful guide to illustrate where the approximate boundary of the City’s ROW is located.

The edge of a sidewalk / roadway, or end of a front lawn usually does not delineate private property boundaries. The City’s right of way usually extends onto front lawns and this area is typically used to install utility infrastructure. Utility infrastructure will be installed within the right of way or on existing easements on private property. To see your approximate property boundaries and the location of the right of way abutting it, visit geoOttawa and input your property address.

No. Residential boulevard gardens are planted and maintained by individual property owners or tenants. While a community association may request permission for a gardening project in the City-owned boulevard, the project scope is for beautification and naturalization. A community garden is a shared space where people work together to grow food and build community. For information on how to join or start a community garden, visit the community gardens page.