Additional Considerations – Residential Gardening in ROW

In addition to the proposed regulations, residents must be aware of the following:

1. In accordance with provincial law, utility locates must be obtained for all ROW gardening projects and Little Free Library Installations by contacting Ontario OneCall Ontario One Call – Click Before You Dig.
2. Please remember that ROW lands are City owned property, with multiple utilities running underground. There may be ROW maintenance activities, aboveground or underground work taking place within the ROW.
3. No permit is required when a residential garden is planted in accordance with the proposed regulations.
4. Any person undertaking residential gardening within the City’s ROW does so at their own risk and that person is responsible for garden maintenance, upkeep and removal.
5. The City cannot guarantee the success of, nor will it maintain any residential garden within the ROW.
   1. Should the City, or a utility company require access to install, maintain or repair infrastructure, neither the City nor the utility company will be responsible for replacing or reinstating a residential garden.
   2. Upon receiving notice of any planned work within the right of way, residents should inquire about the work and take steps to remove any plantings if necessary.
6. Residents can inquire with the City and utility companies about opportunities to have the ROW reinstated with soil instead of grass or seed to allow the resident an opportunity to replant their ROW garden.
7. Where a residential ROW garden planted in accordance with the proposed regulations presents a safety, operational, or drainage issue, the City may require the alteration or removal of the residential garden by the resident.
8. If you are not the owner of the abutting residential property, make sure to get their written permission first before installing a garden within the ROW that abuts their property.