Things you need to know about boulevard gardens

[guest]

If you walk through a residential neighbourhood and see flowers or planter boxes near the road, then you are probably looking at a boulevard garden. Residents are allowed to plant and maintain a garden in the City-owned boulevard next to their property without a permit.

Whether you already have one or want to install one, it’s important that you follow these regulations on boulevard gardens.

What is a boulevard?

The boulevard is a City-owned portion of land that extends from the edge of the road and onto every property. It’s part of the City right of way (ROW). The City uses this property for such things as above and belowground utilities and infrastructure, planting trees and snow storage.

The size and dimensions of boulevards vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. The City’s geoOttawa program can be a helpful guide to illustrate where the approximate boundary of the City’s ROW and your property is located.

You can learn more about residential boulevard gardens and the rules on ottawa.ca/rightofway.

Things to keep in mind

• Sidewalks and roadways must always remain clear and unobstructed. Don’t let plants overhang and don’t leave gardening tools or hoses where they can be a hazard.
• Residents can grow food in their boulevard garden, but consuming that food is done at your own risk. Ottawa Public Health has information on assessing where to grow food and how contaminants impact plants and gardens.
• Research what you want to plant. Noxious weeds and invasive species are not permitted in the boulevard, even though some can still be found at local nurseries and garden centres
• The maximum plant height (including raised garden bed or container height) is 1.0 metre and 0.75 metre for corner lots.
• Materials such as river rock, stones, concrete, brick and pavers are not allowed.
• 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.
• You can only install a garden in the boulevard directly next to your own property. If you want to plant in front of a neighbour’s property you need their written consent.

Containers

• Raised garden beds up to 45 centimetres in height are allowed and do not need to be removed in the winter if they meet the required setbacks from roads and sidewalks.
• Containers must be readily moveable if a need arises and need to be removed for winter to make room for snow removal.
• Temporary plant supports, such as a bean pole or tomato cage, are permitted in a boulevard garden if they do not pose a safety hazard to pedestrians or animals.
• Large architectural trellises and arbors are not permitted in a boulevard garden.

Risks

The City cannot guarantee the suitability of the boulevard for food production. Soil can sometimes be contaminated from former land uses or by the introduction of new contaminants due to the proximity to the roadway. You should review the considerations for growing food in the boulevard before you plant.

In the winter, the boulevard plays an important role in snow storage. Following heavy snowfalls, snowbanks may need to be removed, including on residential streets. Damage may occur to gardens due to winter operations. Make sure raised garden beds follow the guidelines to limit potential for damage.

By installing and maintaining a garden in the boulevard adjacent to your property, you assume full and sole responsibility for any bodily injury, property damage, or other harm that comes from it. This includes:

• Injury to anyone who may trip and fall in your garden
• illness to anyone who may eat plants from your garden
• lost or damaged plants
• lost or damaged containers or plant supports

The City and utilities are not responsible for protecting, repair, replacing or reinstating a boulevard garden damaged while doing work in the right of way. If you receive notice of planned work, use the contact information provided to discuss the impact to your garden and plan to temporarily re-home plants in advance.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Bluesky, X and Instagram.

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