- Keep the garden no taller than 45 cm.
- Don't plant trees, shrubs or bushes.
- Don't plant prohibited plants: any plant that can grow taller than 45 cm, plants with thorns or sharp foliage, weeds as defined by Ontario's Weed Control Act, and invasive species as described in Canada's Plant Protection Act.
- Keep the garden maintained, not neglected.
Boulevard Gardens
The boulevard is the strip of Town land between your property line and the road. It includes landscaped areas and any driveway apron, but not the sidewalk, curb or gutter.
You do not need an encroachment agreement to plant a garden on the boulevard next to your residential property, if it meets the boulevard garden requirements in the Town's Encroachment By-law. This webpage explains where you can plant, what you can plant, and how to keep your garden compliant.
Planting a Boulevard Garden
Property owners and occupants can plant a boulevard garden on the boulevard directly next to their residential property. Where there is a sidewalk, this includes the area between the sidewalk and the property line. Keep your garden:
- at least 90 cm from any adjacent sidewalk
- at least 90 cm from any adjacent curb or shoulder
- at grade (level) with any adjacent sidewalk
- out of ditches, shoulders, stormwater management facilities, sidewalks and the road, with nothing overhanging them
Your garden must also meet the requirements below for plants, soil and materials, and safety and access:
- Cover the garden with soil, topsoil or mulch only.
- Don't add garden walls or hard landscape features, such as retaining walls, decorative rocks or boulders, pavers, concrete, bricks, stones or statues.
- Don't let soil, mulch or other materials touch the trunk or base of a boulevard tree.
- Don't block the view of drivers or pedestrians, traffic sightlines, or any traffic sign or traffic control device.
- Don't block Town operations, such as snow ploughing, Town tree maintenance, or repair and maintenance of Town infrastructure.
- Keep clear access to fire hydrants, post office boxes and any Town, County or utility provider installations.
- Make sure your garden doesn't cause damage or injury to anyone or anything.
- Follow all other Town by-laws, including getting any required permits or approvals.
Non-Compliant Boulevard Gardens
Only owners or occupants with a boulevard garden that does not meet the requirements above should apply for an encroachment agreement with the Town. For more information, contact Service Midland at service@midland.ca.