The Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law (PW-15) was enacted in 2024 and requires property owners to keep their land safe for the public, appropriately store and remove refuse, remove and stop the growth of prohibited plants, and remove graffiti from buildings and structures, among other things.
The by-law is enforced by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers who respond to complaints and in some cases act proactively. Officers can inspect properties, issue orders to fix violations, impose fines, or take legal action against property owners who do not comply. Where property owners fail to comply with orders the City can have the work done at the owner's expense.
One major change is the alignment of the by-law with the City’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which encourages the planting and maintenance of diverse, resilient, native plant species and gardens to help slow the effects of climate change.
The by-law is not intended to manage the aesthetics of gardens, especially where vegetative growth or a garden has been intentionally cultivated.
What you must do
Keep Your Land Clean and Safe
- Use rigid, watertight containers with tight lids when storing trash, and regularly remove all trash and refuse from the property.
- Remove graffiti from structures.
- Make sure there are no public health or safety hazards.
Maintain Lawn and Gardens
- If you choose to have a lawn, keep the grass cut to a minimum of 20 cm (8 inches) in height.
- Do not allow gardens and vegetation to exceed 0.9 m (3 feet) in height near intersections and driveways to maintain safety when turning corners, and entering or exiting a driveway.
- Remove prohibited plants and ensure nothing growing on your property creates a health or safety hazard.
Maintain Outdoor Furniture and Pools
- Keep outdoor furniture clean and in good repair.
- Ensure pool water does not become a health hazard or a place for animals to breed.
What you can't do
- Do not throw or deposit trash on any land without permission.
- Do not leave excavations open without a temporary barrier.
- Do not obstruct officers enforcing the by-law.
- Do not fail to observe the details of a work order.
Prohibited plants in naturalized gardens
A naturalized yard consists of native plants and is designed to support pollinators and the environment. Yard naturalization reduces the amount of turfgrass and helps create a natural landscape with plants native to the region.
Here are some plants that are prohibited:
Common buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Glossy buckthorn
Frangula alnus
Creeping (field) thistle
Cirsium arvense
Dog-strangling vine
Vincetoxicum rossicum
Black dog-strangling vine
Vincetoxicum nigrum
Garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Giant hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Bohemian knotweed
Reynoutria x bohemica
Japanese knotweed
Reynoutria japonica
Phragmites, non-native
Phragmites australis
Poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Common ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Wild parsnip*
Pastinaca sativa
*Excludes edible varieties
Are ‘naturalized yards’ permitted in London?
Yes, naturalized yards and gardens are permitted and supported in London. However, these spaces must be intentionally cultivated and maintained while adhering to the requirements of the PW-15 by-law. This includes removing prohibited plants and maintaining visibility at corners and driveways for public safety, among other considerations.
Furthermore, while the City of London endorses the Nature Lives Here lawn sign campaign, the presence of a lawn sign does not imply compliance with City by-laws nor prevent enforcement action if necessary to ensure by-law requirements are met.
For more information on planting and maintaining naturalized yards pleas visit: Climate action at home.
Exemptions
The By-law does not apply to:
- City lands and parks
- Natural bodies of water.
- Trees
- Normal farm practices as per The Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998
- Active construction sites with valid permits.
- Lawful outdoor storage that complies with the Zoning by-law.
Consequences of violating the by-law
- Officers can inspect properties and issue orders to fix violations.
- You may be penalized, fined, or charged under the by-law.
- The City may do the required work, at your expense, if you don't comply.
This summary page simplifies key points from the by-law, helping you understand your responsibilities and the regulations you need to follow. However, this page should not be used a substitute for the By-law itself.