Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law

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.
   

• 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.

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

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Glossy buckthorn
Frangula alnus

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Creeping (field) thistle
Cirsium arvense
 

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Dog-strangling vine
Vincetoxicum rossicum

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Black dog-strangling vine
Vincetoxicum nigrum

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Garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata

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Giant hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum

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Bohemian knotweed
Reynoutria x bohemica

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Japanese knotweed
Reynoutria japonica

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Phragmites, non-native
Phragmites australis

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Poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicans

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Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria

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Common ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia

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Wild parsnip*
Pastinaca sativa

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*Excludes edible varieties

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.

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.

• 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.