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Watch out for sight lines! Guelph now has a City Lands Encroachment By-law regulating boulevards and front yard gardens. Use low-growing plants on your boulevard and at the edge of your front yard (especially if you live on a corner lot). Refer to the bylaw for details.
If your boulevard is large enough for trees, avoid planting conifers (such as spruces, pines, firs, etc.) which can block views of roads and sidewalks.
Be cautious when working on your boulevard garden. Work from the sidewalk side and make sure children are supervised.
Avoid using pesticides or fertilizers. Boulevards are right by the sidewalk and the road where it is much easier for run-off and drift to occur, and for people to get pesticides on their shoes.
If you include rocks in your garden design make sure they will not interfere with road or sidewalk maintenance by making sure they are below the sidewalk level (again, refer to the bylaw).
If you need to accommodate foot traffic or parking, you may want to include pathways as part of your garden design. View the pictures of our Club members for ideas.
If you are concerned about whether your garden contravenes the bylaw, we advise checking to make sure your plants are not blocking site lines for vehicles or access for pedestrians. As long as plantings are within the required height restriction and do not block the sidewalk, you are within compliance of the Encroachment Bylaw.
If you do receive a letter from the city and wish for further advice please contact us.
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