London seeks to end the annual turf war over naturalized front yards

Proposed changes to the Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law would clarify rules for growing wildflowers and plants as an alternative to grass lawns.

Proposed changes to the Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law would clarify rules for growing wildflowers and plants as an alternative to grass lawns.

“There shouldn't be any legal question of whether someone is allowed to grow naturalized cover on their property, barring any health or safety concerns,” Brendon Samuels told the Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee on Tuesday.

Last year, Samuels urged city hall to modernize the by-law after receiving a complaint about his front yard of native plants, grasses and wildflowers.

After reviewing best practices from other municipalities, the updated by-law would permit naturalized yards to better reflect council’s goals and strategies around climate action, species diversification, and supporting pollinator habitats.

The report reads, “We sought to remove judgement from the regulation and enforcement of the by-law particularly around naturalized yards and to reduce the number of calls we receive regarding differences of opinion regarding yard aesthetics.”

Traditional turf grass lawns will have a maximum height of 20 centimetres (8 inches), but naturalized plantings will be permitted up to 0.9 metres (3 feet) within any corner visibility triangle or driveway visibility triangle.

All property owners must ensure the growth of their grassed or naturalized lawns do not create a public health and safety hazard, or a nuisance.