What is Landscaping?
"Landscaping" means the enhancement of a property by the addition of:
- Soft landscaping - Trees, shrubs, turf, other vegetative plantings, or mulch.
- Hard landscaping - Decorative elements such as paving stones, landscaping rock, or stamped and colored concrete.
- Xeriscaping - A method of landscaping which uses native and drought-resistant plants and materials to make water efficient landscapes that require little or no irrigation or other maintenance.
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"Landscaping" does not include asphalt, gravel, loose aggregate, or monolithic concrete (large slabs).
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General upkeep
Required in residential districts: All yards that are visible from a road, except for portions of the yard that are not covered by an approved residential driveway, must be landscaped to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
A minimum of one tree per dwelling must be planted within the front yard, exterior side yard, or adjacent boulevard. At the discretion of the Development Authority, several shrubs may be planted in lieu of a tree.
Landscaping must be maintained on a regular basis. Dead trees or shrubs must be removed by the property owner within one year of discovery, or within one year of notification by the City.
For more details, view section 135 of the Land Use Bylaw #4853-2026.
Boulevard maintenance
Boulevard land is owned by the City, but it is the responsibility of adjacent property owners to maintain it. If there is a boulevard adjacent to your property, keep grass and shrubs trimmed, keep weeds to a minimum and keep it tidy. Boulevards must consist of only soft landscaping.
No trees located on a boulevard may be removed to accommodate a new driveway or off-street parking. Also, clearance must be maintained in the boulevard for automobile doors and around fire hydrants.
Be aware of UROWs
Only soft landscaping is allowed around a utility right-of-way (UROW). Trees or shrubs must be planted at least one metre away. No structures are allowed within a UROW. This includes concrete driveways or patios, buildings of any kind, fences, retaining walls, decks, pools, hot tubs, ponds, fire pits, affixed play structures, etc.
If you are uncertain whether or not there is a UROW on your property, you can check the site plan for your property, you may purchase a Real Property Report or you can contact us.
Keep sight lines clear
Landscaping must not block sight lines for vehicles or pedestrians within 1 metre (3'-3") from the back of the sidewalk (or from the back of the curb if there is no sidewalk). No fence, tree, landscaping element or other obstruction is allowed within 0.9 meters (2'-11") and 2.5 meters (8'-2") from ground level.
View diagram: Corner Visibility Triangle
Watch out for underground lines
Puncturing an underground service line could cause an inconvenient delay, or be life threatening. Check for the location of underground utilities before you start digging. Locates are free of charge but require three days notice.
To obtain line locates, visit Line locates
Do not remove survey markers
Boundary markers are one-meter long metal pins inserted in the ground at the intersection of property lines. It is illegal to remove or tamper with these markers.
Learn more by visiting Alberta Land Surveyors' Association site: Boundary markers
Do not infringe on adjacent properties
It is not allowed to cross any property line with development activities or landscaping. This applies regardless of whether the neighbouring property is privately-owned land or City-owned land.
Moving City infrastructure is costly
If you wish to relocate a service line or meter to allow for the development of a structure, you are responsible for the cost. Before applying for a Development Permit, contact the appropriate service department to ask whether the relocate is possible, what costs are involved and timeline.
To submit a request to relocate a piece of City electric infrastructure, visit Electric Applications
