[picard102]

There is a natural garden by-law. It does not apply to city-maintained property at all.

In respect of private property, it permits an intentionally naturalized garden. There are some guidelines on what that means. It doesn't come with a specific plant list; but it is not a blanket pass for neglect.

The City absolutely have power to take action where it poses any risk to the public. That certainly includes sight lines, but is not limited to it. A woman was cited not so long ago for leaving a dead racoon carcass on her lawn.

In general, if a private owner keeps a clear edge/border (not necessarily mowed, just a defined limit such that the nature does not encroach the public ROW and there are no other issues with it from a public safety stand point, they will get fairly wide latitude.

Again, all of that is for a private lawn, not a City boulevard.

So I went to take a picture, and it seems like someone came and did something about it this afternoon, despite being told nothing could be done.

 

[Northern Light]

So I went to take a picture, and it seems like someone came and did something about it this afternoon, despite being told nothing could be done.

If it was private property, the normal procedure is to have someone from property standards (by-law) go out and look.

If they think the state is unacceptable, they write up an order to comply and it goes in the front door of the property owner, the time available to the owner can vary, but would typically be about two weeks for this type of issue.

Here's the procedure in writing from the City website:

In addition to the inspection fees and the cost of City crews mowing your lawn for you..........

From: https://www.toronto.ca/city-governm...ws/bylaw-enforcement/property-standards-keep/

This is the section for yards most likely to see enforcement:

There is also this:

This is the list of prohibited plants:

Turfgrass & Prohibited Plants

The Turfgrass and Prohibited Plants Bylaw requires all property owners or occupants to maintain their properties and ensure that health and safety requirements are met. Please be a good neighbour! Learn about the do’s and don’ts for your lawn and how to grow pollinator-friendly gardens. Cut...

www.toronto.ca

These are the penalties for the above by-law as opposed to Property Standards:

What it comes down to is this, you can do a natural garden, the City encourages that. But just letting turf grass grow long does not qualify.

You need to put in some work. But the City isn't prescriptive on what work, merely what doesn't.