Yard Maintenance By-Law Review
What are we doing?
As part of Hamilton's Biodiversity Action Plan , the City is reviewing and updating the Yard Maintenance By-Law to better support naturalized areas on private property, such as pollinator gardens, native plantings, and rewilded spaces.
This update is focused on clarifying rules around naturalized yards while continuing to manage yard maintenance standards and ensure public safety.
Key parts of this review include:
- Defining what counts as a "naturalized area" under the by-law
- Setting clear height limits for turfgrass species
- Exploring the addition of a list of nuisance weeds (in addition to the provincially mandated list under the Weed Control Act)
What is the Yard Maintenance By-law and why is it important?
The Yard Maintenance By-law is a set of rules that helps keep our city clean, safe, and healthy. It outlines how private yards should be cared for, things like cutting grass, managing weeds, and removing garbage or debris.
At the same time, we know more people are choosing to grow naturalized gardens with native plants and wildflowers to support pollinators, wildlife, and biodiversity. That’s why the City is updating the by-law, to make sure it supports greener choices while still keeping neighbourhoods safe and well cared for.
What are we looking to learn as part of this engagement?
We want to hear from you about:
- How the community defines and experiences naturalized yards
- Learn what encourages or holds people back from creating naturalized gardens
- Work together to define what “naturalized gardens” should mean in Hamilton’s context, what do these spaces look like, and why do they matter to you?
- Hear your thoughts on turfgrass, should there be height limits, and how should it be managed?
- Talk about noxious weeds, what’s already covered by the Weed Control Act, and what more might be needed locally
- Understand and address any concerns or common misunderstandings about what naturalized gardens are (and aren’t)
How can you participate?
We’re inviting community, gardeners, homeowners, and anyone interested in biodiversity to help shape these updates here on Engage Hamilton! Your input will help ensure the by-law reflects community values and supports a greener, more sustainable Hamilton.
What are we doing?
As part of Hamilton's Biodiversity Action Plan , the City is reviewing and updating the Yard Maintenance By-Law to better support naturalized areas on private property, such as pollinator gardens, native plantings, and rewilded spaces.
This update is focused on clarifying rules around naturalized yards while continuing to manage yard maintenance standards and ensure public safety.
Key parts of this review include:
- Defining what counts as a "naturalized area" under the by-law
- Setting clear height limits for turfgrass species
- Exploring the addition of a list of nuisance weeds (in addition to the provincially mandated list under the Weed Control Act)
What is the Yard Maintenance By-law and why is it important?
The Yard Maintenance By-law is a set of rules that helps keep our city clean, safe, and healthy. It outlines how private yards should be cared for, things like cutting grass, managing weeds, and removing garbage or debris.
At the same time, we know more people are choosing to grow naturalized gardens with native plants and wildflowers to support pollinators, wildlife, and biodiversity. That’s why the City is updating the by-law, to make sure it supports greener choices while still keeping neighbourhoods safe and well cared for.
What are we looking to learn as part of this engagement?
We want to hear from you about:
- How the community defines and experiences naturalized yards
- Learn what encourages or holds people back from creating naturalized gardens
- Work together to define what “naturalized gardens” should mean in Hamilton’s context, what do these spaces look like, and why do they matter to you?
- Hear your thoughts on turfgrass, should there be height limits, and how should it be managed?
- Talk about noxious weeds, what’s already covered by the Weed Control Act, and what more might be needed locally
- Understand and address any concerns or common misunderstandings about what naturalized gardens are (and aren’t)
How can you participate?
We’re inviting community, gardeners, homeowners, and anyone interested in biodiversity to help shape these updates here on Engage Hamilton! Your input will help ensure the by-law reflects community values and supports a greener, more sustainable Hamilton.
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Yard Waste By-Law - Helpful Information
Share Yard Waste By-Law - Helpful Information on Facebook Share Yard Waste By-Law - Helpful Information on Twitter Share Yard Waste By-Law - Helpful Information on Linkedin Email Yard Waste By-Law - Helpful Information linkYard Maintenance By-law Synopsis: The City of Hamilton’s Yard Maintenance By-law 10-118 is a by-law that regulates exterior property maintenance including vegetation, waste, and graffiti. Applies to all residents as they must keep their property free and clear of waste, ensure that grass and weeds do not exceed 21cm in height.
Property Use By-laws - Yard Maintenance and 10-118 Yard Maintenance By-law Search Page
Weed Control Act Synopsis: The provincial government of Ontario identifies noxious weed plants. The purpose of the Weed Control Act is to reduce the infestation of noxious weeds that negatively impact on agriculture and horticulture lands, to reduce plant diseases by eliminating plant disease hosts such as common barberry and European buckthorn, and to reduce health hazards to livestock and agricultural workers caused by poisonous plants.
- A noxious weed is a plant that has been listed in the Schedule of Noxious Weeds found in Regulation 1096 made under the Weed Control Act.
- In general, a species designated as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act is one that is difficult to manage on agricultural land once established and will reduce the yield and quality of the crop being grown, negatively affects the health and well-being of livestock, poses a risk to the health and well-being of agricultural workers
Government of Ontario site on Noxious Weeds: https://www.ontario.ca/page/noxious-weeds-ontarioNaturalized Area definition:
A naturalized area can generally be defined as an intentionally cultivated area in which a combination of native species of plants are deliberately implemented to produce ground cover and may consists of one or more species of wildflowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs and grasses or a combination of the above and is maintained by the owner or occupant.
Naturalized areas can consist of a combination of native plant species and non-invasive species of plants, shrubs, and trees in an area that thrive together. Naturalized areas are intentionally designed and maintained to directly support biodiversity by creating habitats and food sources for wildlife such as birds; pollinators, such as bees and butterflies; and other species that a turfgrass lawn does not. Naturalized areas have a positive impact to the environment over time as part of creating healthy ecosystems that through management will require less watering and fertilization efforts.
We are looking for further feedback on what a naturalized area means to residents of the City of Hamilton. A previous version of the Yard Maintenance by-law defined naturalized areas as: “a property or a portion of a property deemed a naturalized area, an area is deemed to be a naturalized area if the property or portion covered by vegetation is landscaped and maintained with a variety of flowers or plants, with or without grasses, or left to grow a variety of indigenous plants”.
Noxious Weeds definition: “In general, a species designated as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act is one that: is difficult to manage on agricultural land once established and will reduce the yield and quality of the crop being grown, negatively affects the health and well-being of livestock, poses a risk to the health and well-being of agricultural workers
Government of Ontario site on Noxious Weeds: https://www.ontario.ca/page/noxious-weeds-ontario
Invasive species: can be defined as “harmful species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. Invasive species can originate from other continents, neighbouring countries, or from other ecosystems within Canada”
Government of Canada’s Invasive Alien Species Strategy: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/ec/CW66-394-2004-eng.pdf
Turfgrass definition: Turfgrass can generally be defined as: "Ground cover of various perennial grasses grown for lawns, of a type that forms a dense, uniform turf if mown". A previous version of the Yard Maintenance By-law defined Turfgrass as: “ground cover comprised of one or more species of growing grass with or without trees, shrubbery or maintained planting beds for other vegetation”.
Ornamental plant definition: Means a plant deliberately grown for beautification, screening, accent, specimen, colour or other aesthetic reasons but does not include any variety of turf grass.
Yard Maintenance By-law Synopsis: The City of Hamilton’s Yard Maintenance By-law 10-118 is a by-law that regulates exterior property maintenance including vegetation, waste, and graffiti. Applies to all residents as they must keep their property free and clear of waste, ensure that grass and weeds do not exceed 21cm in height.
Property Use By-laws - Yard Maintenance and 10-118 Yard Maintenance By-law Search Page
Weed Control Act Synopsis: The provincial government of Ontario identifies noxious weed plants. The purpose of the Weed Control Act is to reduce the infestation of noxious weeds that negatively impact on agriculture and horticulture lands, to reduce plant diseases by eliminating plant disease hosts such as common barberry and European buckthorn, and to reduce health hazards to livestock and agricultural workers caused by poisonous plants.
- A noxious weed is a plant that has been listed in the Schedule of Noxious Weeds found in Regulation 1096 made under the Weed Control Act.
- In general, a species designated as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act is one that is difficult to manage on agricultural land once established and will reduce the yield and quality of the crop being grown, negatively affects the health and well-being of livestock, poses a risk to the health and well-being of agricultural workers
Government of Ontario site on Noxious Weeds: https://www.ontario.ca/page/noxious-weeds-ontarioNaturalized Area definition:
A naturalized area can generally be defined as an intentionally cultivated area in which a combination of native species of plants are deliberately implemented to produce ground cover and may consists of one or more species of wildflowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs and grasses or a combination of the above and is maintained by the owner or occupant.
Naturalized areas can consist of a combination of native plant species and non-invasive species of plants, shrubs, and trees in an area that thrive together. Naturalized areas are intentionally designed and maintained to directly support biodiversity by creating habitats and food sources for wildlife such as birds; pollinators, such as bees and butterflies; and other species that a turfgrass lawn does not. Naturalized areas have a positive impact to the environment over time as part of creating healthy ecosystems that through management will require less watering and fertilization efforts.
We are looking for further feedback on what a naturalized area means to residents of the City of Hamilton. A previous version of the Yard Maintenance by-law defined naturalized areas as: “a property or a portion of a property deemed a naturalized area, an area is deemed to be a naturalized area if the property or portion covered by vegetation is landscaped and maintained with a variety of flowers or plants, with or without grasses, or left to grow a variety of indigenous plants”.
Noxious Weeds definition: “In general, a species designated as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act is one that: is difficult to manage on agricultural land once established and will reduce the yield and quality of the crop being grown, negatively affects the health and well-being of livestock, poses a risk to the health and well-being of agricultural workers
Government of Ontario site on Noxious Weeds: https://www.ontario.ca/page/noxious-weeds-ontario
Invasive species: can be defined as “harmful species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. Invasive species can originate from other continents, neighbouring countries, or from other ecosystems within Canada”
Government of Canada’s Invasive Alien Species Strategy: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/ec/CW66-394-2004-eng.pdf
Turfgrass definition: Turfgrass can generally be defined as: "Ground cover of various perennial grasses grown for lawns, of a type that forms a dense, uniform turf if mown". A previous version of the Yard Maintenance By-law defined Turfgrass as: “ground cover comprised of one or more species of growing grass with or without trees, shrubbery or maintained planting beds for other vegetation”.
Ornamental plant definition: Means a plant deliberately grown for beautification, screening, accent, specimen, colour or other aesthetic reasons but does not include any variety of turf grass.
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Who's Listening
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AW
Email Aleah.Whalen@hamilton.ca
Custom
Engagement Level: Consult
Our Commitment: Staff will get your feedback on the project/initiative.
We promise to:
- Keep you informed.
- Listen to and acknowledge your concerns or hopes for the project.
- Provide feedback to you on how the input received was used to inform the project.
Key Dates
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June → July 2025
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June 2025
Project Timeline
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Public Engagement
Yard Maintenance By-Law Review is currently at this stageWe are seeking public input on shaping recommended updates to the By-Law.
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Report Back on What We Heard
this is an upcoming stage for Yard Maintenance By-Law ReviewWe will report back to community on what we heard and how it informed revisions to the By-Law.
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Report to Council for Decision
this is an upcoming stage for Yard Maintenance By-Law ReviewRecommendations informed by public engagement will be presented to Council for their consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you doing this engagement?
Licensing and By-law Services is undertaking this work as part of the City of Hamilton’s five-year Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Action 7.10 of the BAP directs staff to “Review and revise the Yard Maintenance By-law to clarify regulations related to naturalized areas of private yards”.
Licensing and By-law Services is seeking public feedback to inform how to incorporate naturalized spaces in private yards within the 10–118-yard Maintenance By-law.
What is Biodiversity?
The word ‘Biodiversity’ means the variety of life on earth. It refers to the diversity of all species within an ecosystem and the ways they interact with each other and their environment. Biodiversity is about the connection between all species, and how they depend on each other to survive. Ecosystems that have a high level of biodiversity are more resistant to long and short-term threats and are generally healthier and more resilient.
A Five-Year Biodiversity Action Plan for Hamilton, 2024
What is the Biodiversity Action Plan?
The Biodiversity Action Plan is a multi-agency initiative that guides strategic actions related to biodiversity improvement across the City. It outlines the actions by partner organizations that can be taken over the next five years to protect, restore, connect, and explore biodiversity in Hamilton.
What is a naturalized area?
A naturalized area can generally be defined as an intentionally cultivated area in which a combination of native species of plants are deliberately implemented to produce ground cover and may consists of one or more species of wildflowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs and grasses or a combination of the above and is maintained by the owner or occupant.
Naturalized areas can consist of a combination of native plant species and non-invasive species of plants, shrubs, and trees in an area that thrive together. Naturalized areas are intentionally designed and maintained to directly support biodiversity by creating habitats and food sources for wildlife such as birds; pollinators, such as bees and butterflies; and other species that a turfgrass lawn does not. Naturalized areas have a positive impact to the environment over time as part of creating healthy ecosystems that through management will require less watering and fertilization efforts.
We are looking for further feedback on what a naturalized area means to residents of the City of Hamilton. A previous version of the Yard Maintenance by-law defined naturalized areas as: “a property or a portion of a property deemed a naturalized area, an area is deemed to be a naturalized area if the property or portion covered by vegetation is landscaped and maintained with a variety of flowers or plants, with or without grasses, or left to grow a variety of indigenous plants”.
Where can I find the City of Hamilton Yard Maintenance By-law No. 10-118?
The link to the current version of the Yard Maintenance By-law No. 10-118 can be found here: Yard Maintenance By-law
What is the current role of the City of Hamilton Yard Maintenance By-law No. 10-118?
The current role of the City of Hamilton 10-118 Yard Maintenance By-law is to provide minimum property maintenance standards for private properties.
How are you using this information and what are the next steps?
The information received will be collected and used to inform any potential recommendations respecting amendments to the Yard Maintenance By-law No. 10-118 for naturalized areas. These recommendations will be summarized in the form of a formal report. The finalized formal report will then be brought to a Planning Committee meeting for a decision on the proposed recommendations.