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.