Proposed new rules for front yard gardens in Ottawa to allow planting food

(Source: Freepik)

Ottawa gardeners will be allowed to grow fruits and vegetables in boulevard gardens, under proposed changes to gardening rules in the municipal right-of-way.

In a report for the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting on March 27, staff recommend amending the Use and Care of Roads Bylaw to allow residents to plant and maintain food in a garden in the right-of-way in front of their property. To address concerns about the quality of the soil in the boulevard, the city will allow the use of raised garden beds and containers for growing food.

In 2023, Council approved changes to the bylaw to allow residents to plant a garden in their front yard within the right-of-way on city property. The rules allow “soft landscaping” with no pavers or gravel, and no noxious weeds, invasive species or vegetables, fruit, herbs and seeds in the garden. Plants can only reach a maximum height of 75 cm and residents can only hand dig the area to plant their gardens.

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Council also directed staff to look into allowing food to be grown in the right-of-way and speaking with Public Health Ontario.

In the report for the committee, staff say there is no “universal approach to planting food or allowing garden beds in boulevard gardens,” and the city should allow it.

“It was found that growing food in a boulevard garden is feasible and is generally permitted,” staff say.

Staff recommend updating the Use and Care of Roads Bylaw to allow residents to plant and maintain a garden in the boulevard “abutting their residence to have the option to include plants they intend to consume.”

“In addressing the matter of growing food, staff recognize there are benefits and risks associated with allowing food to be grown in the residential boulevard,” the report says. “Removing restrictions increases access to food and plant diversity which has environmental benefits.”

Under the proposed rules, residents would be allowed to install a “raised garden bed” to a maximum height of 0.45 metres within or to contain a boulevard garden, but the garden bed could not be built with concrete, stone or similar materials. Raised garden beds would need to be 1.5 metres from the roadway edge and 0.6 metres from the edge of the sidewalk on the boulevard.

For residents growing tomato plants or other larger plants, staff recommend plant supports be limited to a “temporary pole or frame, such as a tomato cage.”

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Staff say the main health concern and the risk to residents for growing food in the boulevard is the “unknown quality of the soil.”

“The mitigation measure routinely cited when soil contaminants are a concern is soil testing and the use of raised garden beds or containers. It is not operationally feasible for the City to conduct soil testing on the boulevard citywide to provide data to residents,” the report says.

“Likewise, the cost of certified lab testing is cost prohibitive for most residents. The proposed amendments will allow for the use of raised garden beds and containers to address potential risks from soil contamination. Staff recommend providing enhanced public information and guidance over strict regulation regarding food, allowing for more residents to participate based on their individual needs, budget and capacity to maintain a garden.”

The City of Ottawa conducted a survey through Engage Ottawa to discuss allowing food to be planted in the right-of-way. Staff said there was a “high level of support” for expanding residential boulevard gardening to include food.

Here is a look at the proposed rules for growing food in boulevards

• Staff recommend residents planting and maintaining a garden in the boulevard may grow food.
• Residents may install a raised garden bed to a maximum height of 0.45 metres for a boulevard garden. Staff say, “It is recommended that materials such as concrete or stone that would damage equipment not be permitted as an added measure.”
• Raised garden beds must be 1.5 metres from the roadway edge and 0.6 metres from the closest edge of the sidewalk. Raised garden beds will be prohibited on the boulevard between a sidewalk and the roadway.
• Residents can install moveable containers in a boulevard garden, including on some inner urban roads where there is only a boulevard between the sidewalk and the road.
• Plant supports within a garden on the right-of-way will be limited to a temporary pole or frame, such as a tomato cage.