City right-of-ways are important spaces that help keep our community services running safely and reliably. A right-of-way is the section of land next to the road used by the City for utilities and maintenance. These areas give the City access to utilities for repairs and upgrades and can extend into driveways or the space between front yards and sidewalks.

Under Section 89 of the City’s Land Use Bylaw, anything placed in a City right-of-way or boulevard area must be kept as turfgrass and free of landscaping materials including rock, edging, lighting, shrubs and decorative concrete unless approved by the City for boulevard gardening.

If property owners choose to place any features within the right-of-way or boulevard area, they do so at their own risk. While City crews work carefully and with respect to surrounding properties, normal City operations like snow removal may occasionally affect these areas and the City does not replace, or repair:

• Standard driveway finishes, including but not limited to asphalt, concrete, aggregate, rubber, sealants and other finishes.
• Decorative or upgraded materials, including but not limited to paving stones, stamped borders and decorative rock.
• Landscaping features, including but not limited to curbing, lights, edging and planters.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining or replacing these items if damaged.

To understand where a property line ends and a municipal right-of-way begins, residents can view approximate property lines online by using the Geographic Information System. The water shut-off valve (CC valve) is usually located near the property line, and anything between that point and the roadway is typically part of the City’s right-of-way.

Frequently asked questions