London, Ontario Yard By-laws: What Homeowners and Landlords Must Know
In London, Ontario, two by-laws set most of the outdoor rules for homes and rentals. The Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law (PW-15) caps lawn height at 20 cm, requires refuse and debris to be cleared, and requires open excavations to be fenced. The Property Standards By-law (CP-24) requires yards to be kept neat and tidy, dead or dangerous trees removed, and drainage and retaining walls maintained. A third rule many people miss: the Streets By-law forbids pushing snow from your property onto the road or sidewalk.
Whether you own your home, rent out a house near Western or Fanshawe, or manage a few rental units, these rules decide what the City can order you to fix and what it can do and bill to your property taxes. Here is a plain-language summary, organized by season, with a checklist at the end.
The Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law (PW-15)
London passed PW-15 in March 2024, replacing the older PW-9 by-law. According to the City's PW-15 page, key rules include:
Lawn height: grass must be kept at or below 20 cm (8 in).
Visibility triangles: vegetation at corners and driveway sightlines must be kept at or below 0.9 m, so drivers can see.
Prohibited plants: plants listed in Schedule A, such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed, must be removed.
Refuse: the by-law's definition of refuse includes soil, rocks, brush and inoperative vehicles. Stored refuse must be in covered containers and kept no longer than 14 days.
Excavations: open excavations must be enclosed by a barrier at least 122 cm high.
Who's responsible: "owner" includes an occupant aged 18 or older, so tenants can also be responsible.
Enforcement: if an order isn't followed, the City can do the work and add the cost to the property taxes.
The Property Standards By-law (CP-24)
The Property Standards By-law CP-24 sets minimum standards for buildings and yards. For outdoor spaces it requires that:
Yards be kept neat and tidy.
Weeds over 20 cm be removed.
Dead or damaged trees that create an unsafe condition be removed.
Overgrown hedges be dealt with.
Areas be regraded or covered to prevent erosion, and approved drainage and landscaping be maintained.
Retaining walls be kept in good repair, with a guard where a wall over 1 m high is next to a way in or out.
Driveways and walkways have a uniform surface.
For landlords, property standards orders are one of the most common enforcement tools, especially in neighbourhoods with many student rentals.
Snow rules for London properties
The Streets By-law (S-1) includes winter rules:
No pushing snow onto the street or sidewalk. Section 8.3 says no one may move snow or ice from private property onto a boulevard, sidewalk or roadway. The City can remove it and charge the owner through the tax roll.
Downtown sidewalks: owners on certain downtown streets must clear sidewalks next to their property by 10:00 a.m.
City sidewalk clearing: the City clears most sidewalks after a snowfall. Outside the downtown area, residents are encouraged but not required to shovel. Check the City's winter maintenance page for current service levels.
That rule matters for snow contractors too. A driveway plow that pushes snow across the road breaks the by-law, and the owner can get the bill.
A seasonal property maintenance calendar for London
Fall (now)
Clear leaves from lawns, beds and eavestroughs. See fall leaf cleanup in London.
Check for dead or damaged trees before winter storms.
Fix erosion and drainage problems while the ground is workable.
Fence any open excavation or unfinished project.
Haul away brush, old fencing, and construction debris.
Winter
Arrange snow clearing that keeps snow on your property.
Keep walkways, steps and entrances safe for tenants and visitors.
Watch for ice where downspouts discharge across walks.
Spring
Repair lawns damaged by salt, plows and snow mould.
Rake out winter debris and refresh mulch.
Check that grading still slopes away from the foundation.
Summer
Mow regularly; keep grass under 20 cm.
Trim hedges and keep corner sightlines clear.
Remove prohibited plants such as giant hogweed (with care, as its sap can burn skin).
Landlord vs. tenant: who does what?
Lawn under 20 cm: Who is responsible under the by-laws: Owner, and occupants 18+; Practical tip: Put mowing responsibility in the lease
Dead or unsafe trees: Who is responsible under the by-laws: Owner; Practical tip: Inspect yearly; tenants can't remove trees
Drainage and grading: Who is responsible under the by-laws: Owner; Practical tip: Fix before damage spreads to the building
Refuse and debris: Who is responsible under the by-laws: Owner, and occupants 18+; Practical tip: Schedule move-out cleanups
Snow onto the street: Who is responsible under the by-laws: Whoever moves the snow; Practical tip: Brief your snow contractor
Under PW-15, both owners and adult occupants can be held responsible. Leases should make clear who handles what, but the owner usually carries the final risk.
Grading, drainage and your neighbours
Drainage complaints are among the most common outdoor disputes between neighbours. CP-24 requires owners to maintain approved drainage and landscaping and to prevent erosion. In practice, that means:
Don't fill in or block swales between houses. They carry water for more than one lot.
Keep downspouts discharging onto your own property, away from the foundation and not onto a neighbour's yard or a walkway that will ice up.
Fix low spots and erosion before they spread, especially after a pool removal, a dead tree removal, or construction.
Check the approved lot grading plan before regrading. The City can provide it on request.
Our guide to lot grading in London explains the slopes to aim for and how to fix water that runs toward the house.
Retaining walls deserve a yearly look too. Leaning blocks, bulging sections and washed-out soil behind a wall are early signs of failure, and CP-24 requires walls to be kept in good repair.
How complaints and orders work
A neighbour or City staff report a problem through Service London (311 or 519-661-2489).
A by-law officer inspects and, if needed, issues an order with a deadline.
If the work isn't done, the City can hire a contractor and add the cost to the tax bill.
For enforcement questions, the City lists 519-661-4660 and enforcement@london.ca.
Property maintenance checklist
☐ Lawn under 20 cm all season
☐ Corner and driveway sightlines under 0.9 m
☐ No prohibited plants
☐ No piles of soil, rocks, brush or junk
☐ Inoperative vehicles removed
☐ Open excavations fenced to at least 122 cm
☐ Dead or unsafe trees removed
☐ Drainage and grading maintained; no erosion
☐ Retaining walls sound
☐ Driveway and walkways even and safe
☐ Snow kept on the property, not pushed onto the street
FAQ
How long can grass be in London, Ontario?
Under the Yard and Lot Maintenance By-law (PW-15), lawns must be kept at or below 20 cm (8 in).
Can I push snow onto the road in London?
No. The Streets By-law prohibits moving snow or ice from private property onto a boulevard, sidewalk or roadway. The City can remove it and charge the owner.
Is a tenant responsible for yard maintenance in London?
Under PW-15, "owner" includes occupants aged 18 or older, so tenants can be held responsible as well as owners. Leases should spell out who does what.
Do I have to remove a dead tree on my property?
London's Property Standards By-law requires dead or damaged trees that create an unsafe condition to be removed. Large trees may need a permit under the Tree Protection By-law.
What happens if I ignore a by-law order?
The City can complete the work itself and add the cost to the property's tax bill.
Keep your property compliant year-round
SPM Landscape & Excavation has offered property maintenance, landscaping and snow services in London since 2006. We are WSIB covered and carry $1 million in liability insurance. From fall cleanups and tree removal to grading fixes and snow clearing, see our services and testimonials, call (519) 474-0008, or email spmlandscape@gmail.com.
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