Comments and questions can also be provided by email, telephone, or mail using the contact information below:

Occasionally nuisance trees and vegetation grows in the back lanes by either being self-seeded or a volunteer tree from an adjacent private property. Trees and vegetation in back lanes have never been planted by the City and they are not included as part of the City’s tree inventory.

Existing bylaws, such as the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw and the Traffic Bylaw do not require property owners to maintain tree and vegetation growth in back lanes. While 95% of the complaints received are resolved by property owners who then maintain their portion of the back lane, clear expectations on addressing overgrown nuisance trees and vegetation in back lanes helps ensure that pedestrian and vehicle mobility is not impeded, slight lines issues are avoided, and that garbage pick-up (where applicable) is not impacted.

The City will continue to be responsible for trees near powerlines or those that are posing an immediate hazard to ensure the safety of the community and our urban forest.

In 2021, City Council directed City Administration to report on options for a potential bylaw and suggested operational changes for the maintenance of overgrown nuisance trees and vegetation in back lanes on residential and commercial properties. As part of that process the City is exploring options to improve on and raise awareness of overgrown nuisance trees and vegetation in back lanes.

The options we are exploring include:

• Raising public awareness through a targeted education campaign
• Developing bylaw regulations to require residents to maintain and manage overgrown nuisance trees and vegetation within the back lane adjacent to their properties
• Centralizing the process of responding to, collecting information on, completing inspections, and arranging for the completion of work to one City department