City committee approves motion loosening landscaping bylaw

Ottawa Interlock Repair performing landscaping work on a property in 2025. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa’s emergency preparedness and protective services committee has approved a motion that would loosen some of the requirements of a new bylaw that requires people doing hardscaping work to have a city-issued licence.

As of March 1, contractors that perform work on outdoor structural elements likes driveways, walkways and decks are required to be licensed by the city. The licence is valid until Oct. 31 and must be renewed annually.

The bylaw has faced pushback from business owners in the landscaping industry, who say it will add costs and regulatory burdens, which could mean more expensive fees and longer wait times for customers.

A motion presented by Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill, who is the committee’s vice-chair, outlines two new exceptions to the kind of work that would fall under the bylaw, such as the temporary removal or reinstatement of some hard landscaping features as part of a different construction project (if it is not offered as a standalone service), and the performance of minor repairs or installations. The motion would also allow businesses with post office boxes to receive documentation required for licensing and it eliminates the requirements for signage lettering being at least 15 cm tall on business vehicles.

“What this is achieving is balancing the needs of the city and the purposes and the spirit of the original existing bylaw with the application so that it doesn’t inadvertently harm the landscaping industry in a way that is inappropriate,” Hill said.

Committee agreed to suspend the rules to allow the motion to come up Thursday, given the start of landscaping season.

“Normally, a member would give notice of motion, and we would deal with it with a month later. But given that the landscaping season has started, we recognize the importance of dealing with this today,” said committee chair Coun. Riley Brockington.

Lindsey Ross, owner of Living Green Landscaping, told the committee allowing businesses with P.O. boxes is a needed change.

“Canada Post does not deliver to my address. A P.O. box is not a workaround for me; it is my mailing address. Without today’s motion, that fact alone would place me in contravention of the requirements for the licence I am otherwise happy to be compliant with. The same is true for contractors across the rural villages,” he said.

Jonathan Gilman, owner of Ottawa Interlock Repair, said he and other members of his industry wanted to do more than push back, they wanted to work with the city to establish a better framework.

“Over the past several weeks, we have worked with hardscapers, other tradespeople, city staff and councillors, to develop the motion before you today,” he said. “That process, that conversation, is exactly what should have happened from the beginning, and it is exactly what we want more of.”

Gilman said there are other parts of the bylaw he would like to see changed, but called Thursday’s motion a first step, and urged more collaboration between the city and businesses.

In a memo sent Wednesday, Bylaw Director Roger Chapman said the city is taking an education-first approach during the initial implementation of the bylaw.

“Staff will work with operators to achieve compliance before pursuing enforcement action, where appropriate. The goal is to bring operators into compliance, not to penalize those making good-faith efforts,” he wrote.

Chapman says the bylaw is intended to protect homeowners and support reputable businesses, and the city is working with the industry to continue to refine communications and guidance.

“Homeowners remain responsible, but licensed contractors must help inform them. Licensed contractors must inform clients about permits and requirements, but homeowners remain ultimately responsible for compliance,” he said.

The motion will be brought to city council on April 22.

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