With winter coming to an end, the city’s By-law Enforcement Division wants to send a friendly reminder of what to be mindful of as City residents shift from snow clearing to preparing their yards for the spring and summer seasons.
Drainage
The first big melt often causes an accumulation of dirt and water on all properties. As the weather gets warmer, large amounts of snow melt may pool on lawns, driveways, and walkways. The City’s Property Standard’s By-law regulates drainage from one private property to another when it is caused by a downspout facing and actively draining onto a neighbouring property. We ask residents to be patient as the snow melt and spring rain causes temporary pooling in low-lying areas.
Tidying and Upkeep
Melting snow also leads to uncovering items left in yards. Often residents are in the process of clearing their yards for winter when the snowfall comes. While it is normal to notice items reappear in the yard after the big melt, residents are asked to keep yards clear of waste material. Some examples of waste include:
· Garbage
· Accumulation of grass clippings
· Vehicle parts
· Appliances
· Animal waste
· Cardboard
· Any other discarded/unused materials
Grass and Weeds
With the spring shift from cold temperatures to warm and rainy weather, grass and weeds that were under the snow experience higher volumes of growth. While this is a normal process that comes with changing seasons, residents are responsible for ensuring grass and weeds are maintained. The Yard Maintenance By-law requires every property owner to maintain the ground cover of their property to the minimum standard of 10 cm or 4 inches (15 cm or 6 inches on vacant lands). Ground cover in gardens does not have a minimum standard according to the City’s by-laws.
As the seasons change, the By-law Enforcement Division is here to help. If you have any concerns or questions regarding these by-laws or any other regulatory by-laws, visit www.owensound.ca/bylaw or email enforcement@owensound.ca.
source: media release, City of Owen Sound
