At the Regular Council Meeting on July 23, 2024, Council adopted the proposed By-Law amendment to the City’s Yard Clean and Clear By-law 2014-026 to permit long grasses and Native plants in urban areas as outlined in Report LGL2024-004.

The municipality currently permits native plants (sometimes referred to as “weeds”) and grass exceeding 8 inches in height in certain zoned areas. This is set out in the municipality’s Yard Clean and Clear By-law 2014-026, which regulates vacant lots as well as yards.

Previously, the municipality did not permit native plants and grass exceeding 8 inches in height in urban residential or commercial areas that are not within 30 metres of a waterfront or wetland area. The amendment to By-Law 2014-026 will now include provisions for long grasses and non-noxious weeds to be permitted to grow on private property in urban areas in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Municipal Law Enforcement staff will continue to accept and review concerns regarding noxious weeds and the enforcement of the Weeds Control Act as outlined in the Report.

This decision falls in alignment with the municipality’s strategic priority of a Healthy Environment and is in support of the City’s Council-adopted Healthy Environment Plan 2019.