Unauthorized encroachments can be a safety hazard for pedestrians (trip hazard) and drivers (block visibility). They can also block access to underground utilities or interfere with road maintenance and operations (snow removal).

Encroachments can occur at the front, side or behind a property on parkland, and are not authorized under the Parklands By-law and the Boulevard Maintenance and Highway Obstruction By-law.

Examples of an encroachment

• Extending a back yard beyond the property line into a park (with a garden, shed, fence, sports equipment, or for storage purposes, etc.)
• Building a fence, planting trees and bushes, or installing raised gardens, raised curbs, or permanent sports equipment, etc. on the boulevard in a front yard

Encroachment agreement

An encroachment on to parkland and public open space is not permitted. An encroachment onto a boulevard may be permitted if:

• an Encroachment Agreement is filled out and all terms and conditions have been complied with
• the encroachment does not pose any safety and/or operational concerns
• all stakeholders have given their approval (examples include fences or landscaping)