Please note that private alterations to the City’s boulevard are prohibited, with the exception of certain landscaping that complies with section 5.5 of By-law 2014-054, the Highway Occupancy Bylaw. Common examples of prohibited changes include, but are not limited to:

• Alteration of the slope or re-grading of the boulevard.
• Installation of retaining walls, irrigation systems or decorative lighting.

The City recognizes and appreciates the landscaping work of property owners to maintain their property. Unfortunately, where landscaping extends onto municipal land, the City must exercise its right of access to complete essential construction activity. This includes the excavation and removal of landscape/hardscape features, necessary to reconstruct public infrastructure.Landscaping in areas of the boulevard not subject to excavation are still highly likely to be damaged by foot traffic or material storage. Prohibited alterations and landscaping, even where in conformance with Section 5.5 of the bylaw, will not be reinstated by the City following reconstruction.

Additionally, reconstruction of water and wastewater service pipes up to the property line necessitates excavation onto private property in a radius of a couple metres into private property.

Frequently residents are unsure about where the property line separating the boulevard from private property is. Although not precise in all circumstances, the following guidelines can be followed:

Side of Longwood Dr. with a sidewalk: Property line is approximately 0.5 metres from the edge of sidewalk facing the house.

Side of Longwood Dr. without a sidewalk: Property line is approximately 5 metres from the edge of curb facing the house.

Residents who are unsure of the location of their water and wastewater services should contact the City’s project manager to determine where they are.

During a road reconstruction project, the City will address private landscaping on City property in the following manner:

• Provide advanced notice regarding prohibitions on alterations to the boulevard prior to construction via mailouts (e.g. this notice) and updates on the Engage Waterloo website.

Please note that features you wish to reinstate after construction must conform to Section 5.5 of the Highway Occupancy Bylaw.

• Advance notice of the start of construction will be provided via a mailout to affected residents in the late winter/early spring of 2027.This will contain the anticipated start date of construction and provide a final opportunity for you to remove and/or salvage any landscaping you wish to preserve.Construction is currently anticipated to commence mid-April 2027.
• Any landscaping not removed prior to the start of construction may be damaged and/or removed, if necessary, by the City’s contractor. As part of the reconstruction the City will reinstate boulevards with topsoil and sod but will not replace, or reimburse costs for, any private landscaping removed prior to or damaged during construction. Any owner who subsequently places landscaping in the City-owned boulevard does so entirely at his or her own risk.
• If your existing landscaping consists of hardscape features, such as concrete, masonry, edging around planting beds, decorative light stands, fences, etc., please contact the City’s project manager as soon as possible to discuss in further detail. As stated above, the City will not replace, or reimburse costs for any private landscaping/hardscaping in the City-owned boulevard that is left in place and damaged during construction. However, depending on the specific items/locations and anticipated construction impacts, the City may be able to assist in removing or relocating (to private property) these features as part of the road reconstruction work.

The policies above apply to landscaping/hardscaping and do not apply to paths of travel needed for access to the property. Driveways, walkways and other hard surfaced paths of access from private to public property will be re-instated as close as practicable to existing conditions after construction.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to renew public infrastructure on Longwood Drive.