​​​​​​​​​​​​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 may include: Extending a backyard 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 Agreements​

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 co​ncerns
  
• all stakeholders have given their approval (examples include fences or landscaping)

Any encroachment installed or maintained without an agreement may be subject to penalties, fines and removal at the owner's expense.

Boulevard Gardens

Under the Encroachment By-law, residents may be permitted to install gardens on applicable City-owned boulevards without an Encroachment Agreement, subject to specific conditions. Allowing soft landscaping on boulevards contributes to the beautification of Brampton’s streets while supporting sustainability and biodiversity.

The installation and maintenance of a boulevard garden may be permitted if:

• ​It does not contain a garden wall, hard landscape features, prohibited plants or plants with thorns or sharp leaves and is only dressed with soil, topsoil or mulch, however does not cause materials, including soil or mulch to come into contact with the trunk or base of a boulevard tree.
• It is not planted in, or overhang a ditch, shoulder, sidewalk, highway, stormwater management facility, swale, or any other City infrastructure which is designed or exists for the purpose of storing or carrying stormwater.
• It is maintained so as to not exceed forty-five centimetres (45 cm) in height.
• It is at grade with any adjacent sidewalk and not planted within ninety centimetres (90 cm) from any adjacent sidewalk or within ninety centimetres (90 cm) from any adjacent curb or shoulder.
• It does not cause damage or injury to a person or thing or obstruct the visibility of motorists or pedestrians, traffic sightlines or which obstructs or detracts from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device.
• It does not inhibit or obstruct City operations or access to fire hydrants, post office boxes, or any installations belonging to the City, Region or utility provider.
• It is installed with the required permits or approvals.

Call Before you Dig!

There may be utilities or services underground that can't be seen from the surface. By law, you must call Ontario OneCall at 1-800-400-2255 before you dig.

For tips on planting a compliant and beneficial ​boulevard garden, visit Natural Gardens, Boulevard Gardens a​nd Encroachments.