Clear sidewalks help support safe winter maintenance

Trim Back, clear the way, and be a good neighbour

Guelph, Ont., November 3, 2026 – As fall yard and garden clean-up continues, residents are reminded to keep vegetation, landscaping, and other features clear of sidewalks and City-owned property.

Overgrown shrubs, hedges, tree branches, retaining walls, and other landscape features can create barriers for pedestrians, reduce accessibility, and may be considered encroachments under the City’s by-law.

Being a good neighbour means leaving enough space between sidewalks and adjacent landscaping or structures so everyone can travel safely and comfortably.

Residents are encouraged to:

Trim trees, shrubs, and hedges clear of sidewalks.
Keep the full width of sidewalks free of obstacles.
Maintain a clear separation between private landscaping and public walkways.
Prevent landscaping and structures from encroaching onto City property.

Clear sidewalks not only improve accessibility; they also support winter maintenance. Landscaping features that extend too close to the sidewalk can interfere with snow-clearing equipment and make pedestrian routes harder to maintain.

Property owners must allow adequate space between sidewalks and adjacent landscaping. Hard, raised landscape features within the boulevard should be set back at least 0.46 metres from the sidewalk edge to help support safe and effective maintenance operations.

Learn more about your responsibilities as a property owner at guelph.ca/encroachment.