Ottawa By-law 2013-416, s. 6 — Property Standards By-law

1) A yard shall be kept clean and free from,

• a) refuse or debris;
• b) refrigerators, freezers or similar appliances, whether operable or inoperable;
• c) objects or conditions that may create a health or accident hazard; and
• d) dilapidated, collapsed, unsafe or unsecured structures. 2) Despite the requirements of subsection (1), refrigerators, freezers or similar appliances may be stored or left on porches, decks or similar areas in rear or side yards, provided that the appliance is,
• a) working;
• b) not equipped with a self-locking device;
• c) not equipped with a self-latching device;
• d) secured with a locking device; and
• e) locked at all times except when actually being used and supervised. 3) Heavy undergrowth shall be eliminated from the yard so as to be consistent with the surrounding environment. 4) A yard shall be cultivated or protected by ground cover which prevents the erosion of the soil. 5) A tree or other plant, or limb or branch of it, that is dead, diseased, decayed or damaged shall be removed from the property or otherwise pruned to remove the dead, diseased, BY-LAW NO. 2013-416 dying or dangerous portions of the tree or plant so as to prevent an unsafe condition or damage to any building subject to the provisions of By-law No. 2009-200, the Urban Tree Conservation By-law. 6) Lawns shall be kept trimmed and not be overgrown or in an unsightly condition out of character with the surrounding environment. 7) Subsection (6) shall not apply to yards which have been landscaped or maintained with materials such as:
• a) trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses or flowers;
• b) decorative stonework, walkways or screening;
• c) any other horticultural or landscape architectural elements. 8) All hedges, shrubs, trees or other plants shall be planted and maintained in a manner that does not,
• a) adversely affect the safety of the public;
• b) adversely affect the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
• c) constitute an obstruction of view for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, but this does not prevent the erection of a hedge in the location that is 1 m (3 ft. 3 in.) or less in height; or
• d) wholly or partially conceal or interfere with the use of any hydrant or water valves. 9) No vehicle which is in a wrecked, discarded, dismantled, inoperative or abandoned condition shall be parked, stored or left in a yard. 10) Nothing in subsection (9) prevents the occupant of a residential property from repairing a vehicle which is the occupant’s own vehicle provided that there is only one (1) vehicle being repaired and the vehicle is being actively repaired. 11) In respect to multiple dwellings and non-residential properties, every area of a yard which is used for vehicular traffic or parking including a loading area shall be:
• a) kept free from dirt and refuse;
• b) adequately lighted; and
• c) maintained in good repair. 12) Lights used to illuminate any area used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, or parking shall be arranged, installed or designed so as to deflect away from abutting residential properties. 13) Accumulations of material, wood, debris or other objects that create an unsafe or unsightly condition, deleterious to the neighbouring environment, shall be removed. BY-LAW NO. 2013-416 14) All compost shall be stored and kept on a property neatly and in a contained manner so as not to allow offensive odours to affect the surrounding neighbourhood or attract vermin or other animals to the property. 15) Every swimming pool shall be maintained,
• a) in a clean and safe condition; and
• b) free from leaks and faulty components and equipment. 16) Every purification system for a swimming pool shall be maintained so that water in the pool is properly filtered and purified so as not to present a health hazard. 17) Subsections (15) and (16) do not apply to swimming pools regulated under the Public Pools Regulation 565, R.R.O. 1990, made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chap. H.7. 18) Domestic storage such as firewood, building materials, garden equipment and materials may be stored in a rear or side yard, provided that,
• a) such storage does not exceed 15 percent of the yard area in which it is stored;
• b) such storage shall be neatly piled and shall not constitute a hazard; and
• c) such storage shall not be stored in the front yard between the front wall of the building and the street line. 19) Subsection (18)(c) does not apply to a property exceeding 7.5 acres in size or to the dwelling on a farm property. 20) Despite the requirements of this section, temporary storage of materials or refuse resulting solely from the construction, demolition or alteration of a building or part thereof may be placed on the property, provided that,
• a) it is removed frequently and in its entirety from the property;
• b) it will not cause risk to the health or safety of any persons; and
• c) it is not stored in an unsightly manner. 21) Any furniture that is used outdoors shall be:
• a) kept in a clean, neat and tidy condition; and
• b) maintained in good repair. BY-LAW NO. 2013-416 SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE