Zoning Bylaw No. 8500 - Landscaping and Screening (Section 6) — full text

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 873127eb1253 · verified 2026-08-28 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-1 2703766 v3 6. Landscaping and Screening 6.1 Visibility Clearance at Intersections 6.1.1 No fence, landscaping or screen shall be grown, placed or caused or allowed to be grown or placed so as to obstruct the line of vision at an intersection between the height of 0.9 m and 3.0 m, as measured from the top of any curb, or if there is no such curb, as measured from the crown of the roadway, in that area bounded by the property lines adjoining the road or lane and a line drawn to connect the property lines at a distance of 7.5 m from their point of intersection. 6.2 General 6.2.1 In the event that plant material in an approved development is inappropriate or fails to survive, the City may allow or require alternative materials to be substituted. 6.2.2 Where, because of conditions not conducive to good horticultural practices, landscaping and screening cannot reasonably be expected to survive, the City may require a masonry wall, wood fence, earth berm or combination thereof to be substituted. 6.2.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6, no landscaping or screening shall be grown, placed, caused or allowed to be grown or placed so as to impede the visibility of any traffic control device. 6.2.4 Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 6, the provision and maintenance of landscaping and screening should comply with the objectives, policies and development permit guidelines of the Official Community Plan and any development permit or development variance permit approved by the City. 6.2.5 Where a fence has been erected adjacent and parallel to but not actually upon a lot line which abuts a road, lane or public walkway, the portion of the lot between the fence and the said lot line shall be planted and maintained with any combination of trees, shrubs, ornamental plants or lawn, except where there is a ditch or watercourse adjacent to the road or public walkway. 6.2.6 Where a site is to be developed in phases, the final landscaping need only be provided on that portion of the site to be approved in each phase. Landscaping shall be required in subsequent phases on the remainder of the site at the time these are approved and developed. In the interim period, subsequent phases must be planted with grass seed or sod, as a minimum, to ensure that the entire site is presentable and properly maintained. 6.2.7 The owner of the property shall provide landscaping where existing mature vegetation cannot be retained and shall maintain landscaping on all developed portions of the lot not covered by buildings, structures or hardsurfacing. 6.2.8 Where the landscaping, screening and fence requirements in Section 6 conflict with those in any zone, the specific landscaping, screening and fence regulations in the zone take precedence. 6.2.9 For a lot fronting onto a local arterial road or a major arterial road, a solid masonry or brick fence up to a maximum fence height of 1.2 m is permitted within the required front yard Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-2 2703766 v3 setback area, but any mechanical or manual gate must be located at least 6.0 m from the front lot line. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 14/17] 6.3 Landscape Requirements for Unenclosed Outdoor Storage Areas in Industrial Zones 6.3.1 Section 6.3.2 shall apply to properties which are regulated by the industrial zones and those site specific zones that govern industrial uses where unenclosed outdoor storage areas are specifically permitted. 6.3.2 Unenclosed outdoor storage areas shall be gated and screened from adjacent lots: a) buildings or structures; b) a fence at least 2.0 m in height and not exceeding 2.4 m in height, provided that access gates match the character and height of the fence provided. 6.3.3 Unenclosed outdoor storage areas shall be gated and screened from adjacent lots by any combination of: a) a fence at least 2.0 m in height and not exceeding 2.4 m in height provided that access gates match the character and height of the fence provided; b) a landscape strip providing a solid visual screen, is planted and maintained to a height of at least 2.0 m and a width of 1.5 m, and is situated between the required fence and road. 6.3.4 The fence referred to in Section 6.3.2 shall not be situated closer than 1.5 m to a lot line abutting a road. 6.4 Landscape Requirements in Residential Zones [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] 6.4.1 In the residential zones and site specific zones that govern single detached housing and small-scale multi-unit housing, the owner of the property is responsible for the placement and proper maintenance of landscaping, in the front yard as follows: [Bylaw 10573, Jun 24/24] a) for a lot with a lot width less than or equal to 15 m, live landscaping is to be provided covering a minimum of 50% of the required front yard; [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] b) for a lot with a lot width greater than 15 m, live landscaping is to be provided covering a minimum of 55% of the required front yard; and [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] c) for an irregular-shaped lot, the City shall determine the minimum area required for live landscaping, having regard to the area required for a paved driveway or walkway, to provide access to garage or house, and shall be located so as to maximize its functionality by ensuring its proper location in relation to buildings, sunlight, parking and other site factors. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] 6.4.2 The owner shall plant and maintain within 3.0 m of the front lot line one new or replacement tree of a minimum size of 6.0 cm on every lot that is: [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] a) regulated by the residential zones or site specific zones that govern single detached housing subdivisions or small-scale multi-unit housing subdivisions; [Bylaw 10573, Jun 24/24] b) on a lot that is being subdivided into two or more lots on a single subdivision plan. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-3 2703766 v3 6.4.3 In the case of a corner lot, an additional new or replacement tree shall be planted within 3.0 m of the side lot line which abuts a road. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] 6.4.4 On a lot that is subject to a building permit application for single detached housing or small- scale multi-unit housing which contains no existing trees at the time of building permit application, a minimum of two (2) trees--one (1) in the required front yard and one (1) in the required rear yard--must be planted as part of a building permit. [Bylaw 10573, Jun 24/24] 6.4.5 In the residential zones and site specific zones that govern residential uses, the owner of the property is responsible for the placement and proper maintenance of landscaping, screening and fences on the site for all yards visible from a road. The owner of the property shall also ensure that the portion of the lot not occupied by non-porous surfaces, including buildings, is planted and maintained with any combination of trees, shrubs, ornamental plants or lawn. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] 6.4.6 Private outdoor open space shall be located so as to maximize its functionality by ensuring its proper location in relation to buildings, sunlight, parking and other site factors. [Bylaw 9737, Jul 24/17] 6.5 Landscape Requirements in Commercial and Industrial Zones 6.5.1 Sections 6.5.2 to 6.5.9 shall apply to the following: a) properties which are regulated by the industrial zones or by site specific zones that govern industrial uses where the development does not require the issuance of a development permit; and b) properties which are regulated by the commercial zones or by site specific zones that govern commercial uses where the development does or does not require the issuance of a development permit. 6.5.2 Where a lot being developed abuts a zone which permits residential use, the owner shall erect and maintain a solid fence of a minimum height of 2.0 m and the fence shall be situated within 1.0 m of the boundary line of the adjacent zone. 6.5.3 The portion of the lot which is within 3.0 m of a property line abutting a road shall be planted and maintained with any combination of trees, shrubs, ornamental plants or lawn, except where unenclosed outdoor storage areas are specifically permitted, in which case Section 6.3.2 shall apply. 6.5.4 Vacant lots which are regulated by the commercial zones or site specific zones that permit commercial uses shall be separated from a road by landscaping, screening or a fence until such time as a development permit is issued on the property. 6.5.5 All refuse and recycling bins situated on a site, including all other large receptacles used for the temporary storage of materials: a) shall be located a minimum of 3.0 m from any abutting residential zone; b) shall require opaque screening from adjacent lots and roads; c) the screening shall be a minimum of 2.0 m in height to a maximum height that is equivalent to the height of the refuse or recycling bin but in no case more than 2.4 m; d) all sides open to public view such as a road, lane or walkway shall be screened by the planting of shrub and groundcover material at least 1.5 m in height in addition to the aforesaid required screening; Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-4 2703766 v3 e) the screening shall not inhibit access to the refuse or recycling bins. 6.5.6 A use involving the wrecking, salvaging or storing of scrap, damaged vehicles, salvage or other junk not contained within a building shall be bounded on all sides by a landscape screen of not less than 2.4 m nor more than 3.0 m in height, and no material shall be stored to a greater height than the landscape screen. 6.5.7 Landscaping and screening is to be compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood. 6.5.8 The location of landscape elements shall provide site lines from windows and doors to walkways and parking areas on the property. 6.5.9 Screening for loading, storage, refuse and recycling shall avoid creating areas on the site with no natural surveillance. 6.6 Landscaping of Waste Management 6.6.1 A lot which is used for waste management shall be planted and maintained with any combination of trees, shrubs, ornamental plants or lawn to the following extent: a) within areas which are 3.0 m or less from property lines which abut roads or from zones which permit commercial use or residential use where the waste amounts to 23,000.0 litres per day or less; or b) within areas which are 15.0 m or less from property lines which abut roads or from zones which permit commercial uses or residential uses where the waste amounts to more than 23,000.0 litres per day: 6.7 Specifications for Landscape Construction 6.7.1 All specifications and procedures for the acquisition, installation and maintenance of the landscape are to be done in manner consistent with good horticultural practice. 6.7.2 All landscape areas and installations shall meet or exceed latest edition of the British Columbia Nursery Trades Association Standards and be regularly maintained, except for natural area plantings which should meet the latest edition of the Society of Landscape Architects Landscape Standards and where regular maintenance may not be required. 6.7.3 All plant materials shall be hardy to the location on the site where they are planted. 6.7.4 Existing landscaping or natural vegetation that is to be retained must be protected to the furthest extent of the drip line and the final grading of the site should not alter the existing grade within the root zone more than 20.0 cm, unless an arborist report indicates otherwise and is approved by the City. 6.7.5 Where landscaping is required under Section 6, it shall conform to the following at installation: a) tree species at maturity shall have an average spread of crown greater than 5.0 m. Trees having a lesser average mature crown of 5.0 m may be grouped so as to create the equivalent of 5.0 m or greater crown at maturity; b) deciduous trees shall have at least a DBH of 60.0 mm; and c) coniferous trees shall have a minimum height of 2.0 m. Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-5 2703766 v3 6.8 Fence Limitations in Residential Zones 6.8.1 No fence constructed in residential zones and site specific zones that include residential uses shall exceed 2.0 m in height. Furthermore, a fence located in the front yard, or any part of a yard between the principal building and the front lot line, shall not exceed 1.2 m in height. 6.8.2 Where a fence is located along a lot line that abuts: a) a zone other than a residential zone; or b) a site specific zone that governs residential uses; the maximum fence height shall be 2.4 m along that lot line only. 6.8.3 Fence height shall be measured at the average finished site grade measured at a point 1.0 m from both sides of the property line to the top of the fence. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] 6.8.4 An outdoor play space provided on a property zoned for residential child care use shall be enclosed by a solid fence of a minimum height of 1.2 m but not exceeding a maximum height of 2.0 m. The minimum and maximum heights apply to all fences enclosing the outdoor play space, including fences located in the front yard of the zoned property, notwithstanding Section 6.8.1. 6.8.5 The use of barbed wire, electrified wire, razor wire and barbed tape obstacles as fencing material is prohibited in all the residential zones or site specific zones that govern single detached housing. 6.9 Fence Limitations in All Other Zones 6.9.1 No fence constructed in the agricultural zones and site specific zones that govern farm businesses shall exceed 2.4 m in height. Furthermore, a fence shall not: [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] a) exceed 2.0 m in height where the fence is located in the exterior side yards of a single detached housing unit; or [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] b) exceed 1.2 m in height where the fence is located in the front yard (or yard fronting a public street) of a single detached housing unit. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] 6.9.2 No fence constructed in all the other zones shall exceed a maximum height of 2.4 m. 6.9.3 Fence height shall be measured at the average finished site grade measured at a point 1.0 m from both sides of the property line to the top of the fence. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] 6.9.4 The following are suitable fence agrarian materials for the design and construction of fencing in agriculture zones. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] a) Wood Post and Rail, minimum spacing between horizontal members shall be 0.3 m. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] i) Diagonal cross bracing permitted if bracing between posts. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] b) Metal post and rail, minimum 0.3 m spacing between horizontal members. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] c) Wood Post and welded wire mesh. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] d) Steel Post and welded wire mesh. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] Section 6: Landscaping and Screening 6-6 2703766 v3 e) Wood pickets, 8 cm minimum distance between pickets. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] 6.9.5 In agricultural zones: [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] a) Fences shall be constructed of materials limited to farm agrarian materials for fencing to the satisfaction of the Director, Building Approvals. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] b) Any gate providing farm access (even if also serving the single detached housing unit) is required to comply with the agrarian materials. [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] c) Masonry fences are not permitted [Bylaw 10122, Nov 16/20] 6.9.6 Barbed wire, razor wire and barbed tape obstacle, and electrified wire may only be used as a fencing material: a) where it is used to confine domestic farm animals; or b) the purpose of the fence is to limit access to a lawful commercial, industrial, community or institutional use of land, provided that the wire component of the fence is no closer to the ground than 2.0 m.