How much of my front yard must stay soft landscaped in Ottawa?

The answer depends on how far your front yard setback is and how wide your lot is, and for applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50 apply, with the most restrictive provision from each applying.

Under Zoning By-law 2026-50, the minimum soft landscaping in a front or exterior side yard is set by Table 802, based on the yard's setback depth. If the setback is less than 1.5 metres, there is no minimum percentage, but any land not used for permitted driveways, walkways or permitted projections must be soft landscaped. If the setback is 1.5 metres to less than 3 metres, at least 20 per cent of that yard must be soft landscaped. If the setback is 3 metres or more, the minimum is 30 per cent for a lot width under 8.25 metres, 35 per cent for a lot width of 8.25 metres to under 12 metres, and 40 per cent for a lot width of 12 metres or more. Under Zoning By-law 2008-250, all of the front yard and corner side yard not occupied by parking spaces, driveways, aisles, permitted projections, accessory buildings or structures, or walkways must be soft landscaped. Because both by-laws apply and the most restrictive provisions govern, you need to check your lot against both sets of rules.

What counts as hard landscaping that reduces your soft area matters here. Under 2026-50, patios, permitted driveways, parking spaces, and pedestrian walkways are among the uses that may occupy the non-soft portion of the yard. A walkway leading to a front or exterior side lot line is limited to a maximum width of 1.8 metres, and the cumulative width of all walkways plus all driveways and parking spaces in a front or exterior side yard must not exceed 50 per cent of the lot width. A walkway that abuts a driveway is considered part of the permitted driveway under that by-law.

The City's Landscaping Education Guide, which a licensed hardscaping contractor is required to give you, explains these rules in plain language. The City of Ottawa's hardscaping contractor licence has been required since March 1, 2026 for any business installing, altering or paving hard landscaping features such as patios, walkways, steps or concrete pads on private property. Ask any contractor you hire to show you their City of Ottawa hardscaping contractor licence before work begins.

Because the exact percentages depend on your specific setback depth and lot width, confirm the numbers for your lot with the City before any concrete is placed. Your lot dimensions and setback are on your survey or can be approximated through geoOttawa, but for exact property lines the City's Landscaping Education Guide says to contact a licensed surveyor.

Before work starts, have the written contract with the full scope and price, any required permit, and the Landscaping Education Guide all in hand.