Back to SearchDIEPPE, N.B. — Dieppe is following in the footsteps of other Canadian cites by no longer regulating the maximum height of vegetation (e.g., grass) on private property, unless traffic or public safety is impeded. The previous 20-cm height restriction has been removed.
Objective
At its regular meeting on June 10, Dieppe City Council adopted a revised bylaw governing the maximum height of vegetation. The move is aimed at complying with legal opinions and decisions handed down by various Canadian courts. Case law suggests that aesthetic criteria for lawn maintenance are arbitrary and unconstitutional.
Mowing still permitted
Don’t worry, you can still mow your lawn! Allowing vegetation to grow on property is voluntary, but homeowners must continue to:
- not block traffic, visibility, signs and street lighting,
- remove harmful, toxic or dangerous plants, and
- comply with directives issued by the fire or environment department.
Ecology
Natural spaces encourage biodiversity in urban environments. Letting wild plants flower helps endangered pollinators, such as the monarch butterfly and bees. The beneficial effects of less frequent mowing include:
- ↑ Greater abundance and diversity of plants and insects
- ↓ Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- ↓ Fewer undesirable insects and plants
- ↓ Lower soil temperatures
Make way for flowers
Some municipal land will also be turned into flower meadows to protect the environment and pollinators. Natural flower meadows also play a vital role in water management, helping to prevent flooding and recharge groundwater. In addition to acting as carbon sinks, these meadows enhance the aesthetic quality of our environment through added colour and texture.
The revised bylaw will come into force on June 11, 2024.
For more information, go to dieppe.ca/lawn