The city of Burlington in Ontario has amended its lot maintenance bylaw to allow for enforcement if leaves from a homeowner’s property block public land.
The city’s bylaw contained provisions for leaves left on private property but did not have any provisions for leaves discarded on public property, according to a City of Burlington staff report. The issue was raised during 2025 budget talks held in the autumn of 2024, said the report, authored by director of bylaw compliance Kerry Davren.
The city currently offers a loose leaf collection program, which allows residents to place leaves “on or near the boulevard” and the city will pick them up on a set schedule….