Boulevard Treatment and Maintenance
The public areas bordering the fronts, sides and backs of private properties are important parts of Burnaby’s streetscapes, and their upkeep is a shared responsibility
The City of Burnaby has introduced a Boulevard Treatment and Maintenance Policy to ensure consistent maintenance and treatment of boulevards throughout the community, to guide property owners in their responsibilities for maintaining adjacent boulevards and to explain what is and isn’t allowed in those areas.
What is a boulevard?
Boulevards are the sections of land between private property lines and the street curb or edge of pavement. They normally consist of sidewalks, grass and trees, and infrastructure such as signs, lamp standards and utility poles. In most cases boulevards border the front of a private yard, but they can also border the side if it’s a corner lot, or the back if there is a back lane. Boulevards are public spaces, owned by the City.
What purposes do boulevards serve?
Boulevards meet a number of environmental, health, aesthetic and infrastructure needs. They provide:
- areas where the City can plant trees—crucial to Burnaby’s Climate Action goals
- corridors for sidewalks and other types of pathways, which encourage walking, rolling and cycling
- permeable areas for stormwater drainage
- space for above-ground infrastructure, including streetlights, signs, fire hydrants, bus stops, power poles and mailboxes
- space for below-ground infrastructure, such as water/sanitary/storm mains, hydro and gas lines, and communications and street light conduits
Who is responsible for boulevard upkeep and maintenance?
Boulevard upkeep and maintenance is a shared responsibility between the City, third party utilities and adjacent property owners.
The City is responsible for:
- caring for street trees, including pruning
- maintaining sidewalks and other pathways
- maintaining all City infrastructure
- removing snow and ice in high traffic areas
Property owners are responsible for:
- ensuring boulevards are kept in a safe and tidy condition, meeting the requirements described in the Policy
- mowing and trimming grass and clovers
- keeping sidewalks, pathways and driveways clear of obstructions or tripping hazards
- maintaining clear sightlines for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians
- cutting or pruning trees, hedges and bushes on private property so they don’t interfere with pedestrian travel or other boulevard uses
- maintaining and replacing (if necessary) all connector walkways, stairs, ramps and handrails leading to the property
- removing litter and leaves from sidewalks
- clearing snow and ice, in keeping with Burnaby’s Street and Traffic Bylaw
What treatments can adjacent property owners add to boulevards?
Additional treatments in boulevards, such as flowers, small plants and shrubs, can provide habitat for pollinators, improve streetscapes and enhance the overall appearance of our neighbourhoods. Permitted treatments and standards are described in detail in the Policy and include:
- grass and clover (see Policy for recommended low maintenance blends)
- rocks and bark mulch
- shrubs and small plants (up to 0.6m high)
- stepping stones or connector walkways that are flush with the ground
- planter boxes (back boulevards only)
The following may be allowed, but require the City’s approval:
- driveways
- irrigation systems
- stormwater management facilities
Treatments not allowed in boulevards include:
- artificial turf
- impervious surfaces, like concrete and asphalt
- trees and hedges not planted by the City
- invasive, poisonous and illegal plants
- structures such as retaining walls, fences, staircases or decorative items such as fountains and bird feeders
Other considerations
- The City encourages property owners to use non-polluting electric mowers and trimmers to maintain private yards and boulevards.
- Rocks and bark mulch should be installed over filter fabric to deter the growth of weeds.
- Pesticide use is not allowed on boulevards (unless otherwise permitted under Burnaby’s Pesticide Use Control Bylaw).
- Property owners may propose deviations from the standards laid out in the Policy, and in special cases, the City may grant certain exceptions in a written Encroachment Agreement.
Questions and answers
Trees on the City boulevards can only be planted, maintained, or removed by the City of Burnaby as per the Tree Management Policy. You are encouraged to plant trees within your property for their many benefits. The City recommends maintaining privately owned trees utilizing current arboriculture practices to ensure safety and so they do not conflict with public infrastructure.
Paving of boulevards with asphalt or concrete is not permitted. Boulevards are part of Burnaby’s drainage network. It’s important to keep boulevards permeable, meaning that they must be able to absorb water into the ground.
Artificial turf is not an acceptable treatment for a City boulevard. Planting of natural turf is preferred and encouraged.
Ditches are crucial for managing water flow, preventing flooding, and reducing erosion by channeling excess water away from roads. Ditches also provide important habitat for wildlife and support ecosystems. In road maintenance, they help manage stormwater runoff, enhancing road stability.
Homeowners and business owners are responsible for maintaining the ditches in their boulevards or back lanes. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- Clearing Vegetation—Regularly remove grass, weeds, and any other vegetation from in and around the ditches to prevent blockages.
- Removing Debris—Remove any leaves, branches, litter, gravel, and any other debris that could obstruct the flow of water.
- Reporting Issues—If you notice any problems such as water backing up, erosion, or structural damage to the ditch, please report these issues to Engineering Operations ([email protected] or 604-294-7460). Or, for emergencies, contact Engineering Dispatch (604-294-7200).
The City, our contractors or other third-party utilities working within the road right-of-way will only restore areas to the City standard. The City’s current standard treatment for all boulevards is grass. Owners will be responsible for salvaging any plants and materials before the project begins and for restoring any alternative treatments at their own costs.
A minimum width of 1.2m needs to be cleared to allow passage.
Irrigation systems are typically not permitted within boulevards. The City may, on a case-by-case basis, allow owners to install drip irrigation systems within the boulevard. Note that these systems will not be restored if a City or third-party company works within the area and have to remove all or parts of the system. Any private irrigation system shall be connected to a private water service from the property and should be connected behind the water meter.
Property owners are encouraged to contribute to the health of the environment by planting native pollinator plants, incorporating different species such as perennials and annuals.
While we ask owners to consider development strategies, such as rain gardens, this type of infrastructure will exclusively be installed by the City of Burnaby. Proposals for rain garden installations on City boulevards can be submitted and will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
The City encourages property owners to use non-polluting electric mowers and trimmers or push mowers and rakes to maintain private yards and boulevards.
Refer to the Chafer Beetles & Nematodes page.
Have questions?
Engineering General Inquiries