Question 1

Brick wall on my front lot line in Orleans, how high?

Accepted Answer

A freestanding brick wall along a front lot line may count as a fence under the City's Fence By-law (2003-462), and if it does, the height limit in a front yard is 1 m, measured from grade at the base of the wall. A few details matter here. Where the grades on each side of the wall differ, height is measured from the higher grade. If the wall sits within a corner-lot triangle of 3 m along the lot lines, or within a 2 m driveway triangle, the limit drops to 75 cm.

Question 2

Why is my old brick garden wall leaning in the Glebe?

Accepted Answer

A leaning garden wall needs a mason to look at it in person before any work is planned. A mason standing at the wall can tell you what is causing it. What a mason will examine includes the base of the wall, the condition of the mortar joints, whether the lean is uniform or concentrated in one section, and whether any of the brick or stone units have cracked or shifted. A few things shape what the repair involves.

Question 3

How tall can a brick garden wall be in Ottawa?

Accepted Answer

The City of Ottawa's Fence By-law (2003-462) is the main rule to know. A freestanding brick or stone wall along a lot line may count as a fence under that by-law, and if it does, the height limits on residential property are 1 m in a front yard and 213 cm in any other yard. There are also reduced heights near corners and driveways. Within a triangle measured 3 m along each lot line at a corner, and within a 2 m triangle at a driveway, the maximum is 75 cm.

Question 4

Does a garden wall job need Ottawa's hardscaping licence?

Accepted Answer

The City of Ottawa's hardscaping licence (Licensing By-law 2002-189, Schedule 36, as amended by By-law 2025-415) covers businesses that install or alter hard landscaping features on private property, and it names steps, walkways, patios and similar features made of brick or flagstone. A freestanding brick or stone garden wall is not named in the by-law, but it is also not excluded, so the by-law does not say whether a particular wall job falls under it.

Brick & Stone Garden Walls

Brick wall on my front lot line in Orleans, how high?

Why is my old brick garden wall leaning in the Glebe?

How tall can a brick garden wall be in Ottawa?

Does a garden wall job need Ottawa's hardscaping licence?