How tall can a brick garden wall be in Ottawa?

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. Height is measured from grade at the base of the wall, or from the higher grade where the ground is not level on both sides.

A wall built inside the yard that marks no boundary may not count as a fence under the by-law at all. If you are not sure whether your wall falls under it, confirm with the City before work starts.

One other thing to sort out: a wall that holds back soil on one side is a retaining wall, not a garden wall, and that is a different scope of work; ottawapatios.com covers retaining walls.

The City's hardscaping licence by-law names retaining walls, steps, walkways and patios, excludes "pools, decks and fences", and does not say where a freestanding garden wall falls. We found no definition of "minor repairs or minor alterations" in the by-law, so ask the contractor whether the job needs that licence, and ask the City whether a small repair or rebuild counts as a minor alteration.

Ask the contractor how the wall's height will be measured on your lot before work starts.