To their credit, the last city council decided that staff should look into the possibility of allowing non-grass landscaping on the city’s portion of your front yard. It was a bold move, perhaps propelled by the fact that people are widely ignoring the no-gardening bylaw, which is 20 years old.
Despite the new leniency, growing herbs and vegetables will still not be allowed. This is a matter so complex that it requires further study. The city says it’s just possible that your home is sitting on contaminated land — which would seem like a larger problem, if so. You will want to pay particular attention to the rules about fireworks. They may be purchased only during the seven days leading up to Canada Day, but they can be set off June 30, July 1 and July 2, which seems exceptionally generous. No firecrackers allowed. That’s an Ontario rule.