Hard-Surfacing and Landscaping
The City of Whitehorse requires most new development to provide hard-surfaced parking and landscaping as a condition of Development Permit approval. Detailed requirements are set out in the Zoning Bylaw; specific requirements for each development are described in the approved Development Permit. Where hard-surfacing or landscaping are not completed at the time of occupancy approval, the City may collect a security deposit to ensure they are completed.
Below are highlights of key requirements and minimum standards for hard-surfacing and landscaping.
Completed the hard-surfacing or landscaping and want to get your security back? Submit an inspection request online.
Hard-Surfacing and Landscaping Requirements
Hard-surfacing: Developments in most zones are required to provide a hard-surfaced driveway and parking area. Exceptions apply; refer to the Zoning Bylaw (2025-37) for details. In some zones, where there is lane access to the property, vehicle access is only permitted from the lane.
Landscaping: Developments in the RCD and RSD zones have a standard requirement of one tree or three shrubs per lot, plus a suitable ground cover in the entire front yard. See below for details on minimum landscaping standards. In other zones, landscaping requirements are based on the length of road frontage and must include a suitable ground cover; refer to the Zoning Bylaw (2025-37) for details. Some zones are exempted from landscaping requirements.
Landscaping inspections will be conducted only during the growing season (June 1 – September 30).
Minimum Standards
Please refer to the Zoning Bylaw for complete details on hard-surfacing and landscaping standards.
Hard-surfacing, where required, means the provision of a durable, dust-free surface constructed of concrete, asphalt or similar material. Hard-surfaced driveways and parking spaces are required in most zones, if the adjacent street or lane is hard-surfaced.
Minimum Size of Landscape Plantings
Deciduous trees: 60 mm/2 ½ inches caliper (diameter of trunk measured at 30 cm/12 inches above the ground).
Coniferous trees: 1.75 m (5’ 9”) in height measured from ground level.
Shrubs: #2 pot size (2 gallon) or 1.0 m in height, balled-and-burlapped, measured from ground level.
Acceptable landscape planting species are described in the City’s Recommended Tree Species for Whitehorse.
Location of Landscape Plantings
Trees and shrubs must be planted with adequate spacing from buildings and lot lines:
- Trees and shrubs must be at least 1.5 metres from any principal building.
- Trees must be planted at least 1.5 metres from any side or rear lot line, measured from the centre of the trunk. This setback does not apply where the lot borders a public right-of-way or undeveloped or publicly owned land, such as a greenbelt, park, or school site.
- New coniferous trees must be planted at least 10 metres from any principal building, including buildings on neighbouring properties that could be developed under current zoning.
For lots with limited yard space: Where the front yard or exterior side yard is less than 2.0 metres deep, the Development Officer may allow alternative ways to enhance the space. These may include decorative paving, built-in seating, raised planters, or other features that improve the streetscape and pedestrian experience.
Landscape Planting Area
In new developments, all areas within the front yard and exterior side yard that are not used for driveways, walkways, parking, or utility service boxes must be developed as landscaped planting areas. These areas may include ground cover such as grass, decorative pavers, washed gravel, shale, or planting beds.
The Development Officer may require a mix of ground cover materials to improve visual interest and overall landscape quality.
Where gravel, shale, or similar loose materials are used, appropriate containment measures must be installed to keep the material on private property and prevent it from spreading onto streets, sidewalks, or other public areas.
Security Deposits
To receive a refund of a security deposit, an application must be submitted within the required timeframe after first occupancy:
- Hard-surfacing deposits must be applied for within 1 year of first occupancy (as issued through the building permit).
- Landscaping deposits must be applied for within 2 years of first occupancy.
- Record drawing deposits must be applied for within 60 days of first occupancy, unless a longer timeframe is specified in the approved Development Permit.
If an application is not submitted within these timeframes, the deposit will be forfeited in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. Submit an inspection request online.