Ajax Landscaping Contractor · Reformity Inc.Landscaping & Grading in Ajax
Backyard work in Ajax usually comes down to where the water goes. TRCA has flagged a flood-vulnerable cluster along lower Carruthers Creek, and lots near the creek valleys can sit inside TRCA-regulated areas. On every lot, Ajax's Property Standards By-law requires low spots that collect water to be drained and graded toward a storm sewer or ditch, yards kept so water doesn't get into the basement, and downspouts emptying onto your own property, not sidewalks or stairs. We grade, plant and build to that brief.
Landscaping · real projects
Recent landscaping jobs across the GTA.
Real Reformity jobs from our project files. Customer addresses are never published.
Landscape & grading plan — Grading, drainage swale, tree protection and planting. Click to enlarge.
Retaining wall details
Drawn before we build
Drawn before we build in Ajax.
A grading and landscape plan: slopes away from the house, swales, downspout outlets, protected-tree zones, walls and planting. It's what site-alteration and tree permits ask for, and it keeps water off your foundation and your neighbour's.
Landscaping permits in Ajax
The Town's planning page says grading or adding fill needs a Sediment and Erosion Control Permit, and a retaining wall over 1,000 mm of exposed height beside public property or a building's access needs a building permit — Reformity prepares the grading and wall drawings, confirms with the Town which permits apply, and handles the applications.
- Dimensions to your lot lines
- Materials, sizes and spacing
- Footing and base sections
- Code notes for the inspector
Town of Ajax rules
Landscaping rules in Ajax.
Checked against official municipal and provincial sources. Lots differ, so we confirm the rules for your address at the quote visit.
Trees
Ajax's Tree Protection and Boulevard Tree Protection by-laws cover trees in parks and open space, the Greenbelt, environmentally sensitive land, lands under development applications and street boulevards; ordinary backyards aren't on that list. Injuring or removing a boulevard tree needs approval, and woodlands of 1 ha or more fall under Durham Region's woodland by-law.
Town of Ajax: tree protection (PDF)Conservation areas
Most Ajax residents (86%) live within TRCA's jurisdiction. TRCA regulates development in or near valley and stream corridors, wetlands and the Lake Ontario shoreline; inside a regulated area, a deck, pool or shed can need a TRCA permit, and the Town can't legally issue a building permit until TRCA has given a permit or clearance.
TRCA: decks & permitsFront-yard paving
Ajax zoning counts any hard surface touching the driveway toward its maximum width for your zone (3.0–7.8 m in most residential zones), unless it's a permitted driveway-adjacent walkway or is raised at least 0.15 m above the driveway. Front-yard parking has to stay on the driveway and that walkway.
Ajax Zoning By-law 95-2003 (PDF)Boulevards
Outside the apron, the boulevard between the road and your lot line is limited to decorative landscaping such as grass, sod, mulch or decorative stone, unless the by-law allows otherwise, with plants no taller than 0.6 m. Artificial turf, bare dirt and parking off the apron aren't allowed, and irrigation, electrical work or digging more than 30 cm down needs a complex encroachment agreement.
Ajax Road Occupancy By-law 48-2025 (PDF)Site alteration & grading
The Town's planning page says a Sediment and Erosion Control Permit is needed before removing topsoil, placing fill or grading land in Ajax. It gives no size threshold or exemption for small residential projects, so we confirm with the Town before a backyard regrade or fill job.
Town of Ajax: planning & permitsProperty standards
Property Standards By-law 46-2017 requires low spots that collect water to drain to a storm sewer or ditch, yards kept so water stays out of basements, and downspouts discharging onto your own property. Foundation walls must be kept sound, with masonry cracks grouted and underpinning done where needed, and brick and stonework kept in good repair with proper anchorage, as must a heritage property's heritage attributes.
Ajax Property Standards By-law 46-2017 (PDF)Retaining walls over 1 m
Under Ontario's Building Code, a retaining wall needs a building permit when its exposed height is over 1 m (3'3") and it's next to public property, access to a building, or private property open to the public. Those walls must be designed to the Code's structural (Part 4) rules.
Ontario Building Code, Div. A 1.3.3.5
What we build in Ajax
Full-service landscaping.
- Sod Installation
- Garden Beds & Plantings
- Retaining Walls
- Drainage & Grading
Neighbourhoods
Landscaping across Ajax.
- Pickering Village
- Memorial Village
- Southwood
- Lakeside
- Discovery Bay
- Pickering Beach
- Applecroft
- Westney Heights
- Nottingham
- Hermitage
- Salem Heights
- Audley North
Ajax Landscaping FAQ
Quick answers.
Under the Road Occupancy By-law, decorative landscaping such as grass, sod, mulch or decorative stone, with plants no taller than 0.6 m. Artificial turf, bare dirt and parking outside the apron aren't allowed, and irrigation, electrical work or digging more than 30 cm down needs a complex encroachment agreement with the Town. Any hard surface there must stay 1–2 m from Town trees and 3 m from hydrants.
The Town's planning page says a Sediment and Erosion Control Permit is needed before removing topsoil, placing fill or grading land in Ajax. It gives no size threshold or exemption for small residential projects, so we confirm with the Town before a backyard regrade or fill job.
Ajax's Tree Protection and Boulevard Tree Protection by-laws cover trees in parks and open space, the Greenbelt, environmentally sensitive land, lands under development applications and street boulevards; ordinary backyards aren't on that list. Injuring or removing a boulevard tree needs approval, and woodlands of 1 ha or more fall under Durham Region's woodland by-law.
Send the form on this page or call 437-241-6287. We reply within one business day, visit your Ajax property to measure and check the Town of Ajax rules for your lot, and give you a fixed written price.
Free on-site quote
Planning landscaping in Ajax?
We'll measure, check the Town of Ajax rules for your lot, draw it up and give you a fixed written price. One business-day reply.