Have you ever walked by a house with a front lawn that was perfect and wondered how the owners keep the grass so green in winter, so weed-free in spring and so evenly mowed all year long? It is likely that the owners of the house have year-round grass, otherwise known as artificial turf.

Many people, including myself, have put down turf instead of trying to get grass to grow in the shade and weeds to stop growing. There is no need to water the lawn, mow the grass or worry about the raccoons digging for grubs. It is great if you have dogs because they can’t destroy the turf. It is water absorbent and low maintenance. It only requires the odd vacuum of the lawn with the Shop-Vac.

Although more people are choosing this option, the city’s bylaw officers are keeping busy giving notices of violation to homeowners with artificial turf because the bylaw doesn’t make mention of such an option. Although residents can have grass, rocks, interlocking bricks, flowers, sprinklers and peat moss, artificial turf is prohibited on their front lawn where the property line meets the city line.

During winter, the officers started issuing notices to offending homeowners with a demand that the artificial grass be replaced. They knew which homes to target because they are the ones with the green lawns in January. Since it doesn’t make sense to replace artificial grass with real grass on half of the lawn, residents are trying to reason with the city.

Apparently discretion and common sense aren’t included in the bylaw either. City officials met behind closed doors and debated the legality of artificial turf. Officials decreed that since the bylaw didn’t state it was allowed, it was prohibited.

Homeowners will have to rip up part of their front lawns and replace the artificial grass or apply for an encroachment agreement.

The idea of getting an encroachment agreement wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t require a cheque for $1,400 and a trip to North York Community Council.

The alternative to discretion is to change the bylaw. This option would require North York Community Council to hear a motion on why the front lawn as we know it is not in jeopardy if artificial turf is permitted on the average North Toronto lot.

I am sure the city will come up with reasons why the bylaw shouldn’t change. However, if it doesn’t, the city will have to start issuing infractions to itself since artificial turf is used in tree pits along Queen and King Streets and also on the median of the St. Clair streetcar tracks.

Or maybe the bylaw officers can just keep off the grass.

Karen Stintz is a former city councillor, elected in 2003, and was a chair of the TTC. She lives in Ward 16 with her husband and two kids.