Who checks the property line before an Ottawa fence goes in?

We found no rule that makes a fence installer confirm your property line, so plan on checking it yourself before the posts go in.

A fence contractor can help position the fence, but only an Ontario Land Surveyor can certify where a boundary actually falls. That comes from the Surveyors Act and the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. A fence installer cannot make that determination.

The City of Ottawa's Landscaping Education Guide says to check property lines before installing or replacing a fence, so that it sits on your property and can legally be placed there. geoOttawa shows approximate property lines, which is useful for a rough sense of the lot, but the lines shown are not survey-accurate. For a confirmed boundary, you need a survey by an Ontario Land Surveyor. Before work begins, it is also worth checking your deed or title documents for any easements crossing the property. The City's guide says not to block those areas; if you are unsure what your documents say, the guide suggests a lawyer.

A few things worth knowing before the posts go in:

• If you and your neighbour disagree about where the line falls, the Line Fences Act gives either owner a process: notify the municipal clerk, and fence-viewers can be appointed to examine the site and issue an award. Ask the City whether that process applies to your property and what it costs.
• The City's guide notes that the road allowance can be wider than it looks. The Fence By-law, No. 2003-462, says no fence may be placed on City property, including the public road allowance. geoOttawa can help you see approximately where your lot line ends, but the City's right of way may extend further than the edge of the sidewalk or the grass strip.

Once the job is done, keep the written contract, the itemized quote and photos showing where the fence was placed relative to the lot. If a question about the line ever comes up later, those records are what you will reach for first.