Preamble: Back yards and gardens had no structures in 1979. No decks, no patios. Just grass. Some members chose to build wood decks (with permission) and some put patio stones. Some did nothing. Any backyard construction and planting was done at the members’ own cost. The co-op looks for safety issues.
Summary of the bylaws about backyards and decks, based on the bylaws in effect as of August 2026.
In the bylaws, yards are described as exterior private areas. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 4).
Members are responsible for reasonable maintenance of their yards. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 4.)
Members will be individually responsible for the cost of improvements or alterations to their units. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 6 (a))
Decks are on the list of “previously approved renovations” by members.
(Maintenance Renovation Bylaw, A 10)
Decks may be installed, with approval (and restrictions).
ii) If at move-out time staff deems a deck to be unsafe or ill-built, the outgoing member may be required to remove it.
iii) Patio stones or similar surfaces may be laid without approval.
(Maintenance Renovation Bylaw, Article 4)
Exception: Wilton Street patios (Article 4 d)
Maintenance Bylaw
4. Exterior Private Areas
(a) Yards
i) Members are responsible for reasonable maintenance of their yards.
ii) Members may not keep livestock in yards or allow refuse to accumulate in yards.
iii) Back gates must remain accessible to allow for entry by utility meter readers.
(b) Fences
i) Painting and staining of fences, gates, and outside wooden steps may be done only by the Co-op in order to maintain a uniform appearance. The cost will be borne by the Co-op.
ii) The Co-op will repair damaged fences. A fee will be charged if damaged by neglect or abuse.
6. Improvements By Members
(a) Members will be individually responsible for the cost of improvements or alterations to their units.
Maintenance Renovation Bylaw
General A 10.
The Co-op shall maintain a list of previously approved renovations, with plans where possible, so that members may duplicate alterations others had made. Members will be encouraged to report back to the Co-op their experience with renovations – e.g. what worked, what problems they encountered, etc., so that others may profit from their experience.
Previously Approved Renovations
– installation of dishwashers in townhouses
– removal of front hall cupboard in Albert Franck Units
– changes to cupboard under stairs in Albert Franck Units
– cutting pass-throughs in wall between kitchen and living/dining room
– renovation of basement space
– decks
4. Exterior Areas
(c) Backyards
i) Decks may be installed, with approval, provided they do not involve any changes to the present deck structures (e.g. removal of railings, moving the steps, etc.) and providing the member does not intend to sink the supports in cement in the ground.
Decks may not be attached to the building, but may be attached to fences.
ii) If at move-out time staff deems a deck to be unsafe or ill-built, the outgoing member may be required to remove it.
iii) Patio stones or similar surfaces may be laid without approval. [Rationale: The grass in the backyards rarely grows properly since the soil is so poor. It is not difficult or expensive to return to grass if the incoming member wishes to do so.]
iv) Trees may not be planted, removed or pruned, without permission from the Co-op.
(d) Wilton St. Patios
i) Patio stones may not be replaced or painted by members.
ii) Any structure which will protrude above the fence must be approved by the Co-op.
iii) Nothing may be mounted to the top of the medium rise patio wall.
Members on the ground floor of the medium rise are reminded that the lockstone surface of their rebuilt patios should not be disturbed.
Soil or plants should not be placed directly on the surface – self-contained planters must be used instead. Nothing should be placed over the drains.
It is important to avoid any activity that might damage layers below the lockstone – keeping this surface sealed is the whole point of the very expensive Podium Deck project.
Condition of a unit:
(A) Source: Move-Out Bylaw, Preamble
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Co-op’s expectations about move-out condition of units.
It is recognized that the buildings are getting older, and members will not be penalized for normal wear and tear.
Conversely, the Co-op will make every effort to ensure that units are in reasonably acceptable condition when members move in, but will not guarantee an “as new” condition.
(B) Source: Move-Out Bylaw, Article 7.2
The Co-op cannot restore a unit to its original condition, nor guarantee that a relocating member’s new unit will be in the same condition as the unit they are vacating.