How much is the City of Ottawa encroachment permit for a bin?

Two parts make up the City of Ottawa's TCE permit cost: a flat application fee and a daily rental charge for the space the bin occupies on City land.

The fees (City of Ottawa TCE permit page and Road Activity By-law 2003-445, Schedule A, 2026)

The application fee depends on how long the bin stays on the street. For 10 working days or less, the City calls it a Simple permit: $101.00. For more than 10 working days, or if you renew a Simple permit, it becomes a Complex permit: $998.00. City staff decide which category applies. All application fees are non-refundable.

On top of that, the City charges a daily rental fee for the ground the bin sits on. The rate is $0.87 per square metre per day on the boulevard, and $2.02 per square metre per day on the sidewalk or roadway. There is a minimum daily charge of $41.00. By our arithmetic, a bin about 12 by 8 feet works out to roughly 8.9 square metres, which at the road rate comes to about $18 a day, well under the minimum. By the same arithmetic, a longer bin, about 22 by 8 feet, works out to roughly 16.4 square metres, or about $33 a day at the road rate, still under the minimum. So for most single bins, the daily charge is the $41.00 minimum.

A Complex permit also requires commercial general liability insurance of at least $5,000,000 naming the City as an additional insured.

One other thing to sort out before you apply: the City accepts applications from residents, contractors or construction companies, so agree in writing with your bin company about who will apply and whose name goes on the permit. The permit is not transferable. The City requires a minimum of 10 business days to process an application, so a bin cannot go on the street the same day you decide you need one.

Once the permit is issued, the holder must post it on the exterior of the encroachment area, arrange any traffic control devices required under the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7, and keep walkways clear of snow.

Your next step is to confirm with the bin company whether they will apply or whether you need to submit the form yourself, so you can get that process started before your project date.