Is the end of my Ottawa driveway City land for a bin?

It can be. The City's right-of-way is wider than the road: the City describes it as "the City-owned portion of land that includes the roadway, shoulder, sidewalk, vehicular and pedestrian accesses (accesses to driveways and walkways) and the boulevard beside private property." So the part of a driveway nearest the street can be City land, and where your property ends is a question for the map, not for the paving.

If a bin sits even partly on City land, the City's Temporary Construction-related Encroachment (TCE) permit applies. The Road Activity By-law 2003-445 says no person shall construct, erect or alter a temporary construction-related encroachment without first obtaining a permit, and the City needs at least 10 business days to process one.

To check your own lot, start with geoOttawa. The City says it "shows the approximate location of the City's ROW and the property lines", and that for exact property lines you contact a licensed surveyor. For a question about a bin, ask the City's ROW Permit Office.

Before you book:

• Measure the spot where the bin will sit and get the bin's outside dimensions from the company in writing, so you know whether it stays on your side of the line.
• Ask whether the company puts boards or planks under the bin and who pays for damage, in writing.
• Bin companies ask for a level spot clear of overhead wires and branches.

We found no City page saying a bin entirely on private property does or does not need a permit, so the line on the map is the thing to settle first.

Pick the exact spot with the company before the drop-off date, then check it against geoOttawa.