When does a bin on an Ottawa road need a TCE permit?

A bin placed on the road, boulevard, sidewalk or a public laneway in Ottawa sits on City land, and the City's Road Activity By-law 2003-445 requires a Temporary Construction-related Encroachment (TCE) permit before it goes there. By-law section 4.1 states: "No person shall construct, erect or alter a temporary construction-related encroachment without first obtaining a permit." The City's TCE page lists a roll-off or disposal bin in a roadway or public laneway as one of its examples.

The permit requirement applies the moment any part of the bin touches City property. The City's right-of-way includes the boulevard beside your property and the apron where your driveway meets the street, so a bin that seems to be on your property may still cross onto City land. geoOttawa shows the approximate property line; for your address, ask the City's ROW Permit Office.

A few things follow from that:

• The City accepts applications from residents, contractors or construction companies, so agree in writing with the bin company about who applies before the bin is ordered.
• 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 call.
• The permit is not transferable and runs in the name of the permit holder, who must post it on the exterior of the encroachment area and take responsibility for all traffic-control devices under the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7.
• If a parking space must be removed, the City requires a minimum of four business days notice.
• Permits run for a period not exceeding three months; a renewal is treated as a Complex permit.

A bin kept entirely on private property, such as a driveway, is a different question. We found no City page that says a permit is or is not required there, so check geoOttawa and, if you are unsure, ask the City's ROW Permit Office before the bin arrives.

Ask the bin company first about where they plan to set the bin down, because that single answer tells you whether the TCE permit is in play at all; then go to the City's ROW Permit Office if any part of the placement touches the road, boulevard or sidewalk.