Current by-law reviews | City of Ottawa

ATV, ORV and Snowmobile By-law

Description

The review will include clarifying various provisions, addressing gaps in regulations and enforcement recommendations by the Ottawa Police Service. The review will also consider options for conflict resolution between various stakeholders. For example, balancing the increasing number of complaints from residents regarding ATV and snowmobile activities versus the increasing demand from the riding community to increase the number of routes and trails on municipally owned lands.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

2025 – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Planning, Development and Building Services
PDBSLegdgspab@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Building Performance Standard By-law

Description

This by-law is being developed as part of the Better Buildings Strategy to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. It would apply to all eligible existing buildings and is based on annual greenhouse gas emissions performance metrics; other metrics of health and safety may be included in the Building Performance Standard.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

Spring 2024 – Environment and Climate Change Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Janice Ashworth, Section Manager Climate Change and Resiliency
Janice.Ashworth@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

E-Scooters By-law

The e-scooter report goes to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on Feb 27, 2025. The report includes 2024 season results along with several recommendations, one of which is to continue participate in pilot until 2029.

For more information about this review, click on the link below:

E-scooters | City of Ottawa

Contact

E-scooter Pilot Project Team
escooter@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Encroachments on City Highways By-law

Description

The Encroachments on City Highways By-law (No. 2003-446, as amended) outlines the requirements and fees associated with permanent and temporary encroachments on City highways, outdoor patios, café seating and customer service boxes.

This review of the Encroachments on City Highways By-law will evaluate the By-Law Fees.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

2026 – Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Planning Real Estate and Economic Development

PDBSLegdgspab@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Landscaper Regulatory Review

Description

The City is reviewing its regulations for landscape contractors who operate in Ottawa. There is no single landscape contractor by-law. Instead, various by-laws apply depending on the type of work being done, including driveway alterations, other hardscaping and softscaping of both private and public property, fences, trees, use and care of roads, occupying the roadway, property standards and maintenance, and site alterations.

This review will consider:

if existing by-laws properly address instances of non-compliance,

if additional regulations are required,

if there are opportunities to streamline regulations, and

additional education about existing by-laws and permits for both landscape contractors and the public.

Get Involved

If you are a landscape contractor operating in Ottawa, the City wants to hear from you! Please contact us at ByLawReviews@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) or at 613-580-2424 extension 29529 to learn more.

Reports

Fall 2025 – Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Public Policy Development Branch

613-580-2400 ext. 29529

BylawReviews@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Licensing By-law

Description

The City’s Licensing By-law (No. 2002-189) regulates businesses such as restaurants, pet shops, and driving schools, among others and requires that they have a licence in order to operate within the City. City staff have determined that a comprehensive review of the by-law is needed to ensure that regulations and requirements for licensed businesses as well as administrative processes for business licensing remain effective.

This review will focus on:

Modernizing existing licensing regulations and requirements
Eliminating duplication and inconsistencies within the by-law
Exploring opportunities to reduce red-tape and administrative burdens

The review will also consider non-regulatory issues, such as incorporating technology into the business licensing process, and how to better support and inform businesses through both the initial application and license renewal processes.

Get involved

Do you have a business licence with the City of Ottawa? We want to hear from you! Contact us at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) or at 613-580-2424 x29529 to provide input or feedback to help inform this review!

Reports

Spring 2026 - Emergency Preparedness and Protective Service Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Public Policy Development Branch
613-580-2400 ext. 29529
BylawReviews@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Over-dimensional Vehicles on Highways By-law

Description

The Over-dimensional Vehicles on City Highways By-law (No. 2003-497) regulates the movement of over-dimensional vehicles on City highways. Over Dimensional Vehicle Permits are issued under the authority of this by-law.

The Over-dimensional Vehicles on City Highways By-law has not been comprehensively reviewed since it was enacted in 2003. The review will include consultation with industry stakeholders to assess if any updates are required.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

2026 - Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Planning, Development and Building Services Department

PDBSLegdgspab@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Parks and Facilities By-law

Description

The Parks and Facilities By-law (No. 2004-276) underwent an administrative review in 2021. During this review, issues that required public consultation were identified, including:

Encroachments into parks from abutting properties
Permitted and restricted uses in parks such as sledding and fishing
Permitted and restricted activities within recreation facilities

This review will look to modernize the by-law to reflect current community needs..

Get involved

Public consultations have now closed. Thank you for providing your feedback. For updates on the progress of this review, please visit the Parks and Facilities By-law Review Engage Ottawa page(link is external).

Reports

Fall 2024 - Community Services Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Parks and Facilities By-law

parksfacilitiesbylaw@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Private Approach By-law

Description

The Private Approach By-law (No. 2003-447) regulates the construction and use of private approaches. Private Approach Permits are issued under the authority of this by-law.

A comprehensive review of the Private Approach By-law has not been conducted since it was enacted in 2003 and is necessary to ensure that emerging issues and gaps in the regulations, requirements and fees are identified and addressed. The timing of the Private Approach By-law review aligns with the re-enactment of the new Zoning By-law, expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

2025 - Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change

Contact

Planning, Development and Building Services
PDBSLegdgspab@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Residential Protective Plumbing By-law

Description

Excess rain or snowmelt or a blockage in the sewer system can cause an increase in water level or surcharge. A backup occurs when the increased water level (surcharge) pushes water backwards through the service lateral into the home through floor drains, sinks and toilets.

The Residential Protective Plumbing Program provides financial assistance to qualified City of Ottawa property owners for the installation of protective plumbing devices, such as sump pumps and storm and sanitary backwater valves to prevent water and sewage from flooding homes as a result of increased water level (surcharging) in the City’s sewer system.

This by-law review will:

Revise and update the existing by-law based on a municipal comparison and general feedback
Adopt the previous Secondary Sump Pump with Back-up Power Pilot(link is external)

The Residential Protective Plumbing By-law (No. 2016-316) was most recently updated in 2016. To further update the Program, a municipal comparison, along with a survey of City staff and previous participants will be undertaken to better understand and develop Program updates.

Get involved

Residential Protective Plumbing Program (RPPP) and By-law Review | Engage Ottawa(link is external)

Reports

Q1 2025 – Environment and Climate Change Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Project Management Office, Business and Technical Support Services
Infrastructure and Water Services
iws-btss-pmo@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Sewer Connection By-law

Description

Prior to 2003, sewer connections were addressed by the former municipalities and the Region of Ottawa-Carleton. In October 2003, Council enacted the existing By-law, harmonizing and repealing the various former municipal by-laws.

The Sewer Connection By-law (No. 2003-513) regulates sewer connections and sewage works in Ottawa, including permits, design and construction guidelines and standards. While the By-law addresses guidelines and standards, to date, an application form and permit have not been finalized.

This by-law review will clarify and update language in the by-law related to the construction, alteration, blanking, temporary or permanent connection or reuse of all building sewers and public sewage works as well as the installation of a maintenance hole.

Get involved

No current public engagement events. Please check back later.

Reports

2026 - Environment and Climate Change Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Project Management Office, Business and Technical Support Services
Infrastructure and Water Services
iws-btss-pmo@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Sewer Use By-law

Description

The Sewer Use By-Law (No.2003-514) regulates the control of discharges to sewers and sewage works.

The by-law review review will consider:

Updates to align to Provincial regulatory changes to O. Reg 267/03 for Biosolids, Guidelines for the Management of Biomedical Waste 1992 and new references to the Ontario Building Code Act Reg 129-04 and the Ontario Water Resources Act
Changes in industry trends
Permitting limited garburator usage
Enhanced language to educate industries on the compliance expectations

Enhanced language to educate industries on interceptor maintenance requirements
Additional and more transparent compliance tools

Get involved

Sewer Use By-law review | Engage Ottawa(link is external)

Reports

Q1 2025 - Environment and Climate Change Committee

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Contact

Project Management Office, Business and Technical Support Services
Infrastructure and Water Services
iws-btss-pmo@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)

Special Events By-laws

Description

This review will consider:

The impacts of the pandemic on Ottawa’s festival and event sector
Requirements for smaller community-based events
Ways to facilitate street events and food trucks
Strategies to maintain public health and safety
The prevention of harassment and nuisance behaviours
Developing sustainable practices

A comprehensive review of both the Special Events on Public and Private Property By-law, administered by Emergency and Protective Services department, and Special Events on City Streets By-law, administered by Public Works, will enable staff from both departments to coordinate stakeholder and public engagement, research and other activities more efficiently.