Legislation governing events

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) makes it possible for people of all abilities to be a part of their communities. The City of Ottawa encourages all event organizers to make their events as accessible as possible to all members of the public.

Use the self-assessment tool, Accessibility Standards Checklist to determine if an organization is required to comply with the AODA.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority's (TSSA) Amusement Device (AD) safety program regulates amusement rides in Ontario to ensure all devices conform to the Technical Standards and Safety Act and applicable regulations, codes, and standards.

As part of the AD safety program, the TSSA:

• Reviews and registers rides
• Issues permits for each ride in the current operating season
• Licences operators
• Conducts inspections and incident investigations
• Delivers public awareness campaigns throughout the province

Amusement devices under TSSA's jurisdiction include:

• Roller coasters
• Ferris wheels
• Merry-go-rounds (and other circular motion rides)
• Water slides, flume rides, dry slides
• Go-karts, bumper carts
• Inflatables (inflatable bouncers), bungee devices, bungee assisted bounces
• Zip lines (track and cable rides) and other generic spinning and whirling rides

The Ontario Building Code (Building Code Act, 1992) regulates the construction and demolition of buildings, including some temporary structures, and the inspection of such activities.

Highlights

• Defines a building as a structure occupying an area greater than ten square metres consisting of a wall, roof, and floor or an of them
• Tents constructed under the benefit of a building permit must be located at least 3 m away from property lines and all other structures, including buildings on the same property
• Outlines requirements for inspections

For more information on building permit requirements for tents in Ottawa and fees, visit the Tents, awnings and canopies webpage.

The Licensing by-law (No. 2002-189) covers the licensing, regulating, and governing of certain businesses.

Highlights

• A business licence is required for every person who:
  • owns or runs a parking lot for compensation
    • does not apply to a parking lot run by a charitable organization or not-for-profit organization as long as all compensation received goes to said organization
  • promotes an all-night dance event
  • promotes an exotic animal entertainment event
    • does not apply to petting-zoos, agricultural shows or exhibits, pet shows, and other like shows provided that the animals used in the event are not exotic animals
  • promotes an exhibition
  • is an Itinerant Seller (and rural itinerant seller)
  • owns or runs a mobile refreshment vehicle, mobile refreshment cart, and mobile refreshment stand operator (and rural operator)
• Outlines exemptions for art and craft vendors
• Insurance requirements and fees for licence holders
• Outlines authority of inspectors

The Cannabis Act regulates the sale of cannabis and creates a framework for the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada.

Highlights

• Prohibits the promotion of cannabis and cannabis accessories indiscriminately to the general public through informational promotion
• Prohibits the use of a brand element or name of a producer or distributer, either directly or indirectly, to sponsor an event

The use of drones is regulated by Transport Canada. Drone pilots must have a Special Flight Operations Certificate to fly near or over advertised events, such as outdoor concerts, parades, and sporting events.

For drone use at events, the pilot must have:

• Valid drone pilot certificate for their type of operation (basic or advanced operations)
• Special Flight Operations Certificate for the specific activity

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) administers the Ontario Electrical Safety Code which describes the standards for electrical installations, products, and equipment. Depending on the installations/activities for the event, an ESA Request for Inspection may be required.

The Fireworks by-law (No. 2003-237) regulates the sale and use of fireworks within the Ottawa.

Highlights

• Firecrackers and prohibited fireworks may not be sold or discharged
• Consumer fireworks (outdoor, low hazard recreational fireworks available to the public) may only be discharged on Victoria Day and Canada Day, and the day before and after those days
  • May be displayed on privately owned land without a permit where the property owner has given permission for such a display
• Display fireworks (outdoor, high hazard recreational fireworks) require a permit issued by the Fire Chief
  • May be displayed on privately or publicly owned land where the property owner has given written permission for such a display
  • No restriction on date of display
  • Must be discharged by a qualified Fireworks Supervisor
• Pyrotechnic special effect fireworks (high hazard fireworks used to produce a special pyrotechnic effect for indoor or outdoor performances) require a permit from the Fire Chief
• Indemnification and insurance requirements for permit holders

The Municipal alcohol policy regulates alcohol that is sold, served, or consumed at events held on City property or at locations or events under the City’s control.

Highlights

• Events on street at which alcohol is to be sold, served, or consumed are allowed only under the following circumstances:
  • A special event on a closed street where establishments licensed by the AGCO (restaurants, bars, etc.) receive approval from the AGCO to set up or extend a patio onto the closed street, as noted in Appendix A, Site Plan 1, for reference/example purposes only; or,
  • A special event on a closed street with an enclosed area licensed by the AGCO to sell and allow the consumption of alcohol by SOP, issued to a charity or AGCO-recognized non-profit organization, as noted in Appendix A, Site Plan 2, for reference/example purposes only.
  • For clarification purposes, street includes all portions of the right of way and includes pathways
• The City will not allow the sale, serving and consumption of alcohol in a scenario where servings of alcohol may leave a bar or patio area and circulate openly on the street. This stipulation also applies to designated Municipally Significant events.
• Events at which alcohol is to be sold, served, or consumed, occurring outdoors on municipal properties, other than the right of way, are allowed only under the following circumstances:
  • The area licensed to sell or allow the consumption of alcohol by SOP or other approval from the AGCO, which is issued to a charity or AGCO recognized non-profit organization, is enclosed, as noted in Appendix A, Site Plan 3, for reference/example purposes only; or,
  • An event at which only a small part of the entire event area (example: tent) is enclosed and licensed to sell or allow the consumption of alcohol by SOP or other approval from the AGCO, which is issued to a charity or AGCO recognized non-profit organization, as noted in Appendix A, Site Plan 4, for reference/example purposes only.

The Noise by-law (No. 2017-255) regulates noises, such as sound reproduction and amplification devices for special events.

Highlights

• No bass noise, unusual noise, or noise likely to disturb
• No use of sound/amplification systems between 11 pm and 7 am
• No use of sound/amplification systems before 9 am on Saturdays
• No use of sound/amplification systems before 12 pm on Sundays or statutory/public holidays
• The noise from sound/amplification systems cannot be greater than 55 dBA when measured outside the business or residence of the person whose peace and comfort has been disturbed (the point of complaint)
• Organizers may apply for a Noise by-law exemption which could allow amplified sound and/or music:
  • Up to 65 dBA at the point of complaint
  • Before 7 am weekdays, 9 am Saturdays and noon Sundays and holiday Mondays
  • After 11 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays before holiday Mondays

The Parks and facilities by-law (No. 204-276) regulates and promotes the responsible enjoyment and use of City parks and facilities.

Highlights

• Permit requirements for events held in a City park
• General prohibitions including the use of drones, motor vehicles, open fires, and animals in City parks
• Indemnification and insurance requirements for permit holders

Note: Activities normally prohibited in City parks require approval and a variance letter to be included in a special event. Approvals and letters are arranged through your site coordinator.

The Signs on city roads by-law (No. 2003-250) regulate signs and advertising devices on City roads.

Highlights

• Community special event signs are not placed more than twenty-one (21) days before the special event date and must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the community special event date
  • Community special event is defined as a non-profit community sponsored event which is attended by crowds of less than 10,000 persons
  • Community special event signs consist of A-frame or poster signs
• A permit is needed for street banners and decorative banners
  • A street banner is a banner that extends across a roadway, and which advertises a major special event
  • Street banners are not placed more than twenty-one (21) days before the special event date and must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the event
  • A decorative banner is a banner placed on a utility pole or similar structure designed to support such a banner to promote a major special event or an event (such as an anniversary or fundraising event) promoted by a public institution or non-profit community service provider
  • Major special event is defined as an event designed to attract the local population and tourism to the City and which is attended by crowds of more than 10,000 persons
• Outlines processing and inspection fees for banner permits
• Indemnification and insurance requirements for permit holders
• The National Capital Commission must approve any signs prior to being placed on Confederation Boulevard

The Smoking and vaping by-law (No. 2019-241) prohibits the smoking and vaping of tobacco, cannabis, and any other substance in public places and workplaces.

Highlights

• Smoking and vaping is prohibited in the following places:
  • on outdoor municipal property
  • on any outdoor restaurant or bar patio
    • Note: An outdoor restaurant or bar patio includes any area of an event site where food or drink is served or sold or offered for consumption
  • in any enclosed public place
  • in any enclosed workplace
  • in the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park stadium
  • in the TD Place Stadium

The Special events on public and private property by-law (No. 2013-232) covers the permitting, regulating, and governing of special events on public and private property.

Highlights

• Outdoor events with an expected attendance of at least 500 people at one time (i.e., the peak attendance) require a special event permit.
• The event will be evaluated by and provided a list of requirements by the Special Events Advisory Team (SEAT), which must be met for a permit to be issued
• Outlines payment for the provision of City services or police services
• Indemnification and insurance requirements for permit holders

The Special events on city streets by-law (2001-260) regulates special events on City streets.

Highlights

• All special events that operate on the City’s right-of-way require a permit
• Event is responsible for traffic control measures required by the City or Chief of Police
• Outlines payment for the provision of police services
• Indemnification and insurance requirements for permit holders
• Outlines specific conditions related to the execution of special events, parades, sporting events, residential block parties, sidewalk sales, and demonstrations
• Provides guidelines for route marshals