Staff would like to recommend creating a single by-law and permit system for outdoor special events, rather than the two separate systems that currently exist for events on the roadway and events on other properties. We expect this will make it easier for event organizers and provide better service for less cost to taxpayers. Under the proposed approach, all these outdoor special event applications (other than demonstrations) would be processed and supported through Event Central and the Special Events Advisory Team.  

Currently, there is no cost for a special event permit, even though processing and approving an event can cost the City anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. While charging fees can help to reduce costs to the City, it can also make it harder for community groups and entrepreneurs to start new events or provide free events. The City is interested in hearing your perspective on this matter. 

The City’s Special Events on City Streets By-law includes regulations for events on City streets. Lack of information concerning road closures, impacts to mobility, and parking has been raised in previous public surveys. The following questions pertain to how the City can better communicate traffic disruptions to residents and regulate the traffic management activities associated with special events on City streets. 

Under the current by-laws, an application for a special event on City streets must be submitted a minimum of 28 days in advance, and an application for a special event on private and public property requires minimum times of 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on its complexity, size and anticipated impacts to the community. The City is reviewing these application timelines and considering whether more time should be provided to plan for large-scale events with city-wide impacts.  

Currently, noise exemptions for special events are available until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am the next day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (only when Monday is a holiday). Any extension beyond these times requires a vote by City Council. Staff have been asked to consider if noise exemptions for special events should be available until midnight on weeknights, with the approval of just the Ward Councillor or Councillors where the event occurs. 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates the sale of alcohol. Normal hours of alcohol service end at 2am, with an extension until 3am on New Year’s Day. The AGCO may also extend the hours of operation for a licensed establishment, upon application, for events of municipal, provincial, national, or international significance.  

However, the City also requires an “All Night Dance Event” business license “where any part of an event takes place between the hours of 0300 and 0900, and where the principal activities include listening and dancing to music.” This requirement was intended to regulate underground dance parties (“raves”) and not licensed establishments undertaking approved events.  

To remove this duplication, staff are considering an exemption from “All Night Dance Event” licensing for events occurring under an AGCO license. This will not impact the City’s ability to manage nuisance or public health and safety issues occurring at these events, but it will reduce the regulatory burden, and costs, for bar and restaurant owners in support of the City’s nightlife economy and the many celebrations that occur throughout the year. 

The next series of questions address block parties. Under the current definition, a residential block party may include a barbecue, dance or any like social event that the majority of residents living within the street closure limits support. Staff would like to assess public interest in allowing neighbourhood road closures for sporting and fitness activities, similar to Calgary’s Play Street program. 

To get a block party permit, an applicant must demonstrate that they have made reasonable effort to notify residents of the street. This could include providing copies of a flyer or electronic distribution. However, if a block party has received complaints in the past, the applicant will have to provide a petition demonstrating support from the majority of residents of the street before another permit will be issued. 

Staff are exploring opportunities to allow amenities like food trucks and mobile vendors at block parties. Staff assess that it would be reasonable to allow one food truck or mobile vendor at a block party through the permit process.  Staff do not support allowing bouncy castles and other high-risk activities without a more robust special event permit, to ensure liability and insurance requirements are met.  

Currently, vendors on City streets are prohibited from operating between 11 pm and 6 am. City staff would like to propose allowing food trucks and other mobile vendors to operate later if they are part of a night market or other type of permitted special event.  

Staff are exploring possible regulations to address harassment and other forms of nuisance behaviour at special events. To help ensure that everyone can have a good time at special events, staff are considering regulations addressing a code of conduct for event organizers and participants. 

Codes of conduct can be either value-based or rule-based. Value-based codes provide general guidelines for behaviour, such as “Respect the environment and each other.” and “Use substances responsibly.” Rules-based codes of conduct require or prohibit specific actions, such as “No smoking” or “No swearing.” 

Value-based codes provide more latitude for event organizers to manage behaviour according to the circumstances and the norms of their general audience, whereas rules-based codes apply equally under all circumstances. In either case a code of conduct cannot allow activities that are prohibited by federal laws, provincial statutes or municipal by-laws or regulations. 

Volunteers are essential to the success of special events in the City of Ottawa. Volunteers include dedicated community members, high school students fulfilling their required volunteer hours, and residents passionate about the arts, among others. They contribute in various capacities: food and beverage service, limited security functions, greeting attendees, and assisting individuals with accessibility needs. While the City recognizes the important part that youth play in supporting special events through volunteerism, the city is considering placing limits on the functions that youth can safely fulfill in order to ensure their safety while volunteering at events. 

The City’s Special Events on City Streets By-law describes the City’s regulations for events on City streets, including demonstrations. The City currently asks that demonstration organizers fill out an online application form so information on date, time, location and number of attendees can be communicated to City services in order to ensure a seamless and safe experience for all residents. Staff are considering separating demonstrations from special events. Rather than requiring a special event permit and meeting all the requirements designed for those events, demonstration organizers would be requested to complete a simple notification process. This process would provide the City and police partners with the information necessary to maintain public safety and manage community impacts without creating undue barriers to the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

Demonstrations can raise awareness and drive change, but they can also create logistical challenges and affect residents’ daily routines.  Finding a balance between coordinating resources for peaceful demonstrations and minimizing disruptions remains a key consideration for the City. For example, some demonstrations can impact traffic flow when participants block roads, highways or major intersections.  These disruptions can cause traffic congestion and/or prevent the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. 

The City can incur additional costs for policing and by-law enforcement, emergency services, traffic management and other necessary services that are responding to unpermitted events or event organizers who are not abiding by the conditions on a permit. This can strain the municipal budget and the ability of City services to support other special events.  

During various public consultations, staff have heard about strong desire for more information on hosting special events in Ottawa. In response, staff are considering hosting public workshops or information sessions. These sessions will explain the requirements for special event organizers and guide them on how to apply for a special event permit, if needed 

Ottawa Public Health’s Party Safer program is designed to help individuals reduce health risks while participating in social events. This free, 30-minute online course teaches participants how to identify signs of an overdose and how to administer Naloxone. The program also addresses sexual activity, emphasizing the importance of clear consent, and further offers general tips on harm reduction and safer partying habits.

As a part of the City of Ottawa’s special events by-law review, staff are reviewing the regulations that govern sidewalk sales. 

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