Category Little Free Libraries in ROW   Show all

  • Background - Little Free Libraries within ROW

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    The current City of Ottawa Use and Care of Roads By-law does not permit the installation of a Little Free Library within the ROW.

    The benefits of permitting Little Free Library installations within City of Ottawa ROW’s can include:

    • Increasing a sense of community
    • Improving literacy rates
    • Ensuring affordability as these resources are free for all users
    • Providing access to different reading materials
    • Providing a means to recycle used books

  • Proposed Regulations - Little Free Libraries within the ROW

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    Proposed Regulations for Little Free Libraries


    In addition to complying with the proposed regulations for residential ROW gardening, anyone wishing to install a Little Free Library within the right of way will also be subject to the following:


    Proposed Regulation

    		 Explanation

    A signed letter of acknowledgement must be provided to the City before installing a Little Free Library.

    To help with the tracking of these installations should the Little Free Library need to be repaired or removed, the City will be requiring a signed letter of acknowledgement with contact information.

    No library box may be installed within one (1.0) metre of a roadway.

    This helps to ensure that our roadways remain clear and unencumbered from library installations, and provides a setback so that users are visiting away from the travelled portion of a roadway. This setback provides parking room for vehicles and an area for passengers to enter / exit. Lastly, this provides clearance from snow maintenance operations and as well as sufficient snow storage.

    A Little Free Library may not have a permanent foundation.

    Little Free Libraries must be removable should the City, or a utility company require access to install, maintain or repair infrastructure.

    Additionally, permanent foundations such as poured concrete present a greater risk to underground utility infrastructure.

    All Little Free Libraries must be maintained in a good state of repair.

    To ensure that Little Free Libraries do not present a safety hazard.

    A Little Free Library may only be installed within the ROW abutting your residential property.

    To ensure the Little Free Library is installed near the owner’s residence for ease of maintenance, monitoring, and so as not to encumber others.

    A Little Free Library will only be permitted on a local road.

    Road classifications can be found using geoOttawa.

    It is proposed to limit the permission for Little Free Libraries at this time to local roads only as these installations can draw motorists to park near them, which presents mobility and safety concerns along busier roads.

    Corner lots - A Little Free Library will not be permitted within the area shown below:

    To help ensure the safe movement of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians at intersections.

  • Additional Considerations – Little Free Libraries within the ROW

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    In addition to the proposed regulations, residents must be aware of the following:

    1. A signed letter of acknowledgement must be submitted to the City before a Little Free Library may be installed within the City’s ROW.
    2. Any person installing a Little Free Library within the City’s ROW does so at their own risk and is responsible for its installation, maintenance, upkeep and removal.
    3. Installation should not be over top of any subsurface utilities.
    4. Should the City, or a utility company require access to install, maintain or repair infrastructure, a resident may be required to remove a Little Free Library and neither the City nor the utility company will be responsible for any damage to the Little Free Library, or its replacement or re-installation.
    5. Where a Little Free Library installed in accordance with the proposed regulations presents a safety, operational or drainage issue, the City may require the alteration or removal of the Little Free Library by the resident.

  • FAQ's

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    FAQ’s

    • What is a Right of Way?
      • This term refers to the City-owned portion of a piece of land. It is often wider than the roadway or sidewalk and can include an extensive grass boulevard. In addition to the asphalt roadway the ROW includes space for sidewalks, boulevard trees, as well as above and underground utilities. The extent of the City’s ROW can be determined through a Plan of Survey, or through the City’s geoOttawa program as a guide to illustrate the boundary of the City’s ROW and your property.
    • What if a utility company or the City of Ottawa is undertaking work within the Right of Way where I have installed a gardening project or a Little Free Library?
      • When re-instating, the City or utility may leave the area in a state for the resident to re-plant, (providing soil only). With the exception of emergency work, the utility company or City of Ottawa will advise the resident in advance of planned work within the ROW. When you receive this notice, you should reach out to the contact on the notice to determine if you need to remove any of your garden items or Little Free Library. Neither the City, or a utility company will save and re-instate gardens or Little Free Libraries installed by residents.
    • What if my garden or Little Free Library has been damaged within the ROW?
      • Gardening projects and Little Free Libraries are the responsibility of the abutting property owner.
    • What if a gardening project or Little Free Library installed within the ROW is abandoned?
      • Similarly to the existing Use and Care of Roads By-law today, responsibility for maintenance and removal of gardening projects or Little Free Libraries will be with the abutting property owner.
    • What if I want to install a garden or Little Free Library that does not meet the requirements set out in the by-law?
      • Should you wish to undertake a gardening project or a Little Free Library installation that does not fit the outlined requirements, you can reach out to ROWADMIN@Ottawa.ca to determine if your request can be accommodated. You may be required to enter into an agreement and obtain additional permits and approvals including obtaining appropriate insurance.
    • What if I want to plant a tree within the ROW?
      • Residents are not permitted to plant trees within the ROW. The City of Ottawa Forestry Services Branch is responsible for planting trees on all City property including the ROW, please visit Trees in Trust | City of Ottawa for more information on having a City tree planted in the ROW abutting your property.
    • Do I require a permit or have to contact the City of Ottawa before initiating a gardening project?
      • No, residents would not be required to obtain a permit to complete gardening projects in the ROW, so long as the proposed by-law regulations and guidelines are followed.
    • Do I require a permit or have to contact the City of Ottawa before installing a Little Free Library?
      • Yes, residents would be required to complete and sign a letter of acknowledgement with no associated fee (to be located on Ottawa.ca) that outlines Library owner contact information, library location, as well as other obligations and requirements as outlined in the signed acknowledgement.
    • What am I permitted to plant in the ROW?
    • What if I have an existing gardening project or Little Free Library that will not comply with the proposed regulations?
      • Should the regulations be approved by City Council, all gardening projects and Little Free Libraries within the ROW would need to comply.
    • Do I require locates before beginning a gardening project or installing a Little Free Library within the ROW?
    • What is soft landscaping?
      • Organic materials and vegetative in-ground plantings such as ornamental flowers and grasses, and may also include some accessory ground cover, such as mulch or similar pervious material located in and around plantings. This excludes non-organic surfaces such as artificial grass. (Note: Please see FAQ on food growing).
    • Can I grow food (vegetables, fruit, nuts or seeds) within the ROW?
      • No, at this time it is not being proposed to permit the growing of food within the City’s ROW. The City may consider reviewing this policy in the future as it relates to improving food security.
    • What does hand-digging only mean?
      • Hand digging means the use of hand tools only. This helps to mitigate the risk of damaging telecommunications, gas, hydro, or City services to your home. No mechanical and or automated tools are permitted for digging within the ROW. Before you dig, remember to always contact Ontario OneCall Ontario One Call – Click Before You Dig. It is provincial law to ensure that locates are in place prior to any digging within the ROW.
    • Can I install riverstone, rocks, pavers, bricks, or other hard materials?
      • No, these are considered hard landscaping items and are not permitted to be installed within the ROW. These items present a safety hazard as they may get caught or become projectiles in snow clearing equipment, or present a trip / fall hazard. In addition, the City does not want residents to alter stormwater drainage with impervious materials.
    • Can I place mulch in and around my ROW garden?
      • Yes, mulch is an acceptable material to place around plantings and fits within the definition of soft landscaping.
    • As a tenant, can I undertake a gardening project or install a Little Free Library within the ROW, abutting my residential property?
      • Yes, however tenants must receive written permission from their landlord in order to undertake gardening projects or Little Free Libraries within the ROW. The Use and Care of Roads By-law states that the owner of lands zoned residential is responsible for cutting the grass / weeds on an abutting boulevard. The owner will also be responsible for any gardening projects or Little Free Libraries abutting their residential property.
    • Can I undertake a gardening project or install a Little Free Library in the ROW abutting a neighbour’s property?
      • Yes, with written permission from the neighbouring property owner.
    • Am I allowed to alter the grading of the ROW with my gardening project?
      • No, gardening projects may not alter existing grading as they may result in drainage issues on your own or neighbouring properties.
    • Can I undertake a gardening project in a ditch?
      • No, altering a ditch or bio-swale is not permitted, they are installed and graded with purpose to allow for the natural movement of stormwater, winter run-off and drainage. City maintenance staff also frequently dig-out ditches which would ruin any gardening projects.
    • Can I install a Little Free Library on my property instead of the ROW?
      • Yes.
    • Can I use planter boxes or a raised garden bed within the ROW?
      • No, planter boxes or raised garden beds are not currently nor proposed to be permitted within the ROW.
    • Can I install an irrigation system within the ROW?
      • No, irrigation systems are not permitted to be installed within the ROW.