5 things to know about Ottawa’s new rules for festivals and events

Ottawa City Hall in autumn. (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa is proposing new rules for food trucks, exemptions for bar and restaurant owners to host after-hours events and allowing for late-night noise exemptions when outdoor festivals are affected by weather delays to help the city shake the image as the town that fun forgot.

A new report recommends the implementation of a new Special Events Bylaw and a Highway Events Bylaw to regulate festivals, events and other activities indoors, outdoors and on roadways across Ottawa. The bylaw would replace the current Special Events on Private and Public Property Bylaw.

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There were 228 events in the City of Ottawa last year, up seven per cent from the year before. The Ottawa Festival Network says large festivals support approximately 70,000 jobs and generate over $320 million in spending annually.

“Staff’s review indicates that while the existing bylaws have largely been effective, growing demand and increasing complexity of events necessitate updates to improve operational efficiency and enhance public safety,” the report says.

A joint meeting of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee and the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the proposal on May 15.

CTV News Ottawa looks at five proposed changes for special events in Ottawa:

Late-night noise exemptions

Festivals and events will be allowed to keep the party going after 11 p.m. in the event of severe weather, power failures or other “unforeseen delays.”

Currently, noise exemptions are allowed until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

Staff say event organizers asked for “additional flexibility” when outdoor events are impacted by weather, power failures, technical difficulties or transportation delays for artists and athletes.

The new bylaw will allow event organizers to extend their event until midnight if the event is impacted by “unavoidable delays” beyond their control. Under the proposal, the director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the ward councillor, will be able to approve a 60-minute extension.

Food trucks on the move

The proposed new bylaw would provide “more opportunities” for food trucks and mobile vendors to set up at block parties, street festivals, night markets and other events on roadways, according to staff.

“Under the recommended changes, one licensed food truck or mobile vendor would be able to participate in a block party without requiring additional permits or approvals,” says the report. “Multiple food trucks or mobile vendors would be able to participate in other highway events without requiring additional permits or approvals.”

After-hours events in bars and restaurants

The City of Ottawa is proposing reducing the red tape for bar and restaurant owners and special events operators to offer late-night events.

The city currently requires events “where any part of the event takes place between the hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m.” to obtain an All-Night Dance Event licence.

However, staff note the Ontario government has enacted new rules for licensed establishments to serve until 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario may also issue periodic extensions to hours of operations for licensed establishments and Special Event Permits for unlicensed venues celebrating events.

To remove duplicate requirements for inspections and approvals, the city’s new bylaw would create an exemption within the All-Night Dance Event Licence for venues operating under an AGCO licence or permit, so they wouldn’t require a new permit from the city.

‘Safer Events’ training

The new Special Events Bylaw will require staff and volunteers to complete the Ottawa Public Health “Safer Events” training course prior to working or volunteering at events. The annual requirement will apply to all staff and volunteers 12 and older.

The Ottawa Public Health training course provides information to help reduce risks associated with mental health, violence, and substance use, according to the city.

“Equipping special event staff and volunteers with this knowledge supports earlier and more effective intervention, thereby reducing harm for patrons, risk for event organizers and service demand for emergency services,” staff say.

Weekday road closures

The City of Ottawa will be changing the rules for road closures on weekdays, giving staff and the ward councillor the authority to close roads.

Currently, parades and sporting events are not permitted on a city street during weekday peak period traffic hours, and sidewalk sales are prohibited between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during weekday periods.

Under the new Highway Events Bylaw, the general manager of Public Works and the ward councillor can approve the closure of an arterial road or major collector between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays for events.

The City of Ottawa is also proposing new rules for demonstrations, no longer requiring organizers to obtain a special event permit. The new rules would require “voluntary notification” to the city ahead of a planned demonstration or event.