Do I need a permit to place a dumpster on my street during construction cleanup in Ottawa?

Yes, if the dumpster sits on the street. A bin or dumpster on the street, boulevard, sidewalk or a public laneway needs a City of Ottawa Temporary Construction-related Encroachment (TCE) permit, issued under the Road Activity By-law. The City lists roll-off containers among the things that need one.

What the City publishes for 2026:

• Fee: $101 for an encroachment of 10 working days or less, or $998 for a longer one or any renewal. Fees are non-refundable.
• Daily rental of the space: $2.02 per square metre per day on a road or sidewalk ($0.87 on a boulevard), with a $41 daily minimum.
• Timing: the City asks for at least 10 business days to process an application.
• Who can apply: the City accepts applications from construction companies, contractors or residents, so agree in writing who is getting it.
• While the bin is out: the permit holder posts the permit on site, supplies any traffic-control devices and clears snow from the area.

A bin kept entirely on your own property is not covered by the TCE permit, but the end of a driveway near the street can be City land, so check before the bin arrives.

For cleanup work this mostly means booking early: with a 10-business-day minimum, the permit has to be in hand before the bin can go on the road.

Ask the cleaning or bin company, in writing, whether they are applying for the permit or whether you are.

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