Solid Waste Services (By-law No. 2024 - 453)

This is a consolidation of the City of Ottawa Solid Waste Services By-law No. 2024-453. This version contains the following amending By-laws:

• 2024-534
• 2025-2
• 2025-467
• 2026-22
• 2026-91
• 2026-247

This consolidation of the By-law is current to June 1, 2026.

A by-law of the City of Ottawa to provide for solid waste management and to repeal by-law 2012-370.

WHEREAS Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001, authorize a municipality to pass by-laws that are necessary or desirable for municipal purposes  and, in particular, respecting economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality including climate change; health, safety and wellbeing of persons; services and things that the municipality is authorized to provide; and protection of persons and property;

AND WHEREAS Section 391 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that a municipality may pass by-laws imposing fees or charges on persons for services or activities provided or done by or on behalf of it;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of the City of Ottawa enacts as follows:

Section 1 - Definitions

In this by-law:

“additional collections” means services required by the owner or designate of a multi-residential property whereby waste material is collected over and above the waste collection service allocated based on unit count;

“agricultural property” or “farm property” means a property as assessed by MPAC intended for farm operations with a household residence or residential property on site;

“appliances” means refrigerators, freezers, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, washers, air conditioners, hot water tanks, oil tanks, furnaces, or other similar items, as determined by the General Manager from time to time;

“approved container” means acceptable containers to support the set out and collection of collectable waste as approved by the City and outlined in Schedule “D”;

“black box” or “fibre recycling container” means a recycling container as described in Schedule “D” that is used for the collection of fibre (paper, cardboard and other) recyclable materials as described in Schedule “G”; (By-law 2025-467) 

“blue box” or “glass, metal and plastic (GMP) recycling container” means a recycling container as described in Schedule “D” that is used for the collection of glass, metal, plastic and other recyclable materials as described in Schedule “G”; (By-law 2025-467) 

“brush” means prunings of branches and woody materials not exceeding 7 centimetres in diameter and 1.2 metres in length as defined in O. Reg. 101/94;

“bulky items” means large items including, but not limited to, floor lamps, mattresses, furniture, sinks, dismantled toilets, barrels, pool pumps, pool covers and any other discarded materials, which items would normally accumulate at a residential property and can easily be lifted up and into a collection vehicle;

“Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer” means the person appointed and assuming the duties of Treasurer within the meaning of the Municipal Act, 2001, and refers to the person in the position of the Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer, Finance and Corporate Services Department, or authorized designate;

“Christmas trees” means natural trees including but not limited to pine, spruce, balsam or fir species, which are typically decorated for display during the Christmas season;

“City” means the municipal corporation of the City of Ottawa or the geographic area of the City of Ottawa, as the context requires;

“City designated IC&I” means any industrial, commercial & institutional property receiving municipal collection services of at least one material stream by the City’s Solid Waste Services, including but not limited to businesses registered with the City’s Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses, City designated municipal facilities and City designated schools;

“clean fill” means earth, soil or crushed rock fill (less than 100 mm) or waste of a similar nature that does not contain putrescible material or soluble/decomposable chemical substances;

“collection point” means the designated location where all collectable waste materials are set out for municipal waste collection services;

“collectable waste” or “collectable waste materials” means all waste material streams collected through the municipal waste collection services, as approved by the City and detailed in this by-law; 

“common pad” means a designated point of collection that is accessed by multiple owners to set out collectable waste for curbside waste collection service;

“containerized collection service” means the system of collection for collectable waste placed in City approved containers as described in Schedule “D” used for containerized collection for multi-residential properties and designated City facilities as approved by the City;

“contamination” or “contaminated” means the presence of any item or material set-out for collection that is not accepted through the municipal waste collection services as set out by the provisions of this by-law; 

“construction and demolition (C&D) waste” means waste generated as a result of construction, demolition or renovation activities, including but not limited to plaster, wood, drywall, masonry, tile, bricks, windows, shingles, insulation, as deemed by the City;

“contract” means an agreement covering the performance of the work, including the supply of any and all work, labour, implements and materials that could reasonably be required properly and satisfactorily to complete the work to be performed and also includes all contract documents, plans, specifications, contract bond, pre-qualification documents and any written supplementary agreements that may be made in order to ensure the work is completed in accordance with the standards set out in the contract;

“contractor” means any person, partnership or corporation and the employees of any such person, partnership or corporation with whom the City has entered into a contract or agreement for the collection or processing of waste;

“Council” means the Council of the City of Ottawa as defined in the Municipal Act, 2001;

“curbside” means the area directly in front of an owner's premises as close as possible to the travelled portion of the road without obstructing or interfering with the travelled portion of the road or any sidewalk;

“curbside collection service” means the system of collection for all collectable waste placed in City approved containers as described in Schedule “D” for curbside collection from eligible serviced locations including residential, eligible IC&I and designated city facilities as approved by the City;

“customer service agreement” means a document that specifies the service details required for a multi-residential property, including but not limited to: property owner name and contact details; waste streams collected, collection frequency, number, size and type of collection containers, collection location of containers, handling distances, and property access details (By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247); 

“designated City facilities” means a City or municipal facility receiving municipal waste collection services for at least one material stream;

“disposal” means landfilling, incinerating, gasifying, or otherwise disposing of a material with no higher end-use of the material stream by-products other than energy;

“diversion” means to direct any material away from disposal by recycling, composting, or otherwise ensuring higher end use, other than disposal;

“diversion program” means a program established by the City to direct any material away from disposal by recycling, composting, or otherwise ensuring higher end use, other than disposal;

“eligible serviced location” means any property, including residential, mixed-use residential, City-approved multi-residential and industrial, commercial & institutional property (“IC&I”), and City facilities, that are designated by the City as eligible to receive municipal waste collection services either through curbside or containerized collection services; (By-law 2025-467) 

“Electrical and Electronic Equipment” or “E-Waste” means information technology, telecommunications, audio visual equipment, and lighting as defined at Schedule 1 of O. Reg 522/20 and includes, but is not limited to, computers, printers, cell phones, and cameras.

“Environmental Compliance Approval” or “ECA” means all certificates, permits and approvals required by the Province of Ontario and issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, for the undertaking of activities, pursuant to Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act and its regulations, as amended;

“Environmental Protection Act” means the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.19, as amended;

“farm waste” and “agricultural waste” means any waste that is the normal by-product of farming operations, generated by farm operation activities, including but not limited to plastic haylage wrappings, bale twine and rope, and plastic drainage tiles, but does not include:

1. residential waste;
2. construction and demolition materials from any building or structure;
3. organic material other than that resulting from clearing land for farm operation purposes; (By-law 2025-467)
4. blue box or black box material that can be placed in the curbside collection program;
5. human body waste, toilet or other bathroom waste, waste from showers or tubs, and liquid or water-borne culinary waste;
6. waste from a sewage works as defined under the Ontario Water Resources Act, if any criteria under subsection (1.0.1) are met;
7. dead farm animals, as defined in Ontario Regulation 106/09 (Disposal of Dead Farm Animals) under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, or regulated dead animals as defined in Ontario Regulation 105/09 (Disposal of Deadstock) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001;
8. inedible material as defined in Ontario Regulation 31/05 (Meat) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001;
9. any material condemned or derived from a carcass at a registered establishment as defined in the Meat Inspection Act (Canada) and;
10. any other material deemed unacceptable for disposal at a landfill site by the Ministry of the Environment or the General Manager.

“front-end loading container” means a two, three, four, six or eight cubic yard container emptied by a front-end loading forklift truck and used for the collection of garbage or recyclable material; (By-law 2026-247)

“garbage” means all materials set out for disposal save and except those materials defined in this by-law as bulky items, recyclable material, organic material, leaf and yard waste material, Christmas trees, and non-collectable waste; (By-law 2025-467)

“garbage item” means a City approved garbage bag or container/bin with a maximum volume of 140L and/or maximum weight of 15 kilograms (33 pounds) as outlined in Schedule “D” or any bulky item as and outlined in Schedule “F” and defined in this by-law;

“General Manager” means the General Manager of the Public Works Department of the City or authorized designate;

“green bin” means a City approved organics container as described in Schedule “D” which is used to collect organic material as described in Schedule “H”; (By-law 2025-467)

“Green Bin in Schools Pilot” means an organics collection program in local registered schools using the curbside waste collection service as approved by the City;

“hazardous waste” means any waste as defined in R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 347, as amended pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19, or any successor legislation;

“household hazardous waste” means any household product, material, or item labelled as “hazardous”, “toxic”, “explosive”, “ignitable”, “corrosive”, “reactive” or “flammable”;

“imported waste” means any waste transported into the City from outside of the City by any person;

“leaf and yard waste material” means any organic yard material collected for composting as outlined in Schedule “I”, including but not limited to leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, branches and brush not exceeding 7 centimetres in diameter and 1.2 metres in length; 

“medium and high density residential” means properties which consist of garden homes, town homes, terrace homes, maisonettes, stacked town homes, and apartment buildings; (By-law 2025-467)

“IC&I” means industrial, commercial, and institutional;

“industrial, commercial & institutional (IC&I) property” means a non-residential establishment as assessed by MPAC that includes, but is not limited to a small retail store, office, place of worship, day-care centre, school, city facility or other eligible serviced locations as designated by the City;

“material stream” or “stream” means a collection of similarly grouped collectable waste materials to be sent to the same destination facility for processing and or disposal; 

“mixed-use property” means any property containing a combination of residential property with IC&I property, as assessed by MPAC, eligible for municipal waste collection services as approved by the City. (By-law 2025-467)

“MPAC” means the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation responsible for assessing and establishing property types for municipal service eligibility and taxation purposes;

“multi-residential property” means a residential dwelling unit containing six (6) or more self-contained units, eligible for collection services as approved by the City; (By-law 2025-467)

“Municipal Act, 2001” means the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, Chapter 25;

“municipal law enforcement officer” means a person duly appointed by a by-law of the City to administer and enforce the provisions of this by-law;

“municipal waste collection services” means services for removal of collectable waste, including curbside collection services and containerized collection services, provided by the City or its contractor, from eligible serviced locations. The City reserves the right to determine which municipal waste collection services will be provided to each eligible property;

“needles and sharps” mean any medical device with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut the skin, or drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to used and unused hypodermic needles, syringes, insulin pen tips, scalpels, lancets and glass pipe stems;

“non-collectable waste” means any item designated by Provincial or Federal Legislation, Council or the General Manager as being prohibited for collection within the municipal waste collection system, as outlined in Schedule “E”;

“organic material” means solid, readily compostable, non-hazardous waste derived from food products, plants and animals and includes items described in Schedule “H” or as designated by the General Manager, as amended from time to time; excluding leaf and yard waste material (By-law 2025-467) (By-law 2026-91) 

“owner” means any registered owner, occupant, resident, lessee, tenant, property manager, property superintendent, developer, or any other person who resides in, occupies, or has control over a property within the geographic boundaries of the City of Ottawa;

“pathological waste” means any waste as defined in R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 347, c. E.19 as amended and includes but is not limited to:

1. any part of the human body, including tissues and bodily fluids; but excluding extracted teeth, hair, nail clippings and the like,
2. any animal carcass or part of;
3. non-anatomical waste infected with a communicable disease,
4. medicines, drugs or syringes; and
5. blood saturated bandages, dressings or other infected materials.

“person” means any individual, association, corporation, partnership, agency, or an agent or employee thereof, as the context requires;

“pet waste” means feces from any household pet including, but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and includes kitty litter and animal bedding whether separate or intermingled;

“private property” means property, which is privately owned and is not the City’s property, or property of a local board, or property of the Crown in Right of Ontario, the Crown in Right of Canada or any emanations thereof;

“public property” or “public space” means property, which is the City’s property, or property of a local board, or property of the Crown in Right of Ontario, the Crown in Right of Canada or any emanations thereof;

“public space waste container” means any container as approved by the General Manager used to dispose of all collectable waste materials generated on public property owned and collected by the City or its contractors;

“public space pet waste container” means any available container approved by the City for the disposal of pet-waste in public spaces as per posted signage for collection by the City or its contractors;

“putrescible” means able to decompose quickly enough to cause odours and attract flies, such as putrescible waste.

“recyclable material” means any waste material designated as blue box materials by the Ontario Blue Box Regulation (391/21) as outlined in Schedule “G” and amended from time to time;

“residential dwelling unit” means a property that: 

1. consists of a self-contained set of rooms located in a building or structure;
2. is used or intended for use as residential premises; and
3. contains kitchen and bathroom facilities that are intended for the use of the unit only.

“residential property” means a residential dwelling unit including but not limited to single-family residential properties, medium and high density residential properties, and mixed-use properties which receives municipal collection services, as approved by the City; (By-law 2026-247)

“residential waste” or “household waste” includes all waste material which would normally accumulate at a residential property or multi-residential property, but shall not include non-collectable waste;

“roll-off containers” or “roll-off’ means a City approved open top container characterized by a rectangular footprint, typically ranging in size from 20 to 30 yards and used to contain loads of waste materials and is emptied by a roll-off truck used to support containerized collection services as outlined in Schedule “D”. (By-law 2026-247)

“scavenge” means the unauthorized removal of garbage, recyclable material, leaf and yard waste material and/or organic material that has been set out at the point of collection; (By-law 2025-467)

“sharp objects” means an item having an edge or point and/or broken items capable of cutting or puncturing, including but not limited to broken glass, ceramics, mirrors, razor blades, sewing needles, nails, screws, axe, hatchet, lawnmower blades and sheet metal. For greater clarity, needles and sharps are not sharp objects for the purposes of this definition;

“single-family residential” means a residential property or dwelling unit with detached structure, available for occupation for non-business purposes and eligible for curbside collection services;

“special consideration items” means those items as outlined in Schedule “J”; 

“Special Considerations Program” means a curbside collection program for eligible registered residential property locations requiring collection of special consideration items on the weeks without scheduled garbage collection; (By-law 2025-467)

“special waste materials” means waste materials approved by the City for disposal at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill but requires special handling for proper disposal in accordance with this by-law and includes but is not limited to:

1. asbestos;
2. hay;
3. straw;
4. invasive species plant material as defined in the Invasive Species Act, 2015, S.O. 2015;
5. sensitive waste from government institutions as deemed by the City; and
6. certain types of oversized waste as deemed by the City. (By-law 2026-247) 

“Take It Back Program” means a City waste diversion program, where local retailers accept or take back materials that they sell to ensure they are reused, recycled or disposed of properly;

“Trail Waste Facility Landfill” means the City owned and operated waste facility landfill located at 4475 Trail Road, Ottawa, ON”; (By-law 2026-247)

“waste materials” means all collectable and non-collectable waste from any source;

“wet organic material” means liquid organic waste or material that has attained a fluid consistency and has not been drained; (By-law 2025-467)

“yellow bag” means a City approved bag that is yellow, available to all eligible serviced locations receiving curbside collection services whereby owners are required to purchase and use, in order to receive curbside waste collection services for any garbage items set out for collection above the set-out limit established in Schedule “B” or for eligible small IC&I properties setting out any garbage as part of the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses. Yellow bags can be purchased through City approved distribution locations at fees established in Schedule “A” for the set-out of additional garbage for collection; (By-law 2025-467, By-law 2026-22)  

“Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses” means a registration based collection program for eligible small IC&I properties that are required to purchase and use specific yellow garbage bags, in order to receive curbside waste collection services. (By-law 2025-467) 

Section 2 - Interpretation

1. This by-law includes Schedules “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I”, and “J”, and these Schedules are hereby declared to form part of this by-law. Any reference herein to any statute, regulation, by-law or other law shall be construed as a reference thereto as amended or re-enacted from time to time or as a reference to any successor thereto.
2. In this by-law, the necessary grammatical changes required to make the provisions in this by-law apply to corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals of any gender, and include the singular or plural meaning where the context so requires, shall in all cases be assumed as fully expressed.
3. The headings inserted in the by-law are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this by-law.
4. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any part, section, subsection or provision of this by-law to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or of no force and effect, any such part, section, subsection or provision shall be deemed severable, and the remainder of this by-law shall continue in force and be applied and enforced in accordance with its terms to the fullest extent possible according to law.
5. This by-law shall not be interpreted as exempting any person from the requirement to comply with any other City by-law. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this by-law and any other City by-law, the provisions which are more protective of the environment, and the health, safety and welfare of the general public shall apply

Section 3 - Application

1. This by-law applies to the collection and/or disposal of waste materials, including garbage, bulky items, special consideration items, organic material, recyclable material, and leaf and yard waste material, from all eligible serviced locations within the geographic boundaries of the City of Ottawa, including residential, City designated IC&I properties and City facilities, and public spaces as outlined in this by-law. (By-law 2025-467)
2. This by-law further applies to the Trail Road Waste Facility Landfill owned and operated by the City and accessed by the public for the purpose of waste disposal and processing as outlined in this by-law. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 4 - Powers and duties of the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer

1. The General Manager shall supervise and administer a collection system for garbage, bulky items, special consideration items, recyclable material, organic material, leaf and yard waste material and Christmas trees and shall be responsible for its operation. (By-law 2025-467)
2. The General Manager shall be responsible for maintenance and operations of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill in conformity with the Environmental Protection Act and any regulations passed thereunder, and any other applicable federal or provincial laws. (By-law 2026-247)
3. The General Manager shall establish waste diversion programs such as the Take It Back Product Program and other programs as deemed appropriate by the City, or as required by federal or provincial legislation.
4. The General Manager shall administer and enforce this by-law with the authority to determine:
   1. the level and type of collection service provided to eligible serviced locations, including residential, multi-residential and City designated IC&I properties;
   2. the type of properties that shall be eligible for any municipal waste collection services administered through Solid Waste Services;
   3. the location where all collectable waste materials are placed for collection at eligible serviced locations, including residential, multi-residential and City designated IC&I properties;
   4. the type of approved container, potentially unique to the property, used for the collection of all collectable waste materials from eligible serviced locations, including residential, multi-residential and City designated IC&I properties;
   5. the scheduling of municipal waste collection services administered by Solid Waste Services, including collection day or changes to collection schedules or services; (By-law 2026-247)
   6. whether a serviced location, point of collection or property is safe for entry by any employees of the City or its contractor having regard to the physical condition and layout, loading facilities, method of handling collectible material at the collection point; (By-law 2026-247)
   7. the designation of materials as the applicable types of waste materials addressed in this by-law;
   8. whether to continue or discontinue municipal waste collection services, for any waste stream and for any property serviced though the City’s Solid Waste Services, as necessary in the circumstances
   9. whether reinstatement of a municipal waste collection service or access to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill is appropriate in the circumstances, in whole or in part, after having been suspended, discontinued or revoked;
   10. any limits for, and any requirements associated with, waste materials to be collected or accepted;
   11. through inspection, the contents of any container/item set out for collection by any person or owner provided service under municipal collection services;
   12. whether reinstatement of a municipal waste collection service is appropriate in the circumstances, upon the owner demonstrating to the satisfaction of the General Manager that the owner will be in compliance with the provisions of this by- law; (By-law 2026-247)
   13. operational requirements and access rights to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill including: hours of operation, speed limits, standard operating procedures, and the types of waste accepted;
   14. whether amendments, replacements or deletions to the Schedules under this by-law are necessary and may, from time-to-time, proceed directly to Council to amend, replace, or delete said Schedules by way of placing a by-law directly on the Agenda of Council for enactment; and (By-law 2026-247)
   15. any other matter necessary for the administration of this by-law or necessary for the collection, disposal and processing of waste.

5. Should emergency conditions arise that, in the opinion of the General Manager, imperil municipal waste management sites or facilities, the General Manager shall: 

   a. take all remedial measures as may be necessary to protect public health, which may include limiting or stopping the collection of any waste material stream in any area and restricting collection for any specific purpose;
   b. expend money and employ workers as needed to restore the City’s solid waste system; and 
   c. report to Council as soon as practical after such measures have been taken. (By-law 2026-247)

6. The Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer shall perform the following duties pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001:

   a. invoice and collect the solid waste fees or charges related to waste diversion, collection and disposal as outlined in Schedule “A”; and
   b. implement enforcement provisions for outstanding fees or charges.

7. No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against the General Manager, or any city employee, or city contracted employee for any act done in good faith, in execution of any power or duty under this bylaw.
8. The City may enter into a contract with any person for the performance of the whole of any part of the work described in this by-law.

Section 5 - Eligibility for curbside collection services

1. Owners of residential properties as defined in this by-law, are eligible to receive municipal curbside waste collection services in accordance with service levels outlined in Schedule “B”, as approved by the City.
2. Owners of IC&I properties shall be eligible for curbside waste collection services through the City’s Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses, provided the following conditions are met, as approved by the City:
   1. eligible property shall be assessed as an IC&I property through MPAC;
   2. eligible property owner shall submit an annual registration application form for consideration and approval for the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses; (By-law 2026-247)
   3. sum total of waste generated per location shall not exceed the set-out limits applicable to the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses outlined in Schedule “B” (By-law 2025-2);
   4. garbage shall be set out in specific City approved yellow garbage bags purchased through City approved distribution locations, at the owner’s expense at prices outlined in Schedule “A”, as amended annually;
   5. recycling materials shall be set out in specific City approved carts provided by the City and supplemented or replaced at the owner’s expense when lost or stolen at prices outlined in Schedule “A”, as amended annually; and
   6. eligible property owner shall not be receiving any waste collection services for any collectable waste materials, as deemed by the City and outlined in this by-law, while registered and participating in the program. (By-law 2026-247)
3. Designated City facilities that do not exceed the waste set-out limits shall be eligible to receive curbside waste collection services, as outlined in Schedule “B”. (By-law 2026-247)
4. Every owner of an eligible serviced location shall comply with all provisions of this by-law in order to receive curbside waste collection services.
5. Schools registered through the City’s Green Bin in Schools Pilot, as designated by the General Manager, shall receive curbside waste collection of organic material as outlined in Schedule “B”, provided the material is set out in a City approved container as outlined in Schedule “D”. (By-law 2025-467)

Section 6 - Fees for curbside collection services

1. Owners of a residential property eligible for curbside waste collection services, as approved by the General Manager, shall pay the applicable City of Ottawa Solid Waste Curbside Collection User Fee as outlined in Schedule “A”, as amended annually.
2. All fees and charges levied under this Section and which are in arrears shall be subject to a monthly interest charge.
3. Owners of residential properties eligible for curbside collection services setting out garbage above the set-out limit outlined in Schedule “B” shall set-out garbage in a City approved yellow bag to be purchased at the owner’s expense, as outlined in Schedule “A”.
4. Owners of eligible IC&I properties registered in the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses shall set out garbage in a City approved yellow bag to be purchased at the owner’s expense, as outlined Schedule “A”.
5. Owners of eligible IC&I properties registered in the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses shall set out recycling materials in a City approved cart to be replaced at the owner’s expense, as outlined Schedule “A”. (By-law 2025-467) 

Section 7 - Curbside collection service levels

1. The City shall provide curbside collection of garbage, bulky items, special considerations items, recyclable material, organic material, leaf and yard waste material and Christmas trees to all eligible properties approved for curbside collection services in accordance with Schedule “B”. (By-law 2025-467)
2. Garbage and bulky items shall be collected curbside on a bi-weekly basis per scheduled collection day from eligible serviced locations in accordance with the provisions of this by-law and as outlined in Schedule “B”, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday as provided herein.
3. Special consideration items shall be collected curbside on a bi-weekly basis per scheduled collection day from eligible serviced locations, registered with the special consideration program, in accordance with the provisions of this by-law and as outlined in Schedule “B”, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday as provided herein. The collection of special consideration items will occur on the opposite week of regular bi-weekly garbage and bulky item collection.
4. Organic material shall be collected curbside on a weekly basis, per scheduled collection day, from eligible serviced locations, in accordance with the provisions of this by-law and as outlined in Schedule “B”, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday as provided herein. (By-law 2025-467)
5. Leaf and yard waste material shall be collected curbside on a weekly basis, per scheduled collection day, from eligible serviced locations, in accordance with the provisions of this by-law and as outlined in Schedule “B”, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday as provided herein.
6. Recyclable material shall be collected on a weekly basis per scheduled collection day, from eligible IC&I properties registered in the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses, with weekly set-outs of Fibre materials and GMP materials, in accordance with the provisions in this by-law and as outlined in Schedule “B”, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday as provided herein. (By-law 2025-467)
7. No curbside collection shall be made on the following Statutory Holidays which fall on scheduled collection days: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, unless an emergency or exceptional situation, as deemed by the City, arises and collection must occur on a holiday.
8. When a scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday, the collection shall be made one (1) day later for the remainder of the week, or as approved by the General Manager.
9. Curbside collection services shall occur between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday in accordance with this by-law, except when the scheduled collection day falls on a Statutory Holiday, as approved by the General Manager.
10. No curbside collection services shall be made on a Sunday unless an emergency or exceptional situation, as approved by the General Manager, arises and collection must occur on a Sunday.

Section 8 - Curbside collection limits, restrictions and exemptions

1. No owner shall exceed the set-out limits outlined in Schedule “B”, unless otherwise exempted through this by-law.
2. Owners of agricultural properties with a residential property on-site eligible for curbside collection services shall be exempt from the set-out limit applicable to garbage, as outlined in Schedule “B”, for applicable farm waste and agricultural waste only. Such exemption shall be deemed to be repealed effective January 1, 2028, unless otherwise extended by Council. (By-law 2025-467) 
3. No owner shall fail to properly dispose of non-collectable waste, as identified in Schedule “E”, or to arrange for disposal of such waste at the sole expense of the owner. The disposal of non-collectable waste shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws as they may relate to the waste described in Schedule “E”.
4. The City’s curbside waste collection service shall not include the collection and removal of any non-collectable waste as outlined in Schedule “E”, unless approved by the General Manager.
5. The City shall not collect waste of any kind from any residential property until a final occupancy permit is issued for said property.
6. The City shall not collect waste of any kind from unoccupied residential properties.

Section 9 - General curbside collection set-out requirements

1. No owner shall set out any collectable waste, at the point of collection earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the previous evening of the scheduled collection day and later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.
2. No owner shall fail to ensure that all collectable waste is set out at the point of collection no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day in order to receive collection services.
3. No owner shall place or permit the set out of non-collectable waste, as outlined in Schedule “E”, at the point of collection unless approved by the General Manager.
4. No owner shall fail to set out collectable waste in the appropriate approved container, as outlined in Schedule “D”, for curbside waste collection services.
5. No owner shall set out a container for collection that, as deemed by the City:
   1. is not an approved container in size and volume;
   2. emits a foul or offensive odour;
   3. harbours or attracts rats, other vermin or insects;
   4. contains waste that falls out of or protrudes from it;
   5. is unclean or unsanitary;
   6. has graffiti; or
   7. is damaged to the extent that it is unsafe to manoeuvre.
6. No owner shall fail to maintain, repair or replace an approved container, as outlined in Schedule “D”, at the owner’s expense, unless it has been damaged through collection operations, as deemed by the City.
7. No owner shall fail to remove or return any empty containers to the owner’s private property before 10:00 p.m. on the scheduled collection day.
8. No owner shall fail to ensure that all collectable waste is clearly separated by waste stream and not placed on top of one another on the scheduled collection day.
9. No owner shall fail to remove non-compliant and non-collectable waste from the point of collection before 10:00 p.m. on the scheduled collection day, unless otherwise approved by the General Manager.
10. No owner shall fail to remove any waste materials set out for collection which has become frozen, stuck to the container or the ground and cannot be removed by collection staff through shaking at the time of collection.
11. No owner shall permit any waste materials to be scattered from the point of collection and is responsible for cleaning up any scattered waste or debris due to improper set out, weather conditions, or animal scavenging.
12. “No owner, who receives curbside collection services, shall fail to pay the applicable City of Ottawa Curbside Collection User Fee as outlined in Schedule “A”, as amended annually. (By-law 2026-247)
13. No owner of IC&I property shall set out waste materials for municipal collection unless registered with the City’s Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 10 - Residential curbside garbage preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2025-467)

1. No owner shall set out more than three (3) garbage items per scheduled collection day, as outlined in Schedule “B”, unless the additional garbage items are set out in City approved residential yellow bag purchased by the owner, the fee for which is established in Schedule “A”, as amended annually.
2. No owner shall fail to ensure all garbage items, with the exception of bulky items, set out for collection, weigh no more than 15 kilograms (33 pounds) and/or are no more than 140 litres in volume, in accordance with the set-out limits outlined in Schedule “B”.
3. No owner shall fail to ensure that all garbage items are separated from all other collectable waste materials including recyclable material, organic material and leaf and yard waste material when placed out for collection. (By-law 2025-467)
4. No owner shall fail to ensure that garbage items set out for collection do not include non-collectable waste, including hazardous waste and prohibited materials, as outlined in Schedule “E”.
5. No owner shall set out sharp objects for collection, unless:
   1. the sharp objects are securely placed in a cardboard box; and,
   2. the box is labelled accurately to ensure that the operator is aware of the contents.

Section 11 - Residential curbside bulky item preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2025-467)

1. No owner shall set out any bulky items for collection unless such items are outlined in Schedule “F”, or approved by the General Manager for collection, at their sole discretion.
2. No owner shall fail to comply with the following conditions when setting out bulky items:
   1. Hazards, including but not limited to nails, batteries, lightbulbs and glass, are to be removed from bulky items prior to setting out for collection; and
   2. Bulky items must be of a weight and dimension to be able to fit into the collection vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.
      1. Despite Section 11(2)(b), textile floor coverings such as carpet, under pad or area rugs shall be securely tied into compact bundles of no more than 1.2 metres (4 feet) in length, 0.6 metres (2 feet) in width and height and not exceeding 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in weight.

Section 12 - Residential curbside special consideration item preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2025-467)

1. During weeks without scheduled garbage collection, no owners registered with the Special Considerations Program shall fail to ensure that eligible items set out for collection meet the requirements prescribed in Schedule “J” and are placed in a sealed disposable plastic garbage bag. (By-law 2025-467)
2. No owner registered with the Special Considerations Program shall set out more than one (1) sealed disposable plastic garbage bag of special consideration items. (By-law 2025-467)
3. Any additional items are prohibited from set-out during the weeks scheduled for special consideration items collection and will not be collected by the City.

Section 13 - Curbside yellow bag program for small businesses garbage preparation and set-out requirements

1. No owners of an eligible IC&I property registered with the Yellow Bag for Small Business program shall set out more than sixteen (16) City approved yellow bags for garbage collection on a bi-weekly basis on the scheduled collection day, as outlined in Schedule “B”.
2. No owner of an eligible IC&I property registered with the Yellow Bag for Small Business program shall fail to participate in all available waste diversion programs for curbside collection services, in order to receive curbside collection of garbage through the City’s Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses.
3. No owner shall fail to ensure that all garbage items are separated from all other collectable waste materials including recyclable material, organic material and leaf and yard waste material when placed out for collection.
4. No owner shall fail to ensure that garbage items set out for collection do not include non-collectable waste, including hazardous waste and prohibited materials, as outlined in Schedule “E”.
5. No owner shall set out sharp objects for collection, unless:
   1. the sharp objects are securely placed in a cardboard box; and,
   2. the box is labelled accurately to ensure that the operator is aware of the contents. (By-law 2025-467) 

Section 14 - Curbside yellow bag program for small businesses recyclable material preparation and set-out requirements

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that all recyclable materials are set out in the appropriate approved container, as outlined in Schedule “D”, and are separated from garbage, bulky items, special consideration items, and organic material and leaf and yard waste material.
2. No owners of an eligible IC&I property registered with the Yellow Bag for Small Business program shall set out more than two (2) City approved Fibre recycle carts and two (2) City approved GMP recycle carts for collection on a weekly basis on the scheduled collection day, as outlined in Schedule “B”. .
3. No owner shall set out any recyclable materials, other than those outlined in Schedule “G”, as amended from time to time.
4. No owner shall set out any GMP recycling materials, as outlined in Schedule “G”, for collection unless the following conditions are met:
   1. All GMP recycling materials are set-out loose and free of plastic bags or any other wrapping and placed in the appropriate approved container (blue cart);
   2. Any recyclable containers set out for recycling collection are empty, rinsed and free from residue;
   3. Any paint and aerosol cans are empty, residual paint is dry, and the lid is removed, as appropriate; and
   4. All GMP recycling materials are set out for collection in a City-approved GMP recycling container as identified in Schedule “D”. (By-law 2026-247)
5. No owner shall set out any fibre recycling material, as outlined in Schedule “G”, for collection unless the following conditions are met:
   1. Boxes are broken down and corrugated cardboard shall be flattened, and/or cut down to a manageable dimension with plastic wrapping and polystyrene packaging materials removed and separated from the corrugated cardboard and deposited in a City-approved fibre recycling container as identified in Schedule “D”. (By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247) 

Section 15 - Curbside organic material preparation and set-out requirements

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that the household organic material, as outlined in Schedule “H”, is separated from all leaf and yard waste material, garbage, special consideration items, bulky items and recyclable material at the collection point on the scheduled collection day. (By-law 2026-91,By-law 2026-247)
2. No owner shall set out household organic material other than those described in Schedule “H”, as amended from time to time by the General Manager.
3. No owner shall set out household organic material described in Schedule “H” for collection, unless the items are placed in an approved green bin as outlined in Schedule “D”.
4. No owner shall fail to ensure that all green bins and their contents set out for collection weigh no more than 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in order to receive collection services.
5. No owner shall set out wet household organic material for collection unless it has been drained and wrapped in absorbent material and/or an acceptable leak-proof bag, as approved by General Manager, prior to placement in an approved container as described in Schedule “D”.
6. No owner shall fail to remove organic material set out for collection which has become frozen, stuck to the container or the ground and cannot be removed by collection staff through shaking at the time of collection.
7. No owner shall set out pet waste in a City approved green bin, as outlined in Schedule “D”, for organics collection, unless:
   1. Pet waste set out for organics collection is in an approved green bin and does not exceed 25% of the volumetric capacity of an approved green bin; (By-law 2026-247)
      1. Pet waste exceeding 25% of the volumetric capacity of an approved green bin shall be flushed down the toilet in accordance with the City of Ottawa’s Sewer Use By-law; and
   2. Pet waste set out for organics collection shall be placed in a sealed, leak-proof bag as approved by the General Manager and as described in Schedule “H”.
8. No owner shall set out ashes for collection, unless the ashes are cold, and placed in a sealed paper or plastic bag prior to placement in a City approved green bin as outlined in Schedule “D”.
9. No owner shall set out sawdust for collection, unless the sawdust is placed in a sealed paper or plastic bag prior to placement in a City approved green bin as outlined in Schedule “D". (By-law 2025-467)

Section 16 - Curbside leaf and yard waste material preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247)

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that leaf and yard waste material, as outlined in Schedule “I”, set out for collection is separated from all organic material, garbage, special consideration items, bulky items, and recyclable material at the point of collection on the scheduled collection day. (By-law 2026-91)
2. No owner shall set out material for leaf and yard waste collection other than those described in Schedule “I”.
3. No owner shall fail to ensure that leaf and yard waste material is placed in an approved leaf and yard waste bag or leaf and yard waste container, as described in Schedule “D.
4. No owner shall fail to ensure that cuttings from trees and shrubs do not exceed 7 centimetres in diameter and 1.2 metres in length and are tied in in bundles that do not exceed 15 kilograms in weight and 0.6 metres in width.
5. No owner shall fail to ensure that Christmas trees are free of decorations and any other materials other than the tree itself when set out for collection as described in Schedule “B”. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 17 - Scavenging and illegal dumping

1. No person, other than a municipal law enforcement officer or a person authorized by the City to perform waste collection services, shall scavenge any waste materials that have been placed out for collection.
   1. Section 17(1) does not apply to the removal of loose, uncontained items such as bulky items, furniture and similar items.
2. No person shall interfere with or scatter any waste materials that have been placed out for collection.
3. No person shall collect waste materials, unless authorized by the City.
4. No person shall break, damage or remove any approved container or the cover thereof.
5. No person shall set out waste materials on any property:
   1. that is not owned or occupied by that person or
   2. the waste material has not been generated on said property. (By-law 2026-247)
6. No person shall impede in municipal waste collection services, unless authorized by the City.

Section 18 - Designated collection point for curbside collection services

1. Where properties eligible for curbside collection services front onto a public street, all items to be collected, pursuant to this by-law, shall be set-out at one (1) City approved point of collection at the laneway or parking entrance, at ground level as close as possible to the curb or travelled roadway and where the curb forms part of the sidewalk, as close as possible to the owner’s side of the sidewalk, so as not to impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or maintenance operations.
2. Where collection cannot be made under Section 18(1), and where a public lane of at least 4 metres in width and a height allowance of 3.97 metres and 0.15 metres as per the Solid Waste Guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development is not available for the purposes of collection, all items to be collected may be set out at one (1) City approved point of collection, at ground level as close as possible to the edge of the public lane, so as not to impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or maintenance operations.
3. Where collection cannot be made under Section 18(1) and where a property  eligible for curbside collection services is served by a properly designed, constructed and maintained road system whereby, in the opinion of the General Manager, the City or its contractor can safely drive onto the private property to an exterior ground level common pad, located adjacent to the road system, collect the waste materials, and return to public property, the City shall provide curbside collection services in accordance with Schedule “B”.
4. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection service, as outlined in Schedule “C”, shall place any waste material at a curbside collection point described in Section 18(1), unless otherwise approved by the General Manager.
5. No owner shall fail to ensure that, at all times:
   1. The point of collection is maintained in a safe, sanitary and clean manner; and
   2. the traveled portion of the road or sidewalk is not obstructed in any way.
6. No owner shall fail to maintain access to the collection point on the scheduled collection day that is:
   1. convenient and unimpeded by vehicles or obstacles;
   2. unobstructed by ice and snow/snowbanks; and
   3. of sufficient dimensions to enable the City or its contractor to collect items pursuant to this by-law within the collection vehicle.

Section 19 - Alternate and/or temporary curbside collection locations

1. Where collection cannot be made from the designated point of collection, all collectable waste shall be placed at an alternate collection location mutually agreed upon between the City, the City’s contractor and the owner as approved by the City.
2. When curbside collection is disrupted due to development construction or when access to the point of collection is blocked, it is the responsibility of the developer, at the developer’s sole expense, to:
   1. move the collectable waste from the eligible serviced location to a temporary collection location, approved by the General Manager, where collection staff can safely collect the waste; and
   2. return all empty containers to the appropriate eligible serviced location by the end of the scheduled collection day.
3. Despite Section 19(2), where collectable waste cannot be moved to a temporary collection location, the developer or developer’s contractor is responsible for collecting all waste through an alternative collection approach, as approved by the General Manager.

Section 21 - Eligibility for containerized collection services

1. Designated City facilities that meet the requirements for containerized collection as approved by the General Manager shall be eligible to receive containerized collection services.
2. Prior to receiving municipal containerized collection services as outlined in Schedule “C”, where the access and collection point are located on private property, unless otherwise provided for in this by-law, eligible multi-residential properties must meet the following conditions:
   1. The owner shall complete an application for waste collection services, as outlined in the Solid Waste Collection Guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development, for review and approval by the General Manager;
   2. The owner must facilitate an on-site inspection by the City to determine the owner’s ability to meet the requirements for waste collection services as outlined in the Solid Waste Collection Guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development; and
   3. The owner must enter into a customer service agreement with the City to receive municipal containerized collection services.  (By-law 2026-247)
3. No owners of an eligible multi-residential property receiving municipal containerized collection services shall fail to participate in the City’s green bin organics collection program and any additional waste diversion programs established and approved by the General Manager or required by provincial or federal legislation.
4. The owner of a newly constructed multi-residential property approved for containerized collection service shall notify the General Manager when a final occupancy permit has been issued, in order for containerized collection services to be initiated by the City.
5. The owner of a serviced location eligible for containerized collection services shall be responsible, at their sole expense, for the collection and disposal of waste materials until such time that municipal waste collection services are initiated by the City.
6. In the event that the above conditions cannot be met, and municipal containerized waste collection is not approved, the owner shall be responsible to arrange for alternative collection services, at their sole expense.
7. No owner of an eligible serviced location shall fail to comply with the provisions of this by-law as a condition to receive municipal waste collection services.
8. No owner of a newly constructed multi-residential property shall fail to establish a recycling diversion program, through a private waste collection contract, at their sole expense, in order to be eligible for containerized municipal collection services as outlined in this by-law. (By-law 2025-467) 

Section 22 - Fees for containerized collection services

1. The owner of each multi-residential property eligible for containerized collection services, as approved by the City, shall pay the applicable City of Ottawa Solid Waste Fee for multi-residential containerized collection as outlined in Schedule “A”, amended annually. (By-law 2026-22)
2. All fees and charges levied under this Section and which are in arrears shall be subject to a monthly interest charge.

Section 23 - Containerized collection service levels

1. The City shall provide containerized collection service to eligible serviced locations in accordance with the service levels and collection frequencies outlined in Schedule “C”.
2. Containerized garbage and bulky items collection shall continue when the scheduled collection falls on the following Statutory Holidays: Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Ontario Civic Holiday, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving Day. (By-law 2026-247)
   1. Despite Section 23(2), organic materials shall not be collected on the above stated Statutory Holidays. (By-law 2026-247)
3. No containerized garbage or bulky items collection shall be made on either New Year’s Day or Christmas Day, unless an emergency or exceptional situation, as deemed by the City, arises and collection must occur on New Year’s Day or Christmas Day. (By-law 2026-247)
4. No containerized collection for organic materials shall be made on the Statutory Holidays which fall on a scheduled collection day, unless an emergency or exceptional situation, as deemed by the City, arises and collection must occur on a Statutory Holiday. (By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247) .
5. When a scheduled collection day occurs on a Statutory Holiday, as described in Sections 23(2) and 23(3), the collection of organic material (green bin) shall be made one (1) day later for the remainder of the week, or as approved by the General Manager. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 24 - Additional containerized collection services

1. The owner of an eligible serviced location receiving containerized collection services shall be responsible for the cost of any additional services and extra waste collections above the limits prescribed in this by-law in accordance with the schedule of prices set out within the current multi-residential collection contract.
2. The owner of an eligible serviced location receiving containerized collection services shall give written permission to the contractor, by way of service request to the City or signed service agreement in order to receive additional services. (By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247) 

Section 25 - General containerized collection services

1. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to set out collectable waste materials in accordance with this by-law.
2. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall place any waste materials at a curbside point of collection, unless otherwise permitted by the General Manager.
3. No owner of an eligible property that receives containerized collection services shall fail to ensure that collectable waste materials set out for collection are sorted and separated into the appropriate approved containers as outlined in Schedule “D”.
4. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to ensure that multi-residential waste collection infrastructure is approved and maintained to the satisfaction of the City, as outlined in the Solid Waste Collection Guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development in order to continue to receive municipal waste collection services. (By-law 2025-467)

5. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to:

   (a) ensure the City, and its contractor, have unobstructed access to the collection point; and

   (b) maintain access to the collection point, including maintaining access in a safe and clean condition.(By-law 2025-467), (By-law 2026-247)

6. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to participate in waste audits, which evaluate the contents and contamination of material set out for collection, upon request of the City.
7. If a waste audit result reveals that the recovery of materials as part of a diversion program does not meet targets required by applicable legislation, and/or there is an unacceptable level of contamination as determined by the General Manager, the City may elect to suspend or terminate containerized collection services to the affected eligible property.
8. Where applicable, the collection and/or disposal of garbage, recyclable material, and organic material must be equitably accessible to all persons residing at the property, with adequate storage volume satisfactory to the General Manager. (By-law 2025-467)
9. A municipal law enforcement officer shall have the right to enter upon and inspect the internal and external waste collection and storage facilities of the property and multi-residential collection infrastructure to determine compliance with this by-law.
10. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall permit any waste materials to be scattered from the collection point or the storage location.
    1. Notwithstanding Section 25(10), an owner of an eligible property that receives containerized collection is responsible to clean up waste materials scattered from the collection point or the storage location.
11. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to ensure that all waste materials deposited into front-end loading containers are levelled off at the top of the container to allow for safe collection by the City and or its contractor. (By-law 2026-247)
12. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services where a waste compactor is in place and in use shall fail to disconnect compactor bins from the compactor unit and close/secure the side compactor doors prior to collection operations to allow for safe collection by the City and/or its contractor. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 26 - Containerized garbage preparation and set-out requirements

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that garbage items are placed entirely within approved containers as outlined Schedule “D”.
2. No owner shall fail to ensure that wet garbage is drained and placed in a leak proof bag prior to placement in an approved container as outlined in the Schedule “D”.
3. No owner shall fail to ensure that all garbage is separated from all other collectable waste materials including bulky items, recyclable material, and organic material when placed in approved containers for collection. (By-law 2026-247)
4. No owner shall fail to ensure that garbage set out does not include any non-collectable waste, including hazardous waste and prohibited materials, as listed in Schedule “E”.
5. No owner shall fail to ensure that garbage set out for collection does not exceed the set-out limits for eligible residential serviced locations on containerized service as outlined in Schedule “C”. (By-law 2026-247)
6. No owner of an eligible serviced location that receives containerized collection services shall fail to ensure that approved garbage containers as outlined in Schedule “D” are provided for use at the eligible residential serviced location at the sole expense of the owner. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 27 - Containerized bulky item collection set-out requirements

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that hazards, including but not limited to nails, batteries, lightbulbs and glass are removed from bulky items prior to setting out for collection.
2. No owner shall fail to ensure that set out bulky items are not placed in the front-end loading containers, but rather at the designated point of collection for bulky items as per the customer service agreement for City waste collection services.
3. No owner shall fail to submit a collection request to the City for the collection of bulky items at least two (2) business days prior to the day of collection, unless otherwise specified by the City or the customer service agreement. (By-law 2026-247)
4. No owner of an eligible serviced location receiving containerized waste collection services shall fail to make private arrangements for the collection of any construction and demolition waste, including but not limited to floor textile materials such as carpet and under pad, to be paid for at the owner’s expense
5. No owner shall fail to ensure that the bulky items are set out for collection in a neat and tidy manner. (By-law 2026-247).

Section 28 - Designated City Facilities Containerized recyclable material preparation and set-out requirements

1. No owner shall fail to ensure that all recyclable material is placed entirely within approved containers as outlined Schedule “D”.
2. No owner shall set out any GMP recycling material, as outlined in Schedule “G”, for collection unless the following conditions are met:
   1. All GMP recycling materials are set-out loose and free of plastic bags or any other wrapping and place in the appropriate approved container as outlined in Schedule “D”;
   2. Any containers set out for recycling collection are empty, rinsed and free from residue; and
   3. Paint and aerosol cans are empty, residual paint is dry and the lid is removed as appropriate.
3. No owner shall set out any Fibre recycling material, as outlined in Schedule “G”, for collection unless the following conditions are met:
   1. Boxes are broken down and corrugated cardboard shall be flattened, with plastic wrapping and polystyrene packaging materials removed and separated from the corrugated cardboard. (By-law 2026-22)

Section 29 - Containerized organic material preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2025-467)

1. No owner shall set out organic material described in Schedule “H” for collection, unless the items are placed in an approved green bin as outlined Schedule “D”.

2. No owner shall set out pet waste in a City approved green bin, as outlined in Schedule “D”, for organics collection, unless.

   a. Pet waste set out for organics collection in an approved green bin and does not exceed 25% of the volumetric capacity of an approved green bin;

   i. Pet waste exceeding 25% of the volumetric capacity of an approved green bin shall be flushed down the toilet in accordance with the City of Ottawa’s Sewer Use By-law; and

   b. Pet waste set out for organics collection shall be placed in a sealed, leak-proof bag as approved by the General Manager and as described in Schedule “H”.

3. No owner shall set out ashes for collection, unless the ashes are cold and placed in a sealed paper or plastic bag prior to placement in a City approved green bin as outlined in Schedule “H”.

4. No owner shall set out sawdust for collection, unless the sawdust is placed in a sealed paper or plastic prior to placement in a City green bin as outlined in Schedule “H”.

5. No owner shall fail to ensure that natural Christmas Trees are free of decorations and any materials other than the tree itself when set out for collection as described in Schedule “B”. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 29A - A designated city facilities - Roll off containers preparation and set-out requirements (By-law 2026-247)

(1) No owner shall fail to ensure that all waste materials deposited into roll-off containers are levelled off to the top of the container to allow for safe collection by the City and / or its contractor. 

(2) No owner shall fail to ensure that the collection request for the removal of roll-off containers is made prior to the container reaching its maximum loading level, with the expectation that removal could take up to two (2) business days. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 30 - Scavenging and illegal dumping

1. No person, other than a municipal law enforcement officer or a person authorized by the City to perform waste collection services, shall scavenge any waste materials that have been placed out for collection.
   1. Section 30(1) does not apply to the removal of loose, uncontained items such as bulky items, furniture and similar items.
2. No person shall interfere with or scatter any waste materials that have been placed out for collection.
3. No person shall collect waste materials, unless authorized by the City
4. No person shall break, damage or remove any approved container or the cover thereof.
5. No person shall set out waste materials on private property
   1. that is not owned or occupied by that person or
   2. the waste material has not been generated on said property.
6. No person shall impede in municipal waste collection services, unless authorized by the City.

Section 31 - Waste collection in public spaces

1. The City and/or its contractor shall be responsible for the collection of collectable waste materials from all public space waste containers.
2. The frequency of waste collection from public space waste containers shall be established based on the usage of and waste volume generated in the public space as outlined by the Council approved Maintenance Quality Standards established by the Public Works Department.

Section 32 - Waste disposal in public spaces

1. No person shall place household waste or any waste materials generated on private property in any public space or public space waste container.
2. No person shall fail to ensure that all collectable waste materials generated on public property are separated by waste stream and disposed of in the appropriate public space waste container, based on posted signage, and waste diversion and pilot programs made available for use in public spaces.
3. No person shall place pet waste in a public space pet waste container or available organics container, unless placed in a sealed, leak-proof bag.
4. No person shall place non-collectable or hazardous waste in a public space or public space waste container.
5. No person shall place waste materials adjacent to a public space waste container located in a public space.

Section 33 - Facility use and public access

1. The Trail Waste Facility Landfill shall be open to the public at times determined by the Council, which times may be adjusted temporarily by the General Manager, in accordance with its Environmental Compliance Approval as amended from time to time. (By-law 2026-247)
2. Clean fill suitable for covering garbage shall be accepted, if operationally required, in accordance with the fees set out in Schedule “A”, by the General Manager.
3. Farm waste and agricultural waste shall be accepted at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill from agricultural properties free of charge in accordance with the Trail Waste Facility Landfill - Ontario Environmental Assessment Act Approval as amended from time to time. (By-law 2026-247)
4. Any person entering the Trail Waste Facility Landfill does so at their own risk and the owner of any vehicle delivering waste to the facility shall save harmless the City from any damages or claims whatsoever to themselves or their property or to any other person or property whatsoever arising from such person’s negligence or otherwise, as deemed by the City. (By-law 2026-247)
5. No person entering the Trail Waste Facility Landfill shall fail to abide by all facility policies and procedures, including but not limited to the sorting of waste materials and streams, posted speed limits, and general and posted health & safety precautions. (By-law 2026-247)
6. No person shall deposit waste materials at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill except waste materials approved for deposit in accordance with the Environmental Compliance Approval and this By-law, as applicable. (By-law 2026-247)
7. No person shall deposit waste materials at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill without paying the fees associated with the deposited waste materials, as outlined in Schedule “A”, amended annually. (By-law 2026-247)
8. All waste materials deposited at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill become the property of the City and may be reclaimed, recycled, composted, processed, disposed of, or otherwise dealt with by the City as the General Manager deems appropriate. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 34 - Trail Waste Facility Landfill prohibitions and offences (By-law 2026-247)

1. No person unloading, depositing or disposing of waste materials at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill shall fail to unload, deposit, or dispose of the waste materials so as to confine the waste materials to the smallest possible area. (By-law 2026-247)
2. No person shall deposit or abandon any derelict or inoperative motor vehicle in any area of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. (By-law 2026-247)
3. No person shall unload or dispose of waste materials in any part of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill, other than in the designated area, as approved by the General Manager. (By-law 2026-247)
4. No person shall neglect or refuse to provide proof of the origin of waste materials tendered for disposal when such is demanded, provided that in lieu of providing such proof the person tendering the waste materials may remove it without unloading it.
5. No person shall, unless authorized by the General Manager, pick over, scavenge, salvage, incinerate, remove, burn or scatter any waste materials in any area of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. (By-law 2026-247)
6. No person shall enter the Trail Waste Facility Landfill during those hours when the facility is closed. (By-law 2026-247)
7. No person shall unload or dispose of waste materials at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill during the hours when the facility is closed. (By-law 2026-247)
8. No person shall enter the Trail Waste Facility Landfill for the purpose of unloading or disposing of any waste materials without first having the vehicle weighed on the weigh scales, as directed by the scale attendant, and paying the required fee as in Schedule “A”. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 35 - Trail Waste Facility Landfill fees

1. The City may, from time to time, prescribe fees and charges for the use of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill and waste diversion programs provided at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill and provide for terms of payment thereof and the City prescribes the fees and charges set forth in Schedule “A”. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 36 - Prohibited waste at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill (By-law 2026-247)

1. No person shall deposit or dispose of any non-collectable waste materials, as outlined in Schedule “E”, at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill, unless otherwise approved by the General Manager in accordance with this by-law. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 37 - Special waste materials at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill (By-law 2026-247)

1. Special waste materials are accepted at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill by appointment only and must be pre-approved by the General Manager, in compliance with R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 347, prior to arriving at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. (By-law 2026-247)
2. No person shall fail to contact the landfill operator of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill at least one (1) business day prior to delivery of any special waste materials requiring special handling to ensure that the special waste materials will be properly handled and packaged, and to allow for preparation of the disposal location, as approved by the General Manager. (By-law 2026-247)
3. The unloading of special waste materials requiring special handling shall be the responsibility of the person delivering such special waste materials or the contractor and shall not be done by landfill facility operators.
4. The special waste materials shall be placed directly in the designated area, which has been prepared by the landfill operator, as approved by the General Manager.
5. The General Manager reserves the right to limit or refuse the acceptance of special waste materials requiring special handling at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. (By-law 2026-247)
6. No person shall transport, unload or dispose of special waste materials requiring special handling, unless such transporting, unloading or disposal is in accordance with R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 347, or other applicable regulation(s), including any required training and certification to handle such waste.

Section 38 - Disposal of unacceptable material at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill (By-law 2026-247)

1. No person shall fail to remove and clean up non-collectable waste materials that such person disposed of or deposited at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill and shall incur the costs associated with such removal and clean up. (By-law 2026-247)
2. If a person fails to comply with Section 38(1), the General Manager shall remove and clean up the non-collectable waste materials that were disposed of or deposited at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill, and such person shall be responsible for the repayment of fees incurred by the General Manager, failure to pay such fees will constitute a debt of that person to the City. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 39 - Refusal rights at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill (By-law 2026-247)

1. The City reserves the right to refuse to accept for disposal any waste materials of a questionable nature or origin including waste materials which have been approved by the Ministry of the Environment, through written notification. (By-law 2026-247)

Section 40 - General

1. The administration and enforcement of this by-law shall be pursuant to the provisions of this by-law.

Section 41 - Right of entry

1. The City may enter upon private property at any reasonable time and in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 for the purpose of carrying out an inspection to ascertain whether the provisions of this by-law are complied with and to enforce and carry into effect the provisions of this by-law. (2015-344)

Section 42 - Notice of violation

1. A municipal law enforcement officer who finds that any person is in noncompliance with this by-law may, where the officer considers it appropriate in the circumstances to seek compliance, issue a Notice of Violation which provides the following information:
   1. the name of the owner of the property;
   2. the municipal address or the legal description of the property;
   3. the reasonable particulars of the corrections to be made; and the time for complying with the terms and conditions of the notice.
2. The Notice of Violation shall be served on the owner and any other persons affected by it, as determined by a municipal law enforcement officer. 
3. Service of a Notice of Violation shall be made by way of:
   1. personal delivery by hand to the owner; 
   2. posting such notice at the non-conforming property;
   3. registered mail; or
   4. Email, to an email address that the person to whom the Notice of Violation is directed has provided for the purpose of receiving electronic documents or at which the person is known to receive email communications.
4. Where a Notice of Violation under this section is served by personal delivery by hand to the owner, it shall be deemed to have been served on the date of delivery to the person named.
5. Where a Notice of Violation under this section is served by posting such notice at the non-confirming property, it shall be deemed to have been served on the person to whom the notice is directed on the date it is posted.
6. Where a Notice of Violation under this section is served by registered mail, it shall be deemed to have been served on next business day following the date of mailing.
7. Where a Notice of Violation under this section is served via email, it shall be deemed to have been served on the person to whom the notice is directed on the day the person provides a written response to the email. 
8. No Person shall fail to comply with a Notice of Violation served pursuant to Section 42.

Section 43 - City action

1. Where an owner sets out waste materials for collection which are not in compliance with this by-law, or fails to remove non-compliant or uncollected waste from public property or the collection point in accordance with this by-law, the City may, after having notified the owner in writing, collect such waste materials at the owner’s expense, suspend waste collection, or take other enforcement action, as deemed by the City.

Section 44 - Recovery of city costs

1. All costs incurred by the City, including expenses for the removal of waste materials, shall be paid by the owner by the due date set on the written invoice setting out the costs incurred by the City, otherwise the debt will be deemed to be in arrears, and the city can collect all payment in arrears by adding the costs to the tax roll and collecting them in the same manner as property taxes.

Section 45 - Offences and penalties

1. A person who contravenes any provision of this by-law is guilty of an offence and upon conviction thereof is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000.00 for a first offence and $25,000.00 for any subsequent offence, except that where a corporation is convicted of an offence the maximum penalties shall be $50,000.00 for the first offence and $100,000 for any subsequent offence.

Section 46 - Prohibition order

1. When a person has been convicted of an offence under this by-law, the Ontario Court of Justice of the City of Ottawa, or any court of competent jurisdiction thereafter, may, in addition to any penalty imposed on the person convicted, issue an Order prohibiting the continuation or repetition of the offence or the doing of any act or thing by the person convicted directed toward the continuation or repetition of the offence.

Section 47 - Transition

1. An order made pursuant to By-law No. 2012-370, the Solid Waste Management By-law is continued under and in conformity with the provisions of this by-law so far as consistently may be possible.
2. All proceedings taken pursuant to By-law No. 2012-370, the Solid Waste Management By-law shall be taken up and continued under and in conformity with the provisions of this bylaw so far as consistently may be possible.
3. In the recovery or enforcement of penalties and forfeitures incurred, or in any other proceeding in relation to matters that have happened before the repeal of By-law No. 2012-370, the Solid Waste Management By-law, the procedure established by this by-law shall be followed so far as it can be adopted.

Section 48 - Repeal

1. By-law 2012-370, and any amendments there to, are repealed as of the in-force date of this by-law.

Section 49 - Short title

1. This by-law may be referred to as the Solid Waste Services By-law.

Section 50 - Effective date

1. This by-law shall come into force and take effect on December 2, 2024.

(as Amended by By-law 2025-2, By-law 2026-22, By-law 2026-247)

Waste Collection Fees

1. The annual fees for residential garbage collection, levied on the municipal tax bill, are payable at the time of payment of municipal taxes as follows:
   1. $267.00 per residential dwelling unit of each separate municipal tax assessed property receiving residential curbside collection service; and
   2. $184.00 per residential dwelling unit of each separate municipal tax assessed property receiving multi-residential containerized collection service.

In the case of payments received by mail, the date the payment is received by the City shall be taken as the day of payment.

The fee per yellow garbage bag (residential and small business), payable at the time of purchase from a City retailer, for waste to be collected through the Yellow Bag program is $4.40 per bag, sold in quantities of 4 ($17.60 per pouch of 4). Yellow bags are not sold individually.

The fee per additional or replacement recycling cart for use at approved small businesses registered for the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses, payable to the City is $125 per cart. The fee includes the replacement cart, delivery to the registered small business and applicable taxes. (By-law 2026-247).

Fees at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill (By-law 2026-247)

The fee for unloading or disposing of any waste material at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill is subject to the following charges:

The fees related to the Solid Waste Diversion Program at the Trail Waste Facility are as follows:

Table 3 Fees for Solid Waste Diversion Program

The service levels outlined below apply to all eligible properties receiving municipal curbside collection services as approved by City Council:

Table 1: Collection Service Levels for Eligible Serviced Locations on Curbside Collection Service

Table 2: Collection Service Levels for the Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses on Curbside Collection Service

The service levels outlined below apply to all eligible properties receiving municipal containerized collection services as approved by City Council:

Table 1: Collection Service Levels for Eligible Serviced Locations on Containerized Service

Set Out Limits For Multi-Residential Properties on Containerized Collection

For multi-residential properties receiving containerized waste collection service as outlined above, the overall set-out limit for each property is based on a container allocation as established in the Solid Waste guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development, as approved by the City. Individual set-out limits per residential unit do not apply.

Cart allocations per eligible serviced location shall be determined by multiplying the total number of units by the relevant, allocated cubic yards in accordance with Table 1, below:

Table 2: Set-Out Limits for Multi-Residential Properties on Containerized Collection (By-law 2026-247)

Table 1: Approved Containers for Curbside Collection Service

Table 2: Approved Containers for Eligible Properties on Containerized Collection Service (By-law 2026-247)

Non-Collectable Waste Includes:

1. Any waste materials not set out in accordance with the provisions of this by-law;
2. Appliances
3. Automobile parts;
4. Construction and demolition waste as defined in this by-law including but not limited to: concrete, cinder blocks, paving stones, asphalt;
5. Contents of cesspools and outdoor latrines;
6. Contents of grease traps;
7. Electrical and Electronic Equipment as defined in Schedule 1 of O. Reg 522/20 including but not limited to: light bulbs, tubes and lamps, including incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, light emitting diode (LED) and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps (excluding string and/or patio lights)
8. Hay, straw, farm animal manure or excrement;
9. Hazardous waste as defined in O. Reg 347 including but not limited to:
   1. Acids and caustic materials such as pool chemicals, fire extinguishers 
   2. Aerosol containers (full or partially full)
   3. Batteries
   4. Engine oil, brake, transmission fluid;
   5. Explosives or highly combustible materials such as gasoline, motor oil, barbeque or lighter fluid, ammunition, weapons, or other flammable material;
   6. Household cleaners including bleach, oven, drain, toilet and carpet cleaning solutions;
   7. Leachate or toxic waste such as septic tank pumpings, raw sewage and sludge;
   8. Paints, solvents, coatings and wood preservatives;
   9. Poisons, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides or pesticides;
   10. Pressurized containers including propane cylinders and tanks;
   11. Radioactive material;
10. Household hazardous waste materials as defined in the terms in this by-law
11. IC& I waste not approved for collection through the City’s Yellow Bag Program for Small Businesses.
12. Imported waste material as defined in this By-law
13. Material which may be classed as a “designated substance” pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
14. Railway ties;
15. Soil, earth, stone, boulders, trees, tree stumps, tree trunks, firewood and tree cuttings over 7 cm in diameter;
16. Trade waste including any stock and or by-products of wholesale or retail or of any industrial or commercial process;
17. Special waste material as defined in this By-law
18. Swill, liquid waste or organic matter, which has not been drained;
19. Pathological waste as defined in O. Reg 347 including but not limited to:
    1. Needles, sharps, syringes, glass stem pipes, lancets, insulin tips;
    2. Carcasses of any animal (including animal parts), fowl or live animal with the exception of bona fide household organic material;
    3. Medications, pharmaceuticals and drugs;
    4. Hazardous medical waste
20. Tires (excluding bicycle tires);
21. Toilets, not dismantled;
22. Wooden pallets; and
23. Any other item designated as non-collectable material as approved by the General Manager and amended from time to time.

Acceptable Bulky Items Include:

1. Carpet;
2. Furniture;
3. Garden, yard and outdoor equipment such as pools or parts thereof, fence, wire, tarps, swing sets, and pool or hot tub covers;
4. Large toys;
5. Mattresses; and
6. Any other large, discarded material as approved by the General Manager at their sole discretion.

Fibre Recycling Material:

1. Newspapers and flyers;
2. Corrugated cardboard;
3. Boxboard;
4. Magazines/catalogues;
5. Fine paper;
6. Advertising mail;
7. Egg cartons (paper);
8. Paper cores;
9. Kraft/paper bags;
10. Paper gift-wrap and greeting cards;
11. Other clean paper packaging; and
12. Any other recyclable material as per O. Reg. 391/21, as amended.

GMP Recycling Material:

1. Clear and colored glass jars and bottles;
2. Steel/aluminum food and beverage cans;
3. Aluminum foil;
4. Gable top cartons;
5. Aseptic drinking boxes;
6. Hot and cold beverage containers;
7. Spiral-wound containers with metal ends;
8. All rigid plastic food and beverage containers with recycling symbols numbered 1 through 7;
9. Metal lids;
10. Deodorant, toothpaste tubes, hand cream tubes
11. Flexible film plastic packaging
12. Foam packaging;
13. Empty non-hazardous aerosol containers; and
14. Any other packaging and recyclable material as per O. Reg. 391/21 as amended 

Acceptable Organic Material Includes:

1. Baked goods and baking ingredients including cake, cookies, sugar, spices, eggs and eggshells;
2. Dairy products including cheese, and yogurt;
3. Fats including lard, butter, and solidified oils
4. Fruits and vegetables including peels, rinds, seeds and husks
5. Grain products including pasta, bread, cereal and rice;
6. Hair, pet hair, and feathers;
7. House plants and cut flowers;
8. Meat and fish products including bones, fat, skin and shells;
9. Nuts, seeds and shells;
10. Other food products including candy, coffee grounds, coffee filters and tea bags;
11. Pet waste including, household pet feces (in a sealed leak-proof bag), pet bedding and kitty litter;
12. Pumpkins;
13. Sauces, spices, dressings and spreads;
14. Small amounts of cooking oil (soaked in bread or paper towel;)
15. Small amounts of shredded paper, and sawdust (natural wood sources only);
16. Soiled and/or food soiled paper products including tissues, paper towels, cardboard egg cartons, paper coffee cups, paper plates and cups, paper take-out food containers, microwave popcorn bags, flour and sugar bags, pizza boxes, newspaper, parchment paper;
17. Wooden food products including popsicle sticks, toothpicks; and
18. Any other item designated as organic material as approved by the General Manager and amended from time to time.

Acceptable Leaf and Yard Waste Material Includes:

1. Branches (no larger than 7 cm in diameter, and no longer than 1.2 m in length);
2. Garden plants, and flowers (soil removed);
3. Grass and grass clippings; 
4. Hedge, shrub and tree trimmings;
5. Leaves, brush and vines;
6. Natural Christmas trees; 
7. Non-noxious weeds;
8. Wind fallen fruit; and
9. Any other item designated as Leaf and Yard Waste Material as approved by the General Manager and amended from time to time.

Acceptable Special Consideration Items Include:

1. Casts;
2. Catheters;
3. Colostomy bags (empty and rinsed);
4. Dialysis wastes (tubing, filters, disposable towels, and sheets);
5. Diapers;
6. Disposable pads;
7. Gloves, masks, gowns, and aprons;
8. Gastric and nasal tubes (empty and rinsed);
9. Incontinence products;
10. IV bags and tubing (empty and rinsed);
11. Used dressings (not blood saturated); and
12. Any other item designated as Special Consideration Items as approved by the General Manager and amended from time to time.

Items excluded from the Special Consideration Items Program include: 

1. Hazardous waste such as blood-saturated items;
2. Needles/Sharps; and
3. Sharps containers.