Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee

WHEREAS Council is considering a repeal and replacement of By-law 2002-189, with respect to the licensing and regulation of businesses (the Licensing By-law); and WHEREAS staff are proposing some technical amendments to the draft by-law in the report in order clarify certain provisions of the draft by-law before Council in response to feedback received from licensed businesses; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Document 1 of staff report be amended as follows: Section 14(1)(d) of Schedule 5 be amended to read: “proof of special events liability coverage or commercial general liability coverage in the name of the licensee or the event promoter subject to limits of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) inclusive per occurrence for bodily injury, death and damage to property that is valid for the date of the event”; and Section 6 of Schedule 9 be amended to read: “No licensee shall sell, give, trade or otherwise provide any exotic animal to any person unless: (a) for purposes of adoption or foster care under the auspices of the licensee, or (b) to an accredited zoo or professional breeder for breeding and display purposes.”

WHEREAS the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services is considering an update to the Licensing By-law which will formally codify the need of places of worship to obtain an Entertainment Establishment and Place of Assembly License for all non-religious activities; and WHEREAS the Licensing Bylaw does not exempt the hosting of a wedding reception from the requirement to obtain an Entertainment Establishment and Place of Assembly License; and WHEREAS Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, and Temples across Ottawa regularly hold weddings as a key element of their faith service; and WHEREAS wedding receptions, called the Seaudah in the Jewish faith, a Walima in the Muslim faith, Vivah ka Swagat Samaroh in the Hindi faith, and the Doli in the Sikh faith, are a key component of a faith-based marriage ceremony; and WHEREAS requiring places of worship to obtain an Entertainment Establishment and Place of Assembly License will incur additional costs for a core religious service that could otherwise be spent on the charitable functions of the place of worship. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the definition of “Places of Assembly” be amended to read “… but does not include a place of worship when used solely for religious purposes, including marriage ceremonies and wedding receptions/banquets, or a college, school or university when used for educational purposes only;”.

(on behalf of Councillor G. Gower) WHEREAS Council is considering a repeal and replacement of By-law 2002-189, with respect to the licensing and regulation of businesses (the Licensing By-law); and WHEREAS the current licensing by-law requires refreshment vendors to obtain a license to vend at special events but charges the same license fee for events one-day or less in duration as multiple-day events; and WHEREAS staff are proposing to create a one-day or less license option for refreshment vendors at special events at a lower cost than the current license options; and WHEREAS if adopted, the proposed license option would not come into force until January 1, 2027; and WHEREAS a large number of special events occur during the summer and fall; and WHEREAS Council wishes to support a diverse economy and vibrant, livable communities; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City reduce the license fee payable by refreshment vendors and itinerant sellers for a one-day special event at a cost of $100, from July 15, 2026 to December 31, 2026 in order to maximize the cost savings for refreshment vendor businesses during their most active season.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Licensing By-law be amended regarding Food Vendor hours of operations to add one hour for a closing time of 2 am as aligned with other restaurants and entertainment establishments.

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s By-law Review Work Plan identifies regulatory by-laws for review or development each Term of Council; and WHEREAS municipalities have the authority to regulate nuisances including outdoor illumination and indoor lighting that can be seen outdoors pursuant to Section 129 of the Municipal Act, 2001; and WHEREAS Property Standards By-law 2013-416 and the Permanent Signs on Private Property By-law 2016-326 set out certain regulations with respect to exterior lighting; and WHEREAS residents have indicated concerns with light pollution affecting their use and enjoyment of their properties and homes that are not adequately addressed by the existing regulations; and WHEREAS with the new zoning regulations, which seek to increase urban density, light pollution may become increasingly problematic for both humans and wildlife alike; and WHEREAS establishing clear standards for outdoor lighting will help mitigate these impacts, promote public health and safety, and protect local ecosystems while still allowing for appropriate illumination in urban spaces; and WHEREAS other Ontario municipalities including Mississauga and Richmond Hill have by-laws to regulate light pollution. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff include a light pollution by-law, or amendments to the Property Standards By-law concerning light pollution and nuisance, as an item for consideration as part of the development of next Term of Council’s By-law Review Work Plan to be approved by Counci