Every city will have different rules. You can apply for permits, variances and approvals but it could take a long time. Watch the video below to learn more, and here are some of the strategies we’ve learned over the years:
- The best strategy is to avoid needing to ask permission. Unless you are “the man” (the city government, for example) that is officially sponsoring the library, pick a spot on private property.
- The larger the municipality, the more difficult approval may be.
- Be considerate of other people’s rights. Don’t put the library where it might block daily activities such as walking, biking, shoveling snow, etc.
- Assure whoever is worried that you have a good steward and lots of people who will look out for it over the long term. The authorities don’t want to have added responsibilities.
- If you have to seek approval from local authorities, it may help to show them an example of amended zoning ordinances from another city that allow Little Free Library book-sharing boxes.