Little Free Libraries are typically welcomed by communities; if zoning problems arise, however, local governments often work with residents to find solutions.
In late 2012, the village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, denied permission to potential Little Free Library projects and required that an existing Little Free Library be removed because of a village ordinance that prohibited structures in front yards.
Village trustees also worried about inappropriate material being placed in the boxes.
However, in August 2013, the village approved a new ordinance that specifically allowed Little Free Library boxes to be put up on private property.

On June 17, 2015 Portland, Oregon Mayor Charlie Hales announced a major liberalization of public space when he declared it "Little Community Kiosk day".
On that day, he and the Portland City Council unanimously established a new "encroachment" code, providing automatic permits and insurance coverage for every person who installs a community kiosk on either side of a public sidewalk and within the public right of way.
The two sides are known as either a "furnishing strip" or "frontage strip".
The ordinance provides height, width, and setback guidelines that also address certain ADA requirements related to detection by walking sticks used by alter-abled people.
As of that date, every residential block is able to feature installations of a widest possible spectrum of interactive kiosks, including libraries.
This was partly approved as a means to fight youth gang violence.
Shortly afterward members of three gangs in North Portland participated in the design, construction, and installation of one hundred-fifty little libraries located in public spaces.
The number was established to honor the 150th anniversary of Portland's public library system.

In June 2014, city officials in Leawood, Kansas shut down a Little Free Library under a city ordinance prohibiting detached structures.
The family of the nine-year-old boy who built the structure created a Facebook page to support the amendment of Leawood's city code.
Another resident of the city who erected a Little Free Library was threatened with a $25 fine.
In July, the city council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium to permit Little Free Libraries on private property.

On January 29, 2015, the Metropolitan Planning Commission in Shreveport, Louisiana shut down a Little Free Library.
Zoning administrator Alan Clarke said that city ordinances permitted libraries only in commercial zones and that the one that was shut down had “bothered someone.”
The following month, the city council temporarily legalized book exchange boxes until the zoning ordinances could be amended to permanently allow them.

In North America, Little Free Libraries, and, implicitly, other public bookcases, have been criticized for being placed mostly in neighborhoods of wealthier, well-educated people, where there are already high-quality traditional public libraries nearby.
The commentator encourages groups to assist neighborhoods where such facilities are lacking.
Little Free Libraries are typically welcomed by communities; if zoning problems arise, however, local governments often work with residents to find solutions. In late 2012, the village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, denied permission to potential Little Free Library projects and required that an existing Little Free Library be removed because of a village ordinance that prohibited structures in front yards. Village trustees also worried about inappropriate material being placed in the boxes. However, in August 2013, the village approved a new ordinance that specifically allowed Little Free Library boxes to be put up on private property.
On June 17, 2015 Portland, Oregon Mayor Charlie Hales announced a major liberalization of public space when he declared it "Little Community Kiosk day". On that day, he and the Portland City Council unanimously established a new "encroachment" code, providing automatic permits and insurance coverage for every person who installs a community kiosk on either side of a public sidewalk and within the public right of way. The two sides are known as either a "furnishing strip" or "frontage strip". The ordinance provides height, width, and setback guidelines that also address certain ADA requirements related to detection by walking sticks used by alter-abled people. As of that date, every residential block is able to feature installations of a widest possible spectrum of interactive kiosks, including libraries. This was partly approved as a means to fight youth gang violence. Shortly afterward members of three gangs in North Portland participated in the design, construction, and installation of one hundred-fifty little libraries located in public spaces. The number was established to honor the 150th anniversary of Portland's public library system.
In June 2014, city officials in Leawood, Kansas shut down a Little Free Library under a city ordinance prohibiting detached structures. The family of the nine-year-old boy who built the structure created a Facebook page to support the amendment of Leawood's city code. Another resident of the city who erected a Little Free Library was threatened with a $25 fine. In July, the city council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium to permit Little Free Libraries on private property.
On January 29, 2015, the Metropolitan Planning Commission in Shreveport, Louisiana shut down a Little Free Library. Zoning administrator Alan Clarke said that city ordinances permitted libraries only in commercial zones and that the one that was shut down had “bothered someone.” The following month, the city council temporarily legalized book exchange boxes until the zoning ordinances could be amended to permanently allow them.
In North America, Little Free Libraries, and, implicitly, other public bookcases, have been criticized for being placed mostly in neighborhoods of wealthier, well-educated people, where there are already high-quality traditional public libraries nearby. The commentator encourages groups to assist neighborhoods where such facilities are lacking.
Little Free Library