Street Name and Address Changes

Importance of Clear Street Names and Civic Numbers

How we name our streets and number our buildings and properties within Ottawa is very important. We need to ensure that every building, park or facility has a unique address to make it easy to identify and locate.

The Process for Resolving Confusing Street Names

In 2001, 11 former cities and townships were amalgamated into the new City of Ottawa. Combining these municipalities resulted in many duplicate and similar sounding street names as many of our communities share local history and geography. Also over time, development has resulted in the creation of physical barriers dividing streets into two or more disjointed segments.

Following amalgamation, the primary focus for resolving street name problems was the elimination of identical street names and street type designation (i.e. Main Street former Goulbourn and Main Street former Ottawa). However, Ottawa still has a number of street names that can cause confusion and require resolution.

In consultation with emergency services, it has been determined that the following categories of street names are the most problematic:

1. Streets with duplicate or similar sounding names and different street type designations (ie: Hello Street/Hello Avenue):

• Combined with duplicate civic numbers ... these can cause confusion if the 9-1-1 caller cannot appropriately identify the street type, with duplicate civic numbers significantly increasing the confusion
• Those are not connected to one another but are in proximity to each other. If there is a greater distance between the anomalous streets, this is less of a concern as the caller can often determine the area of the City they are calling from (i.e. Kanata vs. Orléans), rather than two duplicate or similar sounding names being very close to each other (say, Hello Street in Centretown vs. Hello Avenue in the ByWard Market).

2. Streets with duplicate or similar sounding names and identical street type designations, (ie. Time Way and Tyme Way).
3. Streets that are physically disconnected (ie. by a park, building, highway, ravine, etc.).

Once it is determined that a pair or group of duplicate or similar street names are problematic, a decision will be made as to which street or streets, from the pair or group of streets, must be replaced with a new name to eliminate the confusion based on the following criteria:

• The number of affected addresses in order to minimize the impact on those who will be required to change their address
• The historical significance, or whether the street is a major road
• How long the street has existed, or if the street forms a boundary with an adjacent municipality
• If the street includes an identifiable landmark within the community or if the street name contributes to existing street name theme in the neighbourhood which aids in way finding.

Next Steps

Property owners who will be affected will be notified by mail. The implementation of the changes is being made in a phased approach, on a ward by ward basis.

We will be accepting replacement street name suggestions which will then be screened to ensure they are appropriate. Those submitting names to recognize a person will also be required to submit an application for Commemorative Naming approval. The replacement street names will be reviewed by the City and a final decision will be made by the Director of Building Code Services under delegated authority from Council and following consultation with the ward councillor.

Following this, property owners affected by a street name or civic number change will be notified and provided with information on how to proceed with changing their address and the exact implementation date. It is anticipated that the mailing address changes and replacement of street signs will will continue through the second quarter of 2019.  

Contact information
Matt Bryson
Program and Project Management Officer
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development
Business Support Services Branch
613-580-2424, ext. 25009
Fax: 613-580-6028
E-mail: streetnamechanges/changementsdenomderue@ottawa.ca

Why are names of streets changing?
The reason to change the name of a street is to resolve a public safety concern. Ottawa Police, Paramedic, and Fire Services have reiterated strongly that the elimination of duplicate, similar sounding and physically disconnected streets would remove a significant impediment to timely emergency response. Emergency service representatives have stressed that street names need to be clear and unique to avoid confusion for service providers, the business sector, and the general public when attempting to locate a property.

How and when will I find out if my street name will change?
Letters to property owners will provide an explanation as to why their street name will change and indicate how they can submit suggestions for replacement names.  Once a name has been selected to replace the street name, property owners will be advised of the new name and the timing for the change to take place.

Are all street names that sound similar going to change?

While there are many street names in Ottawa that may be similar sounding, they are not considered high risk because there is no duplicate civic numbering, or they are located in different parts of the City making it easier to identify the street.

The section of my street is not connected to another section with the exact same name, will it change?
There are a number of factors that result in streets being disconnected due to a physical barrier. Generally those streets that are divided but simply blocked by traffic barriers are not high risk to our emergency responders, however if there is a significant gap or separation between the two sections of road such as a park or river, this results in a higher risk to public safety.

Once a street name has been confirmed as being high risk, how is it determined which streets or street segments needs to change their name?
The most important principal is to minimize impact on residents and businesses, meaning that typically the street with the least amount of properties undergoes renaming. Historical factors, significant landmarks and wayfinding best practices are also considered.

Have there been instances of emergency responders going to the wrong location?
Members of the public have expressed their personal stories of when emergency response vehicles were dispatched to the wrong location or have been delayed due to confusion with the location of the caller. Callers to 9-1-1 are under considerable stress either because the emergency pertains to them or they are responding to an emergency on behalf of someone else. In both cases it often occurs that the caller is unable to accurately state the civic number, street name and/or street type designation (e.g. avenue, crescent, etc.). Emergency services have advised that any potential for confusion can result in a delay in emergency response.

In an effort to avoid any risk of emergency response vehicles being dispatched to the wrong location, when a 9-1-1 agent is unable to confirm on which of the duplicate or similar sounding streets the caller is situated, then an emergency response vehicle is dispatched for each location. Dispatching multiple vehicles is costly and diverts resources away from other emergencies. Specific numbers capturing these incidents are not tracked by 9-1-1.

I thought today's technology allowed the City to locate callers quickly?
It is correct that 9-1-1 is able to locate the caller using a land line, regardless of whether or not the caller is able to complete the call. However, this is not the case for cell phones, which are of concern given the higher proportions (now 70 per cent) of calls now coming in from cell phones. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is not yet sufficiently developed in Canada to ensure the accurate and timely location of people in need of assistance who are calling from their cell phone.

Are there any other concerns as a result of problems with municipal addressing?
Members of the public have also expressed frustration resulting from missed deliveries or billing being sent to the wrong location as a result of duplicate street names.

Won't it be time consuming and costly to change my address?
Most changes of address can be done online at no charge. A checklist is provided to assist residents in changing their addresses where required. There is no need to update any deeds of properties as a by-law will be passed when the street name is to change and that by-law will be registered with the Land Titles Office. Where a civic number change is involved, the property owner will be responsible for changing the numbers on the building or the 9-1-1 blade (in the rural area).

How can I get involved in the street name changes?
While residents and businesses affected by a name change will be encouraged to suggest replacement names for their street, all citizens in Ottawa can make suggestions. Simply go to the link and complete the form with the suggested name and reason for the name and providing your contact information so we can confirm whether the name can be considered.

What should I consider when making street name suggestions?
New street names must comply with the guidelines contained in the Addressing By-law. Please refer to the Criteria for Street Naming to assist you in understanding the criteria and best practices when determining if a street name is acceptable for use. Generally, replacement street names should reflect local heritage, history or environment. All replacement name suggestions are screened to ensure they meet the naming criteria, to verify whether the name already exists be sure to check the City's web mapping application GeoOttawa Remember to also consider if your suggestion sounds similar to an existing name. The best street names, from an emergency response perspective, are those that sound the most distinctive from existing names.

What if I want to suggest naming a street after an individual?
The name of a celebrated individual in the community (past or present) can be commemorated. A commemorative name honours individuals who have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service locally, provincially, and/or nationally.

Once you have been advised that the name of the person meets the Criteria for Street Naming and can be considered, the individual proposing the name will be required to submit a Commemorative Naming Application for review and the accompanying Affidavit. Please e-mail namingottawa@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2401 for more information or for a copy of the application

If my street is being renamed; will my civic number change as well?
No, generally your civic number is not affected when the street is renamed. However, where the confusion can be fixed by changing a few civic numbers (those numbers that are duplicates on the other street) rather than changing the street name, civic addresses will be affected and you will be notified accordingly.

Will my postal code change?
No, your postal code will not change.

Who notifies Canada Post of the address change?
The City is co-ordinating the address changes with Canada Post to ensure there are no disruptions to mail delivery following the street name change. After the new street name has come into effect, Canada Post will continue to deliver mail addressed with the old street name for a period of one year.

Who do I need to notify that my address has changed?
It is recommended that affected residents, property owners and businesses review the Change of Address Checklist for information on important service providers and government agencies that should be notified of an address change. The Change of Address Checklist is available online or by calling 613-580-2424 ext. 25009 or sending an e-mail to streetnamechanges/changementsdenomderue@ottawa.ca.

Will the City subsidize me for any expenses that may result from my street being renamed or civic number being changed?
The City does not subsidize residents, property owners or businesses for costs incurred as a result of a street name or civic number change. Most banks, business services and government agencies will update your address in their records at no charge. Often addresses can be updated conveniently by residents online. Civic numbers on buildings, signs or on 9-1-1 blades will be the responsibility of the property owner to change.

How can I find out more information?
Call 613-580-2424 ext. 25009 or send an e-mail to streetnamechanges/changementsdenomderue@ottawa.ca

Welcome and thank you for your participation in the suggestion(s) of new street names

Before submitting the form below, be sure to research your suggestion(s):

• Did you know Ottawa has approximately 7000 street names? Have a look on geoOttawa to be sure your suggested street name is not already being used.
• Also, check out the City of Ottawa criteria for street naming to see if your suggestion meets the requirements.

Once we have received your submission(s), all names will be screened to ensure they comply with the street name criteria. A technical review of the suggested street names will be performed against our existing street name databases to ensure there are no issues with the names.

Be sure to submit your form early, as this will allow us to review your submission and let you know if it does not meet the criteria. Suggestions are being accepted for a period of two weeks from the date affected property owners are notified by mail for their particular street.

Commemorative Street Naming

The name of a celebrated individual in the community (past or present) can be commemorated. A commemorative name honours individuals who have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service locally, provincially, and/or nationally. Please indicate if you are submitting a suggestion with the intention of celebrating an individual and we will contact you after the name has been vetted for compliance with the criteria for street naming. You will then have one month from this time to submit a Commemorative Naming Application for review and the accompanying Affidavit. Please e-mail namingottawa@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2401 for more information or for a copy of the application. Alternatively, you may wish to suggest a name that has already been commemorated, to view the of list names available for replacement suggestions, go to Commemorative Naming Proposals and include the name on the form.

Street Name Suggestion form

Thank you for your participation

All submissions will be reviewed by the City and a final decision will be made by the Director of Building Code Services under delegated authority from Council and following consultation with the ward councillor.

Property owners will then be notified and provided with a checklist of information on how to proceed with changing their address and the exact implementation date. It is anticipated that the affected mailing address changes and replacement of street signs will occur about three months from the time the property owners are notified of their new address.

For more information please refer to our frequently asked questions or please contact Matt Bryson at streetnamechanges/changementsdenomderue@ottawa.ca.

Streets should be named:

• After people, places, events or things related to the local area and its residents – for example, local history, geography, flora, fauna, accomplishments, etc.;
• To reflect Ottawa's status as the nation's capital – for example, after people, events or things related to Canadian history, geography, flora, fauna, accomplishments, military heritage, etc.;
• To reflect Ottawa's position as a prominent world capital – for example, after Canada's participation or involvement in international peacekeeping efforts, international sporting and cultural events, UNESCO World Heritage sites, etc.; or
• To reflect the City's cultural and ethnic diversity – for example, its aboriginal roots, its evolving demographic mix, its multi-ethnic heritage, etc.

If a street is to be named after an individual (first, last or first and last names), the proposed name must first receive approval through the City's commemorative naming process. No initials or combined names of two individuals ("Robert Mary Jones" for Robert and Mary Jones or "Carol-John Smith for Carol and John Smith) are permitted.  The commemoration process for streets involves expedited review and approval. Public consultation is not required as it is for parks, buildings and facilities. The required forms can be obtained from namingottawa@ottawa.ca.

Proposed street names must also meet the following criteria to ensure public safety and effective wayfinding:

• The name should not duplicate, sound the same as, or be similar to an existing or reserved street name (for example, "Deighton" and "Dayton", "Ruisseau" and "Rousseau")
• A proposed name that is the French version of an existing English street name (or vice versa) is acceptable (for example, "Érable" is proposed and "Maple" exists), but similar sounding translated names are not acceptable (for example, "Forest" and "Forêt")
• The name should not duplicate the name of a park, facility, building or school
• The street name, the abbreviated street type designation in French and English (for example, "ch." and "Rd."), articles, other generic terms, periods, hyphens, apostrophes and spaces should not exceed 28 characters
• The name should not contain:
  • A word that is a current or historic street type designation, such as "court", "place", "lane", "drive", "green", "gate", etc.
  • A number as part of the name, so as to minimize confusion with civic numbers (for example, "Sevenoak")
  • Cardinal points ("north", "south", "east", "west"), unless it is to resolve numbering issues or to segment existing long streets that are separated (for example, "Laurier Avenue West", "Laurier Avenue East")
  • Three or more words (for example, "Old Valley Stream"), excluding names commemorating individuals. Commemorated names with three words may be permitted if the name proposed:
    • consists only of the individual's legal names (for example, "Jean-Paul Gagnon" or "Mary Jane Smith" is acceptable; "Big Daddy Gagnon" is not); and
    • meets all other public safety and wayfinding criteria.
  • The words in Table 1, which are over-used words in existing street names:

All proposed names must be vetted before receiving final approval for use as new or replacement street names. Contact addressingandsigns@ottawa.ca for additional information.

This checklist is intended to help residents, property owners and businesses update their address following a street name and/or civic number change. The checklist provides general information meant to assist with the process. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list.

Government agencies and important service providers should be notified following the date the civic number and/or street name change comes into effect. Canada Post will continue to deliver mail with the old address for a period of one year (a free service provided by Canada Post for municipally initiated address changes).

You are able to update your address conveniently online with a number of government agencies and service providers however if you encounter any difficulties when doing so, we recommend contacting them by phone.

The legal description of your property and your roll number will not be affected by an address change. If you have the deed to your property, it will remain valid after your address has been changed. Deeds are validated by the legal description of a property, not the street name or civic number.

Updating Your Ontario Identification Cards

You can update your address information quickly and easily for all your provincially issued identification cards in one secure and simple step using the Service Ontario website at www.ontario.ca/addresschange. There is no fee and your information will be updated immediately. Alternatively, you can call their call centre at 1-800-267-8097 or 416-326-1234 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Driver's Licence

You are required by law to update the address on your driver's licence within six days following the date the civic address or street name change comes into effect. Your new driver's licence will be mailed to you within four to six weeks.

Vehicle Registration

You are required by law to update the address on file for your vehicle registration within six days following the date the civic address or street name change comes into effect. You are able to change your address on the vehicle permit online or at a Service Ontario Centre. If you change your address online you will need to visit a Service Ontario Centre to pick up a copy of your updated permit.

Health Card

If you currently have a health card with your photo and address on it, you will receive a new health card. No address information will be shown on the new health card. If you have a red

and white health card or a photo health card that does not show your address on the back of the card, your information will be updated but you will not receive a new card.

Ontario Outdoors Card

Keep your current card as a new one will not be issued. Address information is not recorded on the card. You are required by law to update the address on file for your Outdoors Card within 10 days following the date the civic address or street name change comes into effect.

Updating Your Government of Canada Information

Passport

A change of address does not invalidate a passport. If you have filled in the address information on page 4, please cross out the old address and write the new one in the space above the old address. Do not use correction fluid. If the space is insufficient, write the new information on a separate piece of paper and insert it into the passport. For information, please visit Passport Canada's website at www.cic.gc.ca and enter "change of address" in the search option on the website.

Canada Revenue Agency

It is important to notify Revenue Canada with your new address for tax return purposes and in order to avoid any disruption to benefit payments you may be receiving. If you have registered with My Account, you can update your address online. If not, you have to update your address information by telephone or mail. For more information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca and enter "change of address" in the search option on the website.

Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Employment Insurance

If you receive a Canada Pension Plan, old age security benefits, or employment insurance, you should change your address with Service Canada to ensure you continue to receive your benefits on time. Please visit Service Canada's website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca for information on how to update your address information online, by telephone, by mail or in person. This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures.

Updating Other Services and Important Contacts

Canada Post

No action is required of you. The City will coordinate the address change with Canada Post.

City of Ottawa Utilities (Water/Sewer/Waste Management) and Property Taxes

No action is required of you. The changes will be looked after by the City of Ottawa.

epost

You can update account information online by visiting the epost website. Alternatively, you may call their Customer Service line at 1-877-376-1212.

Enbridge Natural Gas

You can update account information online by visiting the Enbridge website. Alternatively, you can call 1-877-362-7434 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Hydro Ottawa

You can update your address online. Alternatively, you may contact their Customer Care line 613-738-6400.

Hydro One

You can update your address online. Alternatively, you can call 1-888-664-9376 between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Bank(s) and Credit Card(s)

Your banking and credit card providers should be notified as soon as possible following the date the civic address or street name change comes into effect. In most cases, this can be done online.
Telephone, Mobile, Cable, Satellite and Internet Providers

Update your contact information through the provider's website, or by calling their customer service department. The following is a list of some service providers:

• Bell Canada: https://support.bell.ca, 1-866-310-BELL (2355)
• Rogers: www.rogers.com, 1-877-559-5202 (telephone updates recommended)
• Cogeco: www.cogeco.ca, 1-800-267-9000
• Telus Mobility: www.telus.com/content/help/billing, 1-888-811-2323

Schools, Colleges, Universities

It depends on the school and school board, but most elementary, middle, and secondary schools send home a student information sheet at the beginning of each school year to be filled out with updated information for the student. The change of address can be noted at this time. You may also want to notify the school administration directly so the information is updated immediately. Universities and colleges students can update their address information online.

Workplace

Remember to update your new address information with your employer, if applicable. Some organizations allow their employees to make this change online, while others require you to contact the Human Resources department.

Newspaper Delivery

Subscriber information can be found online for most major local and national newspapers.

Insurance Companies

Call the representatives of your insurance providers, (car, home, pet, etc.) to change the address on your policy. This may also be done online, depending on the insurance company.

Family Members, Friends and Other Correspondents

Canada Post will provide a limited quantity of postage-paid change of mailing address cards to customers who must change their address as a result of changes by the municipality. These courtesy change of mailing address cards are available at the main Canada Post outlets in the city but not at the satellite offices such as those in drug stores. The following is a list of the main Canada Post outlets in Ottawa where the cards can be found:

• 59 Sparks Street
• 108 Third Avenue
• 1424 Sandford Fleming Avenue
• 1745 Alta Vista Drive

Other Companies, Organizations, and Contacts

Remember to update your address with any other companies or organizations that you regularly receive mail from, such as:

• Magazine subscriptions
• Air Miles and other loyalty programs
• Charities
• Fitness clubs
• Sports teams.

Updating Civic Number Displays (Civic Number Change Only)

Civic Number Sign

Remember to update the civic number displayed on your building to reflect your new civic number.

(9-1-1) Blade Sign and/or Ground Sign

If your building is located more than 18 metres from the property line, you are required to have a (9-1-1) blade sign or, where permitted, a ground sign. The fee for a replacement (9-1-1) blade sign is $30.00; this fee is subject to change. The 9-1-1 blade sign application can be found online. You can return this form and fee (payable to City of Ottawa) to any client service centre or by mail to:

Municipal Addressing and Signs
101 Centrepointe Drive - 2nd Floor
Nepean, ON
K2G 5K7
Mail Code 04-11

If you are required to replace all of the numbers in your civic number, we encourage you to comply with the new civic number display requirements. These requirements as well as the (9-1-1) blade sign requirements can be found in Schedule A of Addressing By-law 2014-78.

The correction of confusing street names and civic numbers affects streets throughout the City, and changes are being made on a ward by ward basis. The tables below provide the outcome of the process. Property owners will continue to be notified by mail if their street is affected.