Rural Residential Land Survey

The Rural Residential Land Survey (RRLS) has been a biennial report that monitors lot creation, residential development, and future housing potential in the rural area of the City of Ottawa, including the villages. The July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 report is the first report that considers the new policies outlined in the new City of Ottawa Official Plan that was adopted by Council in 2021.

Purpose of this report

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural lots created and their geographic distribution
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas
• Monitors rural residential development potential
• Estimates unit supply by development status on rural land

Rural Residential Land Survey, July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 Update [ PDF 6.450 MB ]

Detailed Parcel Listing for Villages [ PDF 212 KB ]

Highlights

Lot Creation

From Mid-2020 to Mid-2021, 760 rural housing lots were created, and from mid-2021 to mid-2022, 238 rural housing lots were created, for a total of 998 rural housing lots created for this reporting period. Villages represented 78 per cent of the lot creation in the Rural Area.

Rural Subdivision Activity by status, mid-2020 to mid-2022

In the 24 months from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022, there were 4,035 rural residential lots created by subdivision. The number of lots registered, for which a building permit can be issued, was 876 lots. Draft approval was granted for 1,193 lots, and pending applications provided for 1,941 lots.  Almost 80 per cent of these lots advanced status from mid-2012 to mid-2021.

Supply in villages, mid-2022

There was an overall estimated potential for 8,871 units on 1,158 net hectares in villages on June 30, 2022. These totals include some development planned on partial or full services, which allows for higher densities. Villages with the most potential are Richmond (4,103 units), Manotick (1,195) and Greely (1,092) (Figure 11). Together these three villages account for 72 per cent of total unit potential in villages.

Supply outside of villages, mid-2022

Of the 1,952 dwelling units outside the villages, 597 were registered lots, 675 draft approved lots and 680 lots in pending status. The Rural Northwest and Rural Southwest together contained 83% of the registered lots and 81 per cent of the draft approved lots. The Rural Northeast has the lowest potential with only 24 registered lots, 21 pending lots and no draft approved lots (Figure 12). The Rural Northwest has the greatest potential for each category Registered (322), Draft Approved (289) and Pending (243).

Rural growth directed towards villages

The overall rural potential of 10,823 units is comprised of 1,952 units in the rural area outside of the villages and 8,871 within the villages. The potential currently within the villages provides for roughly 82% of the future rural growth compared to 18 per cent outside the villages.

Supply between village groups

Overall, there is an estimated potential for approximately 10,823 units in rural Ottawa on June 30, 2022, not including future severances, infill, secondary dwelling units or coach houses. At average rates of development of 134 units per year outside of villages and 356 units per year within villages observed over the most recent 48-month period, this supply is sufficient for approximately 15 years outside and 25 years within villages.

July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020 update

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial report that monitors lot creation, residential development, and future housing potential in villages and the rural area of the city of Ottawa.

Purpose of this report

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural lots created and their geographic distribution
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas
• Monitors rural residential development potential
• Estimates unit supply on rural land

Rural Residential Land Survey July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020 Update [ PDF 5.182 MB ]

Rural Residential Land Survey Mid-2018 to Mid-2020 Country Lot Subdivision Map [ PDF 792 KB ]

Rural Residential Land Survey, Mid-2018 to Mid-2020 Update Detailed Parcel Listing for Country Lot Subdivision [ PDF 133 KB ]

Rural Residential Land Survey, Mid-2018 to Mid-2020 Update Detailed Parcel Listing for Villages [ PDF 281 KB ]

Highlights

Lot creation

From January 1 to December 31, 2019, 521 rural housing lots were created, dropping to 261 lots throughout the 2020 calendar year for an average of 380 annually. Driven by a rise in village lot creation, 2019 saw 420 lots created in villages in that year. There were 159 lots created in villages in 2020.

Rural subdivision activity by status, 2018-2020

During the 24 months from July 2018 to June 2020, there were 892 housing starts in rural Ottawa; up from the 723 starts in 2017-18. Of these 892 starts, 404 occurred from 2018-2019, and 488 were from 2019-2020.

Housing starts were distributed between villages (68 per cent of units, slightly more than in 2017-2018), country lot subdivisions (22 per cent) and ten per cent in other areas. The latter includes severances, scattered vacant lots, and farms.

Supply in villages, mid-2020

There was an overall estimated potential for 8,959 units on1,107 net hectares in villages in June 30, 2020. These totals include some development planned on partial or full services, which allows for higher densities. Villages with the most potential are Richmond (4,311 units), Manotick (1,475) and Greely (1,050) (Figure 11). Together these three villages account for 76 per cent of total unit potential in villages.

Supply outside of villages, mid-2020

By June 30, 2020, there were 2,102 potential units in approved country lot subdivisions and in pending applications.

Of the 2,102 dwelling units, 973 were registered lots, 666 draft approved lots and 463 lots in pending status. Osgoode and West Carleton-March wards contained 80% of the registered lots and 69% of the draft approved lots. Ninety-four per cent of pending lots were in Rideau-Goulbourn and West Carleton-March wards. Cumberland ward had the fewest unit potential outside of villages with 61 lots.

Rural growth directed towards villages

The overall rural potential of 11,061 units is comprised of 2,102 units in the rural area outside of the villages and 8,959 within the villages. The potential currently within the villages provides for roughly 81% of the future rural growth compared to 19% outside the villages. This is well above the requirement stated in the Official Plan for an accommodation of 50% growth to take place in the villages.

Supply between village groups

In the three largest and fastest growing villages of Manotick, Greely and Richmond, there is a 34-year supply based on unit potential. Within the mid-sized villages of Carp, North Gower, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Vars, Osgoode, Navan, Munster and Constance Bay there is a 34-year supply based on unit potential. (Both of these village groups surpassed the 10-year supply of land required to meet future land needs in the villages outlined in Policy 10a) and 10b) of Section 2.2.1 of the Official Plan). For the remainder of the villages not mentioned in Policy 10, there is a 35-year supply.

Overall, there is an estimated potential for approximately 11,061 units in rural Ottawa at June 30, 2020, not including future severances. At average rates of development of 84 units per year outside of villages and 266 units per year within villages observed over the most recent 48-month period, this supply is sufficient for approximately 25 years outside and 34 years within villages.

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial report that monitors lot creation, residential development, and future housing potential in villages and the rural area of the city of Ottawa.

Purpose of this report

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors rural residential development potential.
• Estimates unit supply on rural land.

Rural Residential Land Survey - Update 2017-18 [ PDF 7.077 MB ]

Rural Residential Land Survey 2017-2018 Update Detailed Parcel Listing for Villages [ PDF 591 KB ]

Highlights

Lot Creation

In 2017, 256 rural housing lots were created, dropping to 66 in 2018 for an average of 161 annually. The decrease in 2018 was due to a reduction in country lot and village subdivisions. In villages, 75 lots were created in 2017 and 42 lots in 2018.

Rural Housing Starts

Over the past two years, there were 723 housing starts in rural Ottawa up from the 500 starts in 2015-16.

Rural Residential Development Potential

In 2017-2018, rural residential approval activity produced a unit potential of 322 registered lots, 154 draft approved lots and 905 lots pending draft approval.

Rural Residential Development Potential Outside of Villages

At the end of 2018, in rural areas outside of villages, there were 959 registered lots, 654 draft approved lots and 584 lots in pending status.

Residential Development Potential in Villages

There was an overall estimated potential for 9,887 units on 1,186 net hectares in villages at the end of 2018. These totals include some development planned on partial or full services, which allows for higher densities.

At the end of 2018 vacant land with residential potential in villages and the General Rural Area could accommodate an estimated 12,084 units providing for 40 years of supply.

Rural Residential Unit Supply

The overall rural potential of 12,084 units is comprised of 2,197 units in the rural area outside of the villages and 9,887 within the villages. The potential currently within the villages provides for roughly 82% of the future rural growth compared to 18% outside the villages. This is well above the requirement stated in the Official Plan for an accommodation of 50% growth to take place in the villages.

Unit Supply Between Village Groups

In the three largest and fastest growing villages of Manotick, Greely and Richmond, there is a 59-year supply based on unit potential. Within the mid-sized villages of Carp, North Gower, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Vars, Osgoode, Navan, Munster and Constance Bay there is a 38-year supply based on unit potential. (Both of these village groups surpassed the 10-year supply of land required to meet future land needs in the villages outlined in Policy 10a) and 10b) of Section 2.2.1 of the Official Plan). For the remainder of the villages not mentioned in Policy 10, there is a 56-year supply.

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial report that monitors lot creation, residential development, and future housing potential in villages and the rural area of the City of Ottawa.

Rural Residential Land Survey - Update 2015-16 [ PDF 4.933 MB ]
Rural Residential Land Survey 2015-2016 Update Detailed Parcel Listing for Villages [ PDF 293 KB ]

Purpose of this report

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors rural residential development potential.
• Estimates unit supply on rural land.

Highlights

Lot Creation

In 2015, 116 rural housing lots were created, rising to 260 in 2016 for an average of 188 annually.  The increase in 2016 was due to a rise in country lot and village subdivisions.  In villages, 71 lots were created in 2015 and 187 lots in 2016.

Rural Housing Starts

Over the past two years, there were 500 housing starts in rural Ottawa down from the 533 starts in 2014-15.  

Rural Residential Development Potential

In 2015-2016, rural residential approval activity produced a unit potential of 376 registered lots, 265 draft approved lots and 494 lots pending draft approval.

Rural Residential Development Potential Outside of Villages

At the end of 2016, there were 2,358 potential units in approved country lot subdivisions and in pending applications.

Residential Development Potential in Villages

There was an overall estimated potential for 7,824 units on 1,245 net hectares in villages at the end of 2016. These totals include some development planned on partial or full services, which allows for higher densities.

At the end of 2016 vacant land with residential potential in villages and the General Rural Area could accommodate an estimated 10,182 units providing for 38 years of supply.

Rural Residential Unit Supply

The overall rural potential of 10,182 units is comprised of 2,358 units in the rural area outside of the villages and 7,824 within the villages. The potential currently within the villages provides for roughly 76.8% of the future rural growth compared to 23.2% outside the villages. This is well above the requirement stated in the Official Plan for an accommodation of 50% growth to take place in the villages.

Unit Supply Between Village Groups

In the three largest and fastest growing villages of Manotick, Greely and Richmond, there is a 54-year supply based on unit potential. Within the mid-sized villages of Carp, North Gower, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Vars, Osgoode, Navan, Munster and Constance Bay there is a 42-year supply based on unit potential. (Both of these village groups surpassed the 10-year supply of land required to meet future land needs in the villages outlined in Policy 10a) and 10b) of Section 2.2.1 of the Official Plan). For the remainder of the villages not mentioned in Policy 10, there is a 59-year supply.

Readers are advised to contact the City of Ottawa Research & Forecasting Section at 613-580-2424, ext. 27592 for further details on information contained in this report.

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial monitoring report on lot development and estimated potential residential development in Ottawa's rural area. The first part of the report reviews lot creation and housing construction in the past two years. The second part estimates the potential for future residential development in the rural area.

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural residential lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors the consumption of land and built densities by unit type and location
• Estimates land and unit supply on rural land with residential development potential

Highlights

405 rural housing lots were created in 2013, dropping to 308 in 2014 for an average of 357 annually. This is up from 293 lots per year average over 2011-12.

280 lots were created in villages in 2013 and 236 lots in 2014. This was well above the 160 lot annual average of the last decade.

Non-Farm Lots

• 98 per cent of lots created in 2013-14 were non-farm lots. This was slightly higher than the 97 per cent average of the last decade and higher than the 96 percent average since 1975.
• 67 per cent of non-farm lots created in the last two years were Rideau-Goulbourn and Osgoode wards (201 and 269 lots respectively).
• There were 135 lots registered in country lot subdivisions in 2013-14. Of these, the majority (85) were created in 2013. Thirty-one per cent of the lots created in 2013-14 were in West Carleton-March ward.

Rural Residential Construction 2011-12

• There were 533 housing starts in rural Ottawa over the past two years, 266 in 2013 and 267 in 2014. This was down from 799 starts in 2011-12.
• New construction was distributed between villages (59 per cent of units), country lot subdivisions (22 per cent), and 19 per cent in other areas. The latter includes severances, scattered vacant lots, and farms.
• About 710 hectares of rural land were developed for housing in 2013-14. Most of this land (654 ha) was developed outside of villages, accommodating 221 dwelling units.
• 312 units were built in the villages on a total of 56 ha of land.

Rural Development Potential

In total, vacant land in villages and the General Rural Area had an estimated housing potential of 10,842 units at the end of 2013-14. At rates of development of the last five years, this could provide for approximately 30 years of supply.

Readers are advised to contact the City of Ottawa Research & Forecasting Section at 613-580-2424, ext. 27592 for further details on information contained in this report.

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial monitoring report on lot development and estimated potential residential development in Ottawa’s rural area.  The first part of the report reviews lot creation and housing construction in the past two years.  The second part estimates the potential for future residential development in the rural area. 

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural residential lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors the consumption of land and built densities by unit type and location
• Estimates land and unit supply on rural land with residential development potential 

Highlights

286 rural housing lots were created in 2011, increasing slightly to 299 in 2012 for an average of 293 annually.  This is up from 259 lots per year average over 2009-10. 

168 lots were created in villages in 2011 and 179 lots in 2012.  This was above the 120 lot annual average of the last decade. 

Non-Farm Lots 

• 96 per cent of lots created in 2011-12 were non-farm lots.  This was slightly lower than the 97 per cent average of the last decade, but higher than the 92 percent average since 1975.
• 65 per cent of non-farm lots created in the last two years were in Osgoode and West Carleton-March wards (169 and 198 lots respectively).
• There were 101 lots created in country lot subdivisions in 2011-12.  Of these, the majority (57) were created in 2011.  Thirty-five per cent of the lots created in 2011-12 were in West Carleton-March ward. 

Rural Residential Construction 2011-12 

• There were 799 housing starts in rural Ottawa over the past two years, 482 in 2011 and 317 in 2012. This was down from 853 starts in 2009-10.
• New construction was distributed between villages (59 per cent of units), country lot subdivisions (23 per cent), and 19 per cent in other areas.  The latter includes severances, scattered vacant lots, and farms.
• About 1,253 hectares of rural land were developed for housing in 2011-12.  Most of this land (1,168 ha) was developed outside of villages, accommodating 330 dwelling units.
• 469 units were built in the villages on a total of 85 ha of land.

Rural Development Potential 

In total, vacant land in villages and the General Rural Area had an estimated housing potential of 23,736 units at the end of 2011-12.  At rates of development of the last five years, this could provide for approximately 54 years of supply. 

Readers are advised to contact the City of Ottawa Research & Forecasting Section at 613-580-2424, ext. 27592 for further details on information contained in this report.

The Rural Residential Land Survey is a biennial monitoring report on lot development and estimated potential residential development in Ottawa’s rural area. The first part of the report reviews lot creation and housing construction in the past two years. The second part estimates the potential for future residential development in the rural area.

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural residential lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors the consumption of land and built densities by unit type and location.
• Estimates land and unit supply on rural land with residential development potential.

Highlights

188 rural housing lots were created in 2009, rising to 330 in 2010 for an average of 259 annually. This is up slightly from 243 lots per year average over 2007-08.

103 lots were created in villages in 2009 and 152 lots in 2010. This was below the 155 lot annual average of the last decade.

Non-Farm Lots

• 94 per cent of lots created in 2009-10 were non-farm lots. This was lower than the 97 per cent average of the last decade, but higher than the 91 per cent average since 1975.
• 63 per cent of non-farm lots created in the last two years were in Osgoode and West Carleton-March wards (171 and 137 lots respectively).
• There were 144 lots created in country lot subdivisions in 2009-10. Of these, the majority (103) were created in 2010. Fifty-eight per cent of the lots created in 2009-10 were in West Carleton-March ward.

Rural Residential Construction 2009-10

• There were 853 housing starts in rural Ottawa over the past two years, 378 in 2009 and 475 in 2010. Both years were down from 559 starts in 2008.
• New construction was distributed between villages (46 per cent of units), country lot subdivisions (32 per cent), and 22 per cent in other areas. The latter includes severances, scattered vacant lots, and farms.
• About 2,003 hectares of rural land were developed for housing in 2009-10. Most of this land (1,932 ha) was developed outside of villages, accommodating 462 dwelling units.
• 391 units were built in the villages on a total of 71 ha of land.

Rural Development Potential

In total, vacant land in villages and the General Rural Area had an estimated housing potential of 25,590 units at the end of 2009-10. At rates of development of the last five years, this could provide for approximately 54 years of supply.

Readers are advised to contact the City of Ottawa Research & Forecasting Section at 613-580-2424, ext. 27592 for further details on information contained in this report.

The 2007-08 report is an update to the 2006 survey, which combined two previous reports, “Rural Lot Creation in the City of Ottawa” and the “Rural Residential Vacant Land Survey.” The first part of the report reviews lot creation in the past two years, focusing on lot types and their geographic distribution. It also reports new housing built in villages and other rural areas. The second part estimates the potential for future residential development in the rural area.

This report:

• Monitors the number and type of rural residential lots created and their geographic distribution.
• Monitors housing starts in villages and other rural areas.
• Monitors the consumption of land and built densities by unit type and location.
• Estimates land and unit supply on rural lands, including villages, which have potential for residential development.

Highlights

349 rural housing lots were created in 2007, falling to 126 in 2008. Totals for both years were down from 407 lots in 2006.

74 lots were created in villages in 2007 and 60 lots in 2008. Both years were well below the 34-year annual average of 191 lots in villages.

Non-Farm Lots

• 98 per cent of lots created in 2007-08 were non-farm lots. The average since 1975 has been 91per cent.
• 87 per cent of rural non-farm lots created during 2007-08 were in Osgoode and Rideau-Goulbourn wards (281 and 132 lots respectively).
• There were 280 lots created in country lot subdivisions in 2007-08. Of these only 31 were created in 2008, the lowest volume since 1998. Osgoode ward had the largest share, with 84 per cent of lots created in the last two years.

Rural residential construction 2007-08

There were 1,047 rural housing starts over the past two years; 488 were in 2007 and 559 in 2008. Both years were up from 475 starts in 2006.

• New construction was distributed 42 per cent in villages, 34 per cent in country lot subdivisions, and 24 per cent in other areas, which includes severances, scattered vacant lots, and farms.
• About 2,112 hectares of rural land was developed for housing in 2007-08. Most of this land (2,037 ha) was developed outside of villages, accommodating 576 dwelling units.
• 441 units were built in the villages on a total of 75 ha of land.

Rural development potential

In total, vacant land in villages and the General Rural Area had an estimated housing potential of 23,597 units at the end of 2007-08. At rates of development of the last five years, this provides for approximately 46 years of supply.

Readers are advised to contact the City of Ottawa Research & Forecasting Section at 613-580-2424, ext. 27592 for further details on information contained in this report.

The Rural Residential Land Survey monitors lot creation, patterns of residential development, and housing potential in the rural area of the City of Ottawa. This report monitors the land division process in the City of Ottawa to determine the number of residential lots created annually in the rural area. The survey also looks at annual housing construction and estimates future development potential in the rural area.

The following can be purchased at the City Hall Client Service Centre:

• Rural Residential Land Survey Update
• Rural Residential Land Survey Update Detailed Village Parcel List and Map