The City of Ottawa’s Accessing Building Permit Records program (ABPR), allows general access to building and sign permit records, while ensuring that the access to the information requests respect the intent of the Copyright Act, without the necessity of a formal request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Through the BPR program clients can also request copies of the permit application, permit, plans, inspection reports, occupancy permit, and outstanding orders.
Before you begin
Before you begin
The City cannot guarantee that the information you are requesting will be located. Please note that fees are non-refundable. The Access to Building Permit Records program allows for the provision of copies of building permit plans to the current residential property owner for specific types of residential use buildings for maintenance or renovation purposes.
Through the ABPR program clients can also request copies of the:
- Permit application
- Permit
- Plans
- Inspection reports
- Occupancy permit
- Outstanding orders
Specific residential use building has been defined as a converted or purpose-built building comprised solely of low rise dwelling units and includes detached, linked detached, semi-detached, duplex, three-unit dwellings and townhouses.
The current residential property owner may assign a person as their "authorized agent" to act on their behalf to view and obtain copies of documents.
What you need
What you need
The person making the request for release of the building plans will be required to submit proof of ownership and copies will be stamped “Copyright Act may apply to use and reproduction”.
The applicant will also be required to acknowledge that the intended use falls within the parameters of the Copyright Board’s standard of implied license, that there is an implied right to a copy of the building plans benefiting the current residential property owner for the purpose of maintenance or renovating their building.
Requests to obtain copies of building plans for all other uses (i.e. apartment, commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed-use buildings) will follow the established process and the person making the request must provide the City with the written consent of the copyright holder in order to obtain copies of building plans. For more information, please contact buildingrecords@ottawa.ca.
Cost and timeline
Cost and timeline
Effective August 1, 2017, payments can no longer be made in cash for any services related to Building Code Services. Accepted methods of payment will be debit card, cheque, bank draft and money order made payable to the City of Ottawa. The City cannot guarantee that the information you are requesting will be located. Please note that fees are non-refundable.
- Application (excluding reproduction costs) $77
- Copies - Paper (per page) $0.30 + HST
- Copies - USB (per USB) $17.25 + HST
- Copies - Plan Sheet (per plan, per sheet) $11.55 + HST
Please refer to the Fee Schedule for a complete list of current fees.
Timelines
The process will take approximately 15 business days.
Apply
Apply
There are various methods for submitting applications.
Online Submissions
Access to Building Permit Records can now be submitted online using the new Building, Planning and Land Development online application and permitting portal available through My Service Ottawa. The new Land Management System (LMS) is a digital technology providing access to online permits and applications for Building Code Services.
Applying for applications and access to the customer portal requires a My ServiceOttawa (MySO) account set-up and registration with the new Building, Planning and Land Development system.
Do you currently have a My ServiceOttawa account?
- No - Please proceed to My ServiceOttawa login page and select the green ‘create an account’ button. Assistance is available for creating your account.
- Yes - Please login to your My ServiceOttawa account and complete the system registration by selecting the Building, planning and land development service widget.
Please refer to the My ServiceOttawa’s help page for assistance on how to manage your account. Several Customer Portal user guides have been developed to provide information on how to use the new system. You may find out more about the new Building, Planning and Land Development online application and permitting system by visiting the Engage Ottawa page.
The current residential property owner may assign a person as their authorized agent to act on their behalf to view and obtain copies of documents. The application form [ PDF 36 KB ] and the Authorized Agent form [ PDF 130 KB ] must be signed by the current residential property owner.
Please note that payment must accompany all applications. Additional costs for photocopies may apply.
Contact
Contact
Who to contact: Building Code Client Service Centre or 3-1-1
Where to apply: Building Code Client Service Centre