Effective June 7, 2021, Building Code Service counters at Ben Franklin Place and City Hall will reopen for personal service by appointment only. This includes the submission of permit applications, payment of fees and the issuance of permits.
For your convenience, complete permit applications will continue to be accepted electronically for smaller building permit applications or couriered for large format hard copy submissions. A curbside drop-off and pickup service is available at our Ben Franklin Place location only (101 Centrepointe Drive).
To follow are various methods for submitting applications:
1. Contactless Curbside Drop-off / Pickup (101 Centrepointe Drive)
A curbside drop-off/pickup service is available for clients only at 101 Centrepointe Drive. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 9 am to 10 am and 2 pm to 3 pm. We are unable to accept drop-offs or pickups outside of these times.
2. Electronic Building Permit Applications (in printable PDF format)
Smaller building permit applications, such as pool enclosures, sundecks, accessory structures, patio tents, finished basements, additions, plumbing only, and secondary dwelling units may be submitted electronically if they are submitted with a maximum drawing size of 11” x 17” (recommended scale of 1/4”=1’-0”). Building permit applications can be submitted electronically via buildingpermits@ottawa.ca. The payment for all electronic building permit applications will be arranged upon submission.
Building permit applications for houses, semi-detached, duplexes, and large construction projects will not be accepted electronically. See hard copy requirements above for submission requirements.
Requirements for electronic applications are to be submitted as one-package and include the following:
- A completed and signed building permit application form
- A completed and signed Schedule 1
- Electronic set of scaled drawings for the proposed construction project (minimum recommended scale of 1/4”=1’-0”).
Submission requirements and examples for residential building permit applications can be found at the following:
- Pool Enclosure
- Sundeck
- Accessory Building
- Addition
- Finished Basements
- Secondary Dwelling Unit
- Patio, Tents and Awnings
3. Courier Hard Copy Applications
Clients can submit their complete permit application submission packages with payment (cheque) via courier to:
City of Ottawa - Building Code Services
100 Constellation Drive
Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Please note that all hard copy applications are to be submitted as a single package and include the following:
- A completed and signed building permit application
- A completed and signed Schedule 1
- Two complete copies of the drawing package for the proposed construction project. Hard copies must be drawn and printed to a legible scale (minimum recommended scale of 1/4”=1’-0”).
- Payment of application by cheque
All permit submissions will be reviewed for completeness upon receipt. Applications deemed incomplete will not be processed.
Applicants will be advised of the status of their submission within two business days of receipt. This may include a request for additional information. Once an application is deemed complete, the applicant will be notified of their application number and processing will begin.
4. In-person Appointments (Ben Franklin Place or City Hall)
For clients wishing to submit applications, make payments or pick up permits, at either Ben Franklin Place or City Hall, an appointment must be scheduled. Click on the link below to access the appointment scheduler. Note, clients will not be able to enter Ben Franklin Place or City Hall without an appointment and submitting applications electronically is still the preferred method at this time. The appointment scheduler will be available for clients starting June 2, 2021.
Appointment at City Hall – 110 Laurier Avenue West
Appointment at Nepean – 101 Centrepointe Drive
Masks are required to be worn in enclosed public spaces at City of Ottawa facilities as per the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law.
Helpful tips in completing the building permit application form as a homeowner
Building Permit Application form
Section F
As a homeowner, Tarion warranty requirements outlined in Section F are not applicable and can be checked as “No”.
Section G (Schedule 1)
The Ontario Building Code, under Part C article 3.2, allows for a homeowner to take design responsibility for design activities and drawings related to:
- The construction or alteration to the house owned by the person or
- An ancillary building (garage or shed) that serves the house owned by the person.
The Schedule 1 requirement for this exception must be acknowledged under Section D- Declaration of Designer, 3rd sentence, under the basis for exemption-insert “homeowner”.
Building Permit Application-Section H Completeness and compliance with applicable law
Under Section H, any declaration labelled as “No” will not permit the application from being processed. Exception during the COVID-19 situation, payment is not being requested at time of application, therefore the second line may be checked as “No”.
Application/Permit Fees and Payments
Currently the only method of payment for Building Code Services applications and permits is by cheque.
Issuance of Permits
Permit applicants will be contacted when a permit is ready for curbside pickup.
Clients may contact Building Code Services at 613-580-2424, ext. 29312 or email buildingpermits@ottawa.ca for questions regarding their permit application.
Building Inspections
For public and inspector safety, Building Code Inspections staff will not enter occupied areas of the following building types for the purposes of carrying out their duties:
- Personal dwellings, including homes, apartments and condo units
- Long-term care facilities, seniors’ residences and retirement homes
- Hospitals
- Daycare facilities.
Permit holders are encouraged to speak directly with their assigned inspector regarding options for an in-person inspection. Inspectors are currently practicing enhanced health and safety protocols, including physical distancing, while on site.
Development Information Officers
If you require the services of a Development Information Officer, please call 613-580-2424 ext. 23434 or dioinquiry@ottawa.ca
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 situation, the processing of applications may be delayed. We thank you for your understanding and patience.
The COVID-19 situation is very fluid. For up-to-date information regarding building and renovating in Ottawa, please continue to visit Ottawa.ca.