Beyond application approval

Building and Renovating next steps

Once your development application has been approved you will now move onto the next steps in developing your property, which will include building and renovating.  You may also be interested in planning your project or do I need a building permit as starting points for developing your property.  You will also need to consider how new residential and non residential development charges or education development charges may affect your project in developing your property.

New Subdivision and Site Plan Construction 

The City of Ottawa’s Development Inspections Unit supervises the construction of all new subdivisions and site plans, ensuring that all infrastructure (both above and below ground) are constructed to City and provincial standards.  Examples of such infrastructure include roads, sidewalks, sewers, watermains, street lighting, lot grading and landscaping and regulatory and street name signage.

Who is involved in the construction of a development project?

Developer – The Developer, who owns the land, enters into a Subdivision or Site Plan Agreement with the City to ensure that the construction of the project meets the requirements of the City and other public agencies. The City holds financial securities to ensure the Developer performs all the requirements of the agreement.  

Consulting Engineer – Hired by the Developer, the Consulting Engineer is directly responsible for the supervision and administration of subdivision and site plan construction.

Contractors – Contractors have various construction abilities and are hired by the Developer to construct all new infrastructure relating to the development application that is under construction.

Builder – Buys lots from the Developer and then builds the homes that the Homeowners purchase.

Homeowners – Buy homes within a new subdivision.

City of Ottawa – City staff inspect subdivision and site plan works undertaken by the Developer to ensure that it complies with the subdivision or site plan agreement. Financial securities held against the Developer are often reduced several times during the lifespan of the project, depending on the progress of the installed infrastructure.  The final release of securities occur when all deficiencies have been corrected and all conditions in the subdivision or site plan agreement have been met.

(Note: There may be exceptions to the above. The Builder and Developer may be one in the same in some subdivisions. In others, various Builders buy lots from one Developer.)

Assumption of City-Owned Infrastructure 

Assumption of City-Owned Infrastructure occurs when the municipality assumes responsibility for the maintenance of all infrastructure contained within the road allowance. This usually occurs within two to four years after the registration of a subdivision or when the City is satisfied that the Developer’s obligations have been fulfilled (typically one to two years after the final layer of pavement has been placed throughout a subdivision). Until Assumption, the Developer is responsible for all infrastructure and the upkeep of the street (except snow removal). 

Rear Yard Catch Basins 

In subdivisions, rear yard catch basins are typically installed on private property and the majority of these are City-owned and maintained by registered easements.  Alterations to these rear yard catchbasins are not permitted, as any changes could adversely affect the overall storm water management design.

Grading and Landscaping

In subdivisions, Builders are responsible to grade and sod each lot, according to the City-approved grade control plan.  Each lot is inspected prior to the placement of any sod to ensure compliance with this plan.

Trees

In addition to grading and landscaping, Builders are also responsible for planting trees within and around subdivisions.  Developers submit an overall landscape plan for subdivisions for approval, and when approved, Builders plant their trees according to this plan.  It is important to note that once the landscape plan has been approved by the City, no changes to this plan will be permitted.  

The Right-of-Way (ROW) By-law, Permits and Inspection Unit is responsible for regulating activities in the public right-of-way.  The ROW includes the traveled portion of the public streets and alleys, as well as the border area, which includes, but is not limited to, any sidewalks, planting strips, traffic circles, or medians.

Programs administered by ROW include:

Café Seating Permit

The Cafe Seating program allows businesses to place limited outdoor seating on the road allowance. A Café Seating Permit allows businesses to have a maximum of four tables with two chairs each against the wall of their building. At no time can alcohol be served at the cafe seating.

Customer Service Box Permit

Customer service boxes are either publication distribution boxes or courier drop boxes that are permitted to be installed on the road allowance.  

Decorative Banner Permit

Decorative Banners may be installed on utility poles to decorate an area or promote a major special event.

Directional Farm Sign Permit

Directional Farm Signs are permitted alongside roadways to direct traffic to registered farms or farmers’ markets.

Homebuilder Way-finding Sign Permit

Homebuilder Way-finding Signs are permitted alongside roadways to direct traffic to the boundary of new housing developments and to the builder sales centres to assist with general way-finding.

Permanent Encroachment Agreements (Aerial, Subsurface, Surface)

A legal agreement is required for anything man-made that encroaches on public property whether below, at, or above grade.

Private Approach Permit

If you plan to construct, widen or close your driveway, you need to apply for a Private Approach Permit.

Road Cut Permit

A permit is required before anyone can undertake a road cut, which is defined as: a surface or subsurface cut in any part of a highway made by any means, including excavation, reconstruction, cutting, overlaying, crack sealing, braking, boring, jacking or tunnelling operations.

Temporary Construction-Related Encroachment Permit

Temporary Construction-related Encroachment Permits are issued to clients undertaking a private property project requiring the use of City road allowance in order to store materials and/or stage part of their work.

Patio Permit

The Outdoor Patio program allows businesses, such as bars, restaurants and cafés, to put outdoor seating on the road allowance. An initial review and approval in accordance with the provisions of the Right of Way Patio By-law is required, after which monthly permits may be issued.

Over-Dimensional Vehicle Permit

A permit is required in order to operate an over-dimensional vehicle on City Streets.

For any questions, you may contact the City’s ROW By-law, Permits and Inspection Unit at 613-580-2424 ext. 16000 or ROW_Permit_Office@ottawa.ca.