Heritage Permit Application

Under the Ontario Heritage Act, changes to designated heritage properties require the approval of the City of Ottawa. An application for permit under the Ontario Heritage Act is required when the scope of work includes demolition, new construction in a heritage conservation district or alterations that are required to go to the Built Heritage Committee and Council for approval. City approval is required before any work on a heritage property, that will affect its heritage attributes, can be undertaken.

Before you begin

Before making an application, you should discuss the proposal with staff in the Heritage Planning Branch. Heritage staff will also be able to provide advice and determine the documentation as well as applicable fees required for a complete application.

Fees

As of January 1, 2024, the City of Ottawa is implementing a new fee schedule for applications made under the Ontario Heritage Act. These are divided into two categories: staff-issued permits and City Council-issued permits and the following fees apply.

Staff-level authority

  • Alterations: $286.00
  • Additions: $858.00
  • Other: $0

Council-level authority

  • Minor Alterations: $2,399.00
  • Major Alterations: $9,153.00
  • Demolitions
    • Part IV/Grade 1/Contributing: $14, 303.00
    • Grade 2/Non-Contributing: $2,861.00
  • New Construction on Designated Property
    • Small-scale new construction: $3,433.00
    • Medium-scale new construction: $5,721.00
    • Large-scale new construction: $9,153.00

Apply

Application forms are available at all Client Service Centres or online and should be submitted at one of the City’s Client Service Centres with the required fee and any other information that may be needed to assess your application.

  • Electronic submission of heritage applications will be accepted going forward. Please send them to the File Lead or the heritage inbox (heritage@ottawa.ca).
  • Payment can be made by mailing a cheque by regular mail ensuring the following details are on the envelope or it cannot be processed:

Your Company Name:
Heritage Application Number:
Client Service Centre
101 Centrepointe Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5K7

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