The kitchen, bathroom, and basement are the most common Ottawa renovations for homes and residences.
If you have decided to renovate your home, you are probably wondering, “Do I need a building permit for renovations in Ottawa?”
It’s completely understandable that you want to get your project done with minimal bureaucracy. However, building permits in Ottawa are required for a reason. Below, you can find out when Ottawa home renovation permits are required.
Ottawa Home Renovations That Don’t Require a Building Permit
The scope of your home renovation project is the one factor that determines whether you need to obtain a building permit or not.
For instance, most of the cosmetic changes to your home can be completed without a permit.
Cosmetic renovations are modifications to your house that change the visual aesthetic without affecting the physical and functional parts of the building. Since these renovations are simple, for the most part, they do not require a permit.
What do cosmetic Ottawa home renovations include?
If you have decided to change the flooring in your home, you won’t need to get a building permit.
Painting or wallpapering your walls does not require a permit as well.
The same applies if you have decided to take off the old panelling from the walls and replace it with a new one. You can also have a tap or toilet replaced without a permit.
Replacing light fixtures and fans attached to the ceiling does not require a permit either.
Outdoor projects like landscaping or building a garden bed can also be performed without a permit.
However, if you are making a structural change to your home, you will need a building permit.
When are Ottawa Home Renovation Permits Required
Ottawa home renovation permits are a must-have if the renovation encompasses structural changes to your home.
What is a structural change? A structural change is a change or renovation of your house that affects elements that are load-bearing or can impact your home’s ability to handle its own load and other loads that are placed on it.
For instance, if you are taking out an entire wall or a section of a wall, you will need a permit.
Adding or increasing the size of a doorway or a window also implies that you need to have a building permit.
If you are relocating your toilet or a sink, it is a structural change, and therefore you’ll need a permit. In this case, you will need a plumbing permit, but it is a permit nonetheless.
The same goes for changes made to electrical installations in your home.
Outdoor projects like building decks and patios will require a building permit too.
The best thing for you to do before starting any large-scale renovation of your property is to determine if a permit is required.
How Do You Get A Building Permit In Ottawa?
There are a few steps to follow if you want to obtain a permit for any renovation project in your home.
- Document the scope of work that the renovation will cover.
- Contact the Building Code Services department of Ottawa to determine if a permit is required.
- If a permit is required, review the Ontario Building Code and the zoning regulations of Ottawa to determine if your renovation project is compliant
- Apply for a permit by filling out the required forms and submitting them along with other required documents to the Building Code Services department.
- Your application will be reviewed by the department and, if necessary, an inspection of the premises will be conducted.
- If all the requirements have been met satisfactorily, the permit will be issued and construction can begin.
- During the course of the renovation, the city inspector will visit to make sure the work stays within the boundaries of the permit and other regulations.
- When the project is complete, the inspector conducts a final inspection. If the project has been completed within the bounds of the permit and the zoning regulations, the inspector will issue a certificate of occupancy.
Why are Building Permits In Ottawa Important
Not all Ottawa 
contractors are the same.
Some are capable of delivering high-quality service, while others are not. A building permit is the only way to ensure that the integrity of your home is not compromised.
The City of Ottawa will send a qualified inspector to make sure that everything is being done according to the latest standards.
Ottawa home renovation permits play another important role. If you decide to sell your home at one point, you will need to provide the permits for all renovations as evidence that everything was done properly and legally.
You should also know that the contractor in Ottawa is not responsible for obtaining a building permit in your stead. It is your responsibility.
If you plan to make some structural changes to your home, you need a reliable and trustworthy Ottawa contractor specializing in home renovations.
Whether you live in Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, or Westboro, March Homes will help you see your home renovation project through. March Homes is a trusted contractor in Ottawa known for its exceptional home renovations and impeccable customer service.
