City of Ottawa Building Permits

We had a call this week to help a home owner finish a basement project that they had started on their own. They wanted our help as it was taking them so long to complete as they were only working on it during the evening or week-ends when they got home from their full-time jobs. They had started framing in new room walls, running electrical and installing bathroom plumbing.

My first question was if they had obtained a City of Ottawa Building permit. The answer was no.

I'm all for a home owner completing projects they feel comfortable with but it must be done right!

Home owners are required to obtain a Building permit when adding of removing walls in the basement of a home, installing new plumbing, insulating and vapour barrier

This home owner wanted nothing to do with applying for a permit so we told them your project will not be completed by my team

I've never understood why with one of the largest financial investments in your life you would take a chance of not completing your renovation without a permit. It protects you and your family, your investment and will ensure when you sell your home in the future, the buyer will not have any concerns of illegal renovations.

If you are a homeowner of a newly renovated home where the previous homeowner performed the renovations, it is best to ask for a copy of the construction plans and the building permit. If they cannot be given to you for whatever reason, you can ask the city to supply you with a copy. Fill out an application for a Compliance Summary Report, which will give you the history of the property, what had been applied for and at what time.

Applying for permit is very easy and painless