In Ontario, homeowners can pull their own building permit instead of hiring a designer or contractor to do it. The process: prepare drawings, submit through MyServiceOttawa, pay fees, respond to plan-review comments, schedule inspections during construction, and request final inspection on completion. Done correctly, it saves the cost of designer fees. Done incorrectly, it delays the project by weeks and creates revisions, which add up.

This guide walks through the Ottawa-specific permit process for typical residential renovations: kitchen, bathroom, basement, decks, additions. The City of Ottawa permit minimum is $117; the fee scales with the declared value of work.

Before you start

Three things to settle:

1. What needs a permit. Required: structural work, electrical/plumbing modifications, basement legalizations, additions, decks over 2 ft tall, basement bedrooms, sheds over 15 sq m. Not required: cosmetic work (paint, flooring, drywall repair), kitchen cabinets unless plumbing/electrical changes, replacing fixtures in same location. When in doubt, call Ottawa Building Code Services.

2. What drawings you need. Site plan (showing the addition/work area on the lot), floor plans (existing and proposed), elevations (for additions or exterior changes), structural details for major work (engineered drawings if structural). Drawings can be hand-sketched OR CAD. Code requires accurate dimensions and labels — neat hand-drawn is acceptable for simple residential.

3. BCIN designer or engineer required for some scopes. Section 9 buildings (most homes) under 600 sq m: BCIN designer or engineer drawings required for structural/major work. Owners can self-prepare drawings only for very simple projects within their own residence (your own home, not a rental). Major work always benefits from a BCIN designer preparing the full drawings.

What you'll need

Tools

Computer with internet access
Tape measure
Pencil and paper or CAD software

Materials

MyServiceOttawa account (free signup)
Project drawings (PDF format for upload)
Application form (downloadable from Ottawa.ca)
Property survey (you may have one from purchase; or order from Land Registry)
Letter of acknowledgement (if applicable)
Credit card for fees

Drawings drive the entire process

Plan reviewers spend 80% of their time on drawings. Clear, well-labeled drawings get approved fast; vague or incomplete drawings get returned with revision requests.

Always show: dimensions in metric (mm), wall types, materials, structural members and connections, electrical layouts, plumbing rough-ins. The more complete the first submission, the fewer revisions.

Step-by-step instructions

Determine if your project requires a permit

Check Ottawa.ca/permits page for the current 'Do I need a permit?' guide.

Call 311 or Ottawa Building Code Services if uncertain — staff will tell you.

Doing work without required permit creates issues at sale, refinance, and insurance claims.

Prepare your project drawings

Site plan: scaled drawing showing house, lot lines, setbacks, and where the work is happening.

Floor plans: existing layout, then proposed layout, with dimensions in millimetres.

Elevations: exterior views for additions or major exterior changes.

Structural details: header sizes, beam sizes, framing schedules. Engineered drawings for structural work.

Electrical and plumbing layouts: where outlets, switches, fixtures, and rough-ins go.

Decide: self-prepare or hire BCIN designer

Self-prepare: only for your own residence, simple projects, willing to revise multiple times.

BCIN designer: handles full drawings + permit submission. Worth it for larger or structural projects — the designer's fee saves time and reduces revisions.

Engineer: required for structural work and complex foundations.

Create MyServiceOttawa account

Go to MyServiceOttawa.ca; create account if you don't have one.

Verify your identity per the system's process.

Account is used for permits, property tax, and other municipal services.

Submit the building permit application online

Through MyServiceOttawa, navigate to Building Permits.

Fill out the application form: project address, scope of work, contractor info (or 'self' if pulling your own), value of work.

Upload PDF drawings.

Pay application fee (typically $117 minimum, scaling with project value).

Respond to plan-review comments

Within 10 business days (typically), Ottawa returns plan-review comments — often requesting clarifications or revisions.

Common comments: missing dimensions, unclear material specs, missing structural calculations, electrical/plumbing detail unclear.

Revise drawings, upload, and respond.

Each revision cycle adds 5-10 business days. Plan accordingly.

Receive permit and schedule first inspection

Once plans approved, you receive a permit number and inspection card (printable).

Permit is valid 6 months from issuance (extendable).

Schedule first inspection at the appropriate construction milestone (typically: footings, framing, insulation, final).

Call inspections at least 24-48 hours ahead through MyServiceOttawa or the inspection line.

Build to drawings and pass inspections

Build per approved drawings. Deviations require revision permit (more fees, more time).

Inspector visits at scheduled stages: footings → framing → rough-in (electrical, plumbing) → insulation → final.

Each pass: inspector signs the inspection card.

Failed inspection: fix the issue, request re-inspection (additional fee).

Final inspection and certificate

After all work complete, request final inspection.

Inspector verifies the entire scope.

Pass = certificate of occupancy or final sign-off on inspection card.

Save documents permanently — needed for sale and insurance.

Common mistakes that cost you

Skipping the permit. Insurance won't cover work without permit; sale becomes complicated; municipality can issue stop-work orders. Pull the permit.
Drawings too vague. Each plan-review revision adds 5-10 business days. Submit complete drawings the first time.
Self-preparing complex drawings. Major structural work needs BCIN designer or engineer. Homeowners can't always self-prepare for permit approval.
Building before permit issued. Stop-work order if caught. Remove and rebuild may be required.
Skipping inspections. Permits expire; final certificate not issued without all inspections. Schedule each one.

Frequently asked questions

What does an Ottawa permit actually cost?

The City of Ottawa sets a permit minimum of $117 for small jobs.

Above that minimum, the fee scales with the declared value of the work — the larger the project, the higher the permit fee.

So a kitchen, bathroom, basement legalization, or addition each costs more in permit fees as its scope and value grow. The City publishes its current fee schedule on the MyServiceOttawa portal.

How long does the permit process take?

Plan review: 10 business days for a complete application.

Each revision cycle: another 5-10 business days.

Typical clean-application total: 2-4 weeks from submission to permit issuance.

Major projects with multiple revisions: 6-12 weeks.

Can I work without a permit if it's just inside my house?

Cosmetic work (paint, flooring, fixtures in same location): no permit required.

Structural, electrical (new circuits), plumbing (new fixtures), or major work: permit required.

When in doubt, call 311. Working without required permit creates major issues.

When to call us instead

We pull permits as part of every renovation. As BCIN-certified designers, we handle the entire process — drawings, submission, plan-review responses, inspections — included in fixed-price scopes.

Book a free 60-minute site visit →

Related Ottawa services

If you'd rather have a BCIN designer handle the permits and renovation together, our team coordinates everything. Book a free 60-minute consultation.