How much does a minor variance cost in Ottawa?

A minor variance application in Ottawa costs $1,000 plus additional fees for notices and signs, typically totaling around $1,200-1,300 for most residential applications.

The City of Ottawa's Committee of Adjustment charges a base fee of $1,000 for minor variance applications, but this doesn't cover everything you'll need. You'll also pay approximately $200-300 for required public notices that must be sent to neighboring properties, plus around $50-100 for the mandatory sign that gets posted on your property.

The Complete Ottawa Minor Variance Process

When you apply through the City of Ottawa's Committee of Adjustment (613-580-2424), you're asking for relief from specific zoning requirements - things like setback distances, lot coverage, or building height restrictions. The application must demonstrate that your request meets four tests under the Planning Act: it's minor in nature, desirable for appropriate development, maintains the general intent of the zoning bylaw, and maintains the general intent of the Official Plan.

The timeline typically runs 6-8 weeks from application to decision. Your application gets reviewed by city planning staff, circulated to relevant departments, and then goes before the Committee of Adjustment for a public hearing. Neighbors within 60 meters get notified and can attend the hearing to support or oppose your application.

What to Watch For

Many Ottawa homeowners discover they need a minor variance only after their contractor applies for a building permit and gets rejected. This adds significant time and cost to your project. Before hiring any contractor for additions, decks, or renovations near property lines, verify that your plans comply with current zoning. Your contractor should be checking this upfront - if they're not, that's a red flag.

Some contractors will tell you to "just apply for the building permit and see what happens" rather than properly checking zoning compliance first. This approach can cost you months of delays and the full minor variance fee even if your project gets rejected.

Getting It Right From The Start

Smart homeowners have their contractor verify zoning compliance before finalizing designs. The City of Ottawa's Zoning Information Request service (613-580-2424) can confirm your property's zoning and requirements for around $100 - much cheaper than discovering issues later.

If you do need a minor variance, factor both the cost and 6-8 week timeline into your project planning. Your building permit application can't proceed until the minor variance is approved, so this becomes the first step in your approval process.

For complex applications or if neighbors are likely to oppose, consider hiring a planning consultant familiar with Ottawa's Committee of Adjustment. The upfront cost often saves money compared to having applications refused and needing to reapply.

Contact the City of Ottawa's Committee of Adjustment at 613-580-2424 or visit ottawa.ca/planning for current application forms and detailed requirements.