How much does demolition permit cost in Ottawa?

A City of Ottawa demolition permit costs $117 for the first 5,000 square feet of gross floor area in 2026, plus $12.75 for each additional 1,000 square feet or part of it. For almost any house, the permit fee itself is $117. A sewer disconnection fee may also apply.

Some worked examples using the City's 2026 fee schedule: a 2,200 sq ft house is $117. A 6,000 sq ft building is $117 + $12.75 = $129.75. The fee is based on floor area, not on the value of the work.

Not every removal needs a demolition permit. The City says the demolition of certain building types (silos and barns) and of non-load-bearing interior partitions does not require a demolition permit. Removing a load-bearing wall is structural work and is handled as part of a renovation, not a demolition permit.

The bigger numbers you may see are penalties, not fees. The same fee schedule lists an administrative surcharge when work starts before a permit is issued: $1,170 where the building is subject to the Demolition Control By-law, $3,510 on a property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, and 50% of the permit fee (up to $10,000) in other cases. Getting the permit first avoids all of these.

Timing: the City's first review takes about 10 business days. An inspection is required when demolition starts, and inspections should be booked 48 hours in advance.

Other things to line up before a whole-building demolition:

• Clearances from the utilities: water and sewer, Bell, Rogers, Enbridge Gas and Hydro Ottawa (or Hydro One). Enbridge can take weeks, so start early.
• A site fence: 1.8 m high if the building is within 3 m of a public road or sidewalk, 1.2 m for most other houses of up to three storeys.
• If the house was built before 1990, Health Canada advises having a professional test for asbestos before work begins.
• Heritage or Demolition Control checks if the property is designated or in the inner urban area.

Next step: confirm your details on ottawa.ca (search "demolition permit") or call 311, then apply online through My ServiceOttawa. If you'd like help with the work itself, browse verified contractors in our directory.