What are the egress window requirements in Ottawa?

Egress window requirements in Ottawa follow the Ontario Building Code (OBC), with specific rules for basement bedrooms and sleeping areas that must have proper emergency exits.

In Ottawa, any basement room used as a bedroom or sleeping area must have an egress window that meets these OBC requirements:

Minimum Opening Size:

• Clear opening of at least 0.35 square meters (3.8 square feet)


• Minimum width of 380mm (15 inches)


• Minimum height of 380mm (15 inches)


• Window sill must be no higher than 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the floor

Window Well Requirements:
If your egress window is below grade (common in Ottawa basements), the window well must:

• Extend at least 600mm (24 inches) from the window


• Have a minimum area of 0.6 square meters (6.5 square feet)


• Include a drain connected to foundation drainage or sump system


• Have walls that won't collapse (proper retaining wall construction)

Permit Requirements in Ottawa:
Installing or modifying egress windows typically requires a building permit from the City of Ottawa. Contact Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or visit ottawa.ca/building to confirm permit requirements for your specific situation. Permit fees generally range from $200-500 depending on the scope of work.

What to Watch For:
Many Ottawa homeowners discover egress issues when finishing basements or converting spaces to bedrooms. Red flags include contractors who say "no permit needed" for bedroom conversions, or who don't mention egress requirements when quoting basement renovations. Always verify that your contractor understands OBC egress requirements.

Professional Requirements:
Window installation affecting structural elements (cutting foundation walls) requires engineering approval. Ensure your contractor pulls proper permits and arranges required inspections through the City of Ottawa.

Common Ottawa Scenarios:
In older Ottawa homes (especially in areas like the Glebe, Westboro, or Sandy Hill), basement windows often don't meet current egress standards. If you're converting basement space to bedrooms or creating a secondary dwelling unit, upgrading to compliant egress windows is mandatory.

For verification of current OBC requirements and Ottawa-specific permit processes, contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services directly at 613-580-2424. They can confirm whether your planned egress window modifications require permits and inspections.