What is an occupancy permit and when do I need one?

An occupancy permit in Ottawa is official approval from the City that confirms your building or renovation meets all safety codes and is ready for use - you'll need one for new construction, major renovations, and when changing how a space is used.

In Ottawa, occupancy permits are issued by Building Code Services (613-580-2424) after they've inspected your completed work and verified it complies with the Ontario Building Code. This isn't just a formality - it's your legal protection that the work was done safely and properly.

When You Need an Occupancy Permit in Ottawa

You'll need an occupancy permit for any project that required a building permit, including new homes, additions over 10 square meters, structural changes, secondary dwelling units, and basement apartments. The City also requires occupancy permits when you're changing how a space is used - like converting a garage to living space or creating a home-based business that sees clients.

For major renovations involving structural work, electrical upgrades, or plumbing changes, the occupancy permit confirms everything was installed correctly and inspected properly. This is especially important in Ottawa's older neighborhoods like the Glebe, Westboro, or Sandy Hill where homes may have had multiple renovations over the decades.

The Ottawa Occupancy Permit Process

Once your contractor notifies the City that work is complete, a building inspector will schedule a final inspection within 5-10 business days. They'll check that all work matches the approved plans, safety systems function properly, and required inspections (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) have been completed and passed.

The inspector will verify ESA electrical inspections are complete, TSSA gas work is approved, and all building code requirements are met. If everything passes, they'll issue the occupancy permit immediately. If issues are found, you'll get a list of deficiencies that must be corrected before re-inspection.

What Happens Without an Occupancy Permit

Using a space without proper occupancy approval can create serious problems in Ottawa. Your insurance may not cover claims related to unpermitted work, and you could face orders to stop using the space until permits are obtained. When selling your home, lawyers will request occupancy permits for any additions or major renovations - missing permits can delay or kill a sale.

For rental properties, the City's Property Standards office can issue orders requiring occupancy permits for basement apartments or secondary units. Tenants have been forced to vacate unpermitted units, leaving landlords with expensive legal and financial problems.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be wary of contractors who suggest skipping the occupancy permit to "save time and money." Legitimate contractors understand this permit protects both you and them. If a contractor says "we don't need final inspection," that's a major red flag - they may be cutting corners or aren't familiar with Ottawa's requirements.

Always verify your contractor is properly licensed through ESA (for electrical) and TSSA (for gas work) before they start, as these inspections are required before occupancy permits are issued.

For building permit applications and occupancy permit information, visit ottawa.ca/building or call Building Code Services at 613-580-2424. The permit fee is typically included in your original building permit cost, but additional inspections for failed attempts cost around $100-200 each.