What is the zoning for laneway houses in Ottawa?

Ottawa currently does not permit laneway houses under its zoning bylaws, unlike cities like Toronto or Vancouver that have embraced this housing form.

The City of Ottawa's Zoning By-law 2008-250 doesn't include provisions for laneway housing or laneway suites. While Ottawa allows secondary dwelling units (like basement apartments or coach houses), these must meet specific requirements including:

• Front or side yard setbacks (typically 6-7.5 meters from the street)
• Parking requirements (usually 1-2 spaces depending on the zone)
• Maximum size restrictions (often 40% of the principal dwelling's floor area)

Current Secondary Dwelling Options in Ottawa:

Instead of laneway houses, Ottawa homeowners can create secondary units through:

• Garden suites/coach houses - detached structures in rear yards that meet setback requirements


• Basement apartments - within the principal dwelling


• Converted portions of the main house (like above-garage suites)

All secondary dwelling units in Ottawa require building permits through the City's Building Code Services (613-580-2424) and must comply with zoning, parking, and servicing requirements.

What This Means for Contractors and Homeowners:

If you're considering a detached accessory structure for rental income, work with contractors familiar with Ottawa's secondary dwelling unit requirements. The project will need:

• Zoning compliance review


• Building permit ($500-2000+ depending on size)


• ESA electrical permit for new service


• Possible TSSA permits for gas connections


• Site plan showing setbacks and parking

Future Possibilities:

Ottawa's Official Plan is under review, and housing policy continues to evolve. The city has been studying "gentle densification" options, but as of 2024, laneway houses remain prohibited. Any contractor promising to build a laneway house in Ottawa is either uninformed about local zoning or potentially operating outside regulations.

For current secondary dwelling unit requirements and to confirm zoning compliance for your specific property, contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or visit ottawa.ca/building. Always verify zoning compliance before hiring contractors for accessory dwelling projects.