What renovations require a permit in Ontario?

In Ontario, most structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, and HVAC installations require building permits, with specific requirements varying by municipality like Ottawa.

Major Renovations That Always Need Permits in Ontario

Structural Work: Any changes to load-bearing walls, beams, or the building's structure require permits. This includes removing walls, adding openings for doors or windows, or reinforcing floors for heavy loads like hot tubs.

Electrical Systems: All electrical work in Ontario requires ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) permits, whether it's adding new circuits, upgrading panels, or installing new outlets. Only Licensed Electrical Contractors can pull these permits, though homeowners can do their own work if they get proper ESA inspections.

Plumbing Changes: New bathrooms, kitchen relocations, or any changes to water supply and drainage systems need permits. This includes moving sinks, adding bathrooms, or installing new water lines.

HVAC and Gas Work: Installing new furnaces, air conditioning, or gas appliances requires both TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) certification and municipal permits. Gas line work must be done by TSSA-certified G1 or G2 technicians.

Ottawa-Specific Permit Requirements

In Ottawa, you'll also need permits for:

• Basement finishing when adding bedrooms, bathrooms, or changing the use


• Secondary dwelling units (requires zoning compliance review)


• Decks over 24 inches high or attached to the house


• Sheds over 108 square feet


• Fences over 6 feet high or any fence in a corner lot front yard


• Driveways and walkway changes that affect drainage

What Usually Doesn't Need Permits

Minor cosmetic work typically doesn't require permits: painting, flooring replacement (same type), kitchen cabinet refacing, bathroom fixture replacement (same location), and interior non-structural walls under certain height limits.

Getting Permits in Ottawa

Contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or visit ottawa.ca/building to determine specific requirements for your project. Permit fees range from $100-300 for simple projects up to $2000+ for major renovations, with processing times from 10 business days to 8 weeks depending on complexity.

Red Flag Warning: Any contractor who suggests skipping required permits is putting you at risk. Unpermitted work can cause insurance issues, resale problems, and safety hazards. Always verify contractor licenses through ESA (esasafe.com) for electrical work and TSSA (tssa.org) for gas/HVAC work.

The Ontario Building Code sets minimum standards, but municipalities like Ottawa can have additional requirements, so always check locally before starting work.