Ottawa bathroom permit: when you need one and what to submit
The short answer
Not to swap a fixture in the same spot. Adding, changing or extending plumbing needs a permit. City fee: $117 for plumbing-only work.
Last verified 2026-10-07 · City of Ottawa: Building permit projects, City of Ottawa: Projects not requiring building permits, City of Ottawa: Building Code fee schedule (January 1, 2026)- City fee
- $117 for plumbing-only work
- Where to apply
- My ServiceOttawa building portal
- Review time
- About 5 business days for a first review of a deck, finished basement or pool enclosure (15 for adding an apartment).
New bathroom cabinets need no permit if the fixtures stay where they are.
What an application usually includes
Ottawa’s checklist has the exact list; apply through My ServiceOttawa building portal.
- A plumbing layout: fixtures, drains, vents and the tie-in to the stack
- The fixture count for the fee
- A floor plan if walls or openings change
Local quirks
- Already have a fenced yard? A pool or hot tub still needs its own enclosure permit.
- The finished side of a fence faces the street and the neighbours, and chain-link on homes has to be vinyl- or powder-coated.
- Heritage-designated properties lose the usual permit exemptions, so check before even small jobs.
Design your Ottawa bathroom to the Building Code.
The design, drawings and code checks work in Ottawa today. Ottawa’s own forms aren’t built in yet, so you’ll fill those in on the City’s portal.