Ottawa Deck Permit Checklist
When you need a permit, what drawings to include, and the setbacks that decide where your deck can go.
Got your drawings ready? Run a free pre-check →
Do you need a permit?
In Ottawa you need a building permit for a deck when the walking surface is more than 600 mm (about 24 inches) above the ground next to it, or when the deck is attached to the house. A deck can skip the permit only if it meets all of these: it's freestanding (not attached to the house), the walking surface is 600 mm or less above grade, the total area is 10 m² (about 108 sq ft) or less, and it isn't the main entrance to the home.
Even a deck that doesn't need a building permit still has to meet the zoning by-law. Setbacks apply either way.
What to include
The provincial form, completed and signed. Ottawa takes applications through the My ServiceOttawa (MySO) portal.
Identifies the designer and their BCIN. You can design your own deck for your own home without a BCIN, but you still say so.
Property lines with dimensions, the house, the proposed deck, and the deck's distance to every lot line.
Footing size and location, beam and joist sizes and spacing.
Deck height above grade, guard and railing heights, and the stairs.
Footing depth, post and beam connections, and guard construction.
Ottawa zoning and local rules
Ottawa is running two zoning by-laws at once during a transition: the older By-law 2008-250 and the new By-law 2026-50. The more restrictive of the two applies until the new one is fully in force, so check both for your address on the city zoning map.
A raised deck can project up to 2 m into a required yard but no closer than 1 m to a lot line. An uncovered deck 600 mm or less above grade has no rear or interior-side encroachment limit. The exact rear and side yard minimums depend on your R1 subzone.
Footings have to reach below the frost line, which is deep in Ottawa, and the roof of a covered structure has to be sized for the local snow load. If your lot is near a river, wetland, or floodplain, the local conservation authority (Rideau Valley, Mississippi Valley, or South Nation) may need to sign off first.
What gets packages returned
Official Ottawa resources
Check your package before Ottawa does
Upload your deck drawings and get a pre-check report in a couple of minutes, against Ottawa's published requirements.
Run Free Pre-CheckThis checklist is for information only and is based on publicly available City of Ottawa requirements, which can change. Always confirm with ottawa.ca.