Question 1

Walkway access built without a permit in Orleans: what does the by-law say?

Accepted Answer

Orleans is part of the City of Ottawa, so the Access By-law 2026-139, enacted April 8, 2026, applies there the same as anywhere else in the city. Whether a permit was needed depends on what was built and where it sits relative to the right of way. The Access By-law deals with accesses in the City right of way, the City-owned land that includes the boulevard and the accesses to driveways and walkways. Work behind the property line raises zoning and building-permit questions instead.

Question 2

Relocating my front walkway access in Ottawa: City permit?

Accepted Answer

Under Ottawa's Access By-law 2026-139, section 20(1) says no person shall construct, reconstruct, relocate, alter, close or remove an access without first obtaining a permit; the 2026 standard fee is $208. Section 20(3) lists exceptions, including resurfacing with no change to location, dimensions or grading, and a residential pedestrian access that meets section 18.

Question 3

How much of my front yard must stay soft landscaped in Ottawa?

Accepted Answer

The answer depends on how far your front yard setback is and how wide your lot is, and for applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50 apply, with the most restrictive provision from each applying. Under Zoning By-law 2026-50, the minimum soft landscaping in a front or exterior side yard is set by Table 802, based on the yard's setback depth.

Question 4

Which patios does the City of Ottawa exempt from a building permit?

Accepted Answer

The City's patio page says a patio is exempt from a building permit if all four of the following are met: the patio structure is supported directly on the ground, meaning it is not raised and not constructed on deck blocks; it does not have an occupant load exceeding the aggregate sum of the occupant loads permitted for the interior and exterior spaces; it does not adversely impact the existing exiting arrangement; and it does not adversely impact the existing barrier-free accessibility.

Permits, Zoning & City Rules

Walkway access built without a permit in Orleans: what does the by-law say?

Relocating my front walkway access in Ottawa: City permit?

How much of my front yard must stay soft landscaped in Ottawa?

Which patios does the City of Ottawa exempt from a building permit?