Narrow lot in Hintonburg: can I add a walkway beside the driveway?

Possibly: a concrete walkway beside a driveway in Hintonburg depends on the zoning width limits and, where it meets the sidewalk, on the Access By-law's frontage rule, so check both before any work begins.

Zoning on a narrow lot

Both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50 apply to any application deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, and the most restrictive provisions from each govern. Under 2026-50, a walkway leading to a front or exterior side lot line may not exceed 1.8 metres in width, and the cumulative width of all walkways plus all driveways and parking spaces in the front or exterior side yard must not exceed 50 per cent of the lot width. A walkway that abuts the driveway is considered part of the permitted driveway under 2026-50. Under 2008-250, a walkway is permitted in any yard if it does not exceed 1.8 metres in width and consists of hard landscaping. You will need to measure your lot width and add up the driveway plus any proposed walkway to see where you land. Confirm the rules for your specific lot with the City of Ottawa, because both by-laws apply and the more restrictive provision wins.

Soft landscaping is also affected. Under 2026-50, the front yard must meet a minimum soft landscaping percentage that depends on the yard's setback depth and your lot width. Adding hard surface beside an existing driveway reduces what is left for soft landscaping, so that calculation matters too.

If the numbers do not work, you can apply to the City's Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance. The urban fee is $3,759 total as of January 1, 2026. Whether a variance is granted is the Committee's decision.

On the right-of-way side, the City's Landscaping Education Guide notes the ROW may be wider than you expect, and geoOttawa shows the approximate line. For the exact property line, contact a licensed surveyor. In the ROW, the only hard landscaping permitted is a driveway or walkway access. Under the Access By-law 2026-139, a residential pedestrian access in the ROW may be built without a permit if it does not exceed 1.8 metres in width, is not within 0.6 metres of a fire hydrant or 1.8 metres of a vehicular access, and there is no modification to the curb or sidewalk. Where the frontage is 12 metres or less and there is an existing vehicular access, a pedestrian access is not permitted in the ROW unless otherwise approved by the City.

Before any digging, a locate request must be submitted through Ontario Dig Authority at least five business days before work starts. This is required by the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, and there is no fee.

The contractor you hire must hold a City of Ottawa Hardscaping Contractor Licence, which has been required since March 1, 2026 for walkway installation. Ask to see the licence and check the City's published list yourself.

Start with the City of Ottawa, not the contractor, because the lot-width calculation and the ROW frontage rule are the two things that will tell you whether the walkway is even permitted before you spend anything on design or quotes.