Relocating my front walkway access in Ottawa: City permit?

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.

Relocating a walkway changes its location, so the resurfacing exception does not apply; whether the relocated walkway can rely on the section 18 exception depends on the conditions below, so confirm with the City.

A road cut permit is also required for any work in the right of way, and the City says the contractor doing the work must obtain it before work begins. The City notes that processing, including the road cut permit, takes six to eight weeks, so plan accordingly. The right of way may be wider than you expect; the City's Landscaping Education Guide says geoOttawa shows the approximate line, and a licensed surveyor gives the exact property line.

There are also design limits to know. Section 18 of the Access By-law says a residential pedestrian access 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 unless otherwise approved. The access grade must be not less than 2 per cent and not more than 8 per cent, descending toward the roadway.

On the private-property side, both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50 apply to applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, with the most restrictive provisions from both applying. Under 2026-50, the maximum width of a walkway leading to a front or exterior side lot line is 1.8 metres, and the cumulative width of all walkways plus all driveways and parking spaces in a front or exterior side yard must not exceed 50 per cent of the lot width. Confirm the rules for your lot with the City.

The contractor doing this work needs a City hardscaping contractor licence, which has been required since March 1, 2026 for businesses that install, alter or pave walkways and pathways on private property. The City's March 2026 guidance says to ask the contractor to show you a copy of their business licence and to check the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors yourself. Ottawa Concrete Pros does not verify anyone's licence or insurance.

Before anyone breaks ground, a locate request must be submitted through Ontario Dig Authority at least five business days before digging starts; the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 requires it for any project that breaks ground, and it is free. Ask who will submit the locate request and whether any private lines to the property will be marked.

Put one question to the contractor in writing: does the new walkway meet section 18 or needs an access permit, and whether the road cut permit is in their scope.