Do I need a building permit for a small bump-out in Ottawa?

In most cases, yes. The City of Ottawa lists one- and two-storey additions among the projects that need a building permit, and a bump-out is a small addition. The City's list also includes structural repairs or alterations, enlarging or relocating a window or door, and new windows where there were none before. A bump-out usually involves several of those at once: cutting into the exterior wall, extending or reinforcing floor framing, insulating and re-cladding.

Do not assume a very small bump-out is exempt. If you are unsure whether your project needs a permit, contact the City's Building Code Services at buildingpermits@ottawa.ca and describe what you plan to build. Even work that is exempt from a permit still has to comply with the Building Code and the Zoning By-law.

It is also worth knowing who carries the risk. The City says it is the owner's responsibility to make sure a building permit is obtained when required, and that both the owner and the builder or contractor are responsible and equally liable. A contractor who suggests skipping the permit is not doing you a favour.

The application will typically include drawings of the proposed extension and a site plan showing where it sits relative to the property lines. If the bump-out is cantilevered or affects load-bearing framing, expect your designer to involve a structural engineer. Ask your designer what the City will want for your particular project.

Permit fees for additions and alterations are $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, which includes materials, labour, overhead and professional fees, with a minimum of $117. For example, a project valued at $40,000 works out to about $510. The City confirms the valuation it uses.

Once the permit is issued, the City inspects the work at set stages before it is covered up. Ask the City which inspections apply to your permit and how to book them, and do not close in walls before an inspection passes.

There is a practical reason to permit the work beyond compliance. Unpermitted additions can raise questions when you sell, and getting work approved after the fact can mean opening finished walls for inspection.

If the bump-out would push into a required setback, you would need a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment first. The urban application fee as of January 1, 2026 is $3,759; ask the City for current timelines. Contractors who handle additions regularly can coordinate drawings and inspections, and you can compare quotes from them in the Ottawa Construction Network directory.

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