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Detached garage building permits in Ottawa, Ontario
Planning a detached garage in Ottawa? Here is what the City of Ottawa says about building permits for accessory buildings like garages, with links to the official pages.
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Do you need a permit?
- Building an accessory building (for example a detached garage), including prefabricated buildings, with an area greater than 10 m² (108 ft²) requires a building permit. City of Ottawa
- A one-storey detached storage shed of 15 m² or less, ancillary to the house and without plumbing, does not need a permit. City of Ottawa
What plans the City asks for
- Two complete sets of legible plans drawn to a conventional scale, with the permit application form. Ottawa accessory building checklist
- Site plan: lot lines with dimensions, the garage location dimensioned to other buildings and lot lines, any grade changes, lot area, main building area, the garage's area, and the address.
- Foundation plan: footings and foundation walls or slab on grade.
- Floor plan: walls, window and door locations and sizes including lintels, and roof construction (beam, rafter, joist or truss size, spacing and direction).
- Elevations of all four sides, showing windows, doors and exterior finish.
- Cross section: foundation, floor, walls including stud height, roof pitch and height from grade to the roof peak.
- A manufacturer's truss layout may be required, and a joist layout is required when pre-engineered joists are used.
Setbacks, height and lot coverage
The City says a Development Information Officer (DIO) can advise on zoning rules for your garage, such as setbacks to property lines, building height and lot coverage: 613-580-2424 ext. 23434 or dioinquiry@ottawa.ca. Ottawa checklist
Inspections
- Post the permit where it can be seen on site, keep the approved plans on site, and book inspections 48 hours ahead. City of Ottawa
How to apply
- Submit the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, the fee, and your plans. See the City's detached garages page for current submission options. City of Ottawa
Draw your plan first. Garage Planner lets you set the size, doors, windows and roof of your detached garage and print a scaled draft drawing to bring to your permit application.
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Sources
Facts on this page are from the City of Ottawa pages listed above, checked November 4, 2026.