Does a replacement deck in Orleans need new drawings?

Whether a replacement deck in Orleans needs new drawings depends on whether the new deck triggers a building permit. If it does, the City of Ottawa requires a complete set of scaled, fully dimensioned drawings submitted through the My ServiceOttawa portal, even if a deck previously stood in the same spot.

The City's permit rules apply to the new structure, not the old one. A deck attached to the house with a walking surface more than 600 mm (24 in.) above adjacent grade needs a permit regardless of size. An elevated deck that is the principal access to the house needs a permit regardless of size. A freestanding deck needs a permit only if it is both more than 600 mm above grade and greater than 10 square metres (approximately 108 square feet) in area. If the replacement deck meets any of those triggers, the City asks for a site plan, a foundation and framing plan, and elevations, all scaled and fully dimensioned.

What the drawings must show includes the deck dimensioned to the property lines and any other buildings, the footing or foundation type and location, the size and spacing of joists and beams, the deck-to-house connection if there is one, stair construction and location, guard heights, and the dimension from the walking surface to adjacent grade. Schedule 1 must name a BCIN designer, an architect, an engineer, or the homeowner taking design responsibility under the homeowner exemption. If the decking material is anything other than conventional lumber, the application also needs a material testing report, either CCMC or BMEC. Published permit drawing fees from Ottawa and Ontario drafting firms run about $399 to $2,500 per set.

Zoning is a separate question. For applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and By-law 2026-50 apply in Orleans, with the most restrictive provisions from each by-law governing the outcome. Setbacks, yard projections and soft-landscaping rules all apply to the replacement deck. Some provisions of 2026-50 are still under appeal, including rear yard setbacks in some Neighbourhood subzones. Confirming the current rules for your specific lot with the City before finalising the design is worth doing.

Three City inspections are tied to the permit: an excavation and foundations inspection before backfill if new in-situ piers or pads are poured, a framing inspection once structural framing and guards are complete, and a final inspection at completion. The City says to book inspections 48 hours in advance. Before any footing holes are dug, a locate request through Ontario One Call is required by law, at no charge, with at least five business days' notice.

If the replacement deck sits entirely below 600 mm above grade, is not the principal access, and is freestanding, it may not need a permit. The City notes that even exempt projects must still comply with the Ontario Building Code and the Zoning By-law, and that heritage properties are not subject to the exemptions. Whether replacing deck boards only on existing framing needs a permit is not addressed on the City's Decks page: ask the City's Building Code Services directly.

When you have two written quotes in hand, put the foundation type and depth, the board material and grade, the guard and stair specifications, and the removal and disposal of the old deck side by side to see what each price actually covers.