How much does a pressure-treated deck cost per square foot in Ottawa?

Published Ottawa and Ontario builder prices for a pressure-treated deck run about $25 to $65 per square foot, installed. The spread is wide, so read what each quote covers.

What moves a quote up or down within that range includes the height of the deck above grade, whether it is attached to the house or freestanding, the foundation type, the number of stairs and landings, the guard style, whether an old deck needs to come out first, and whether permit drawings are included. Some published packages exclude railings and steps, so it is worth confirming exactly what a quote covers before comparing numbers.

A few Ottawa rules affect the final cost. If the walking surface is more than 600 mm (24 in.) above adjacent grade and the deck is attached to or adjacent to the house, a building permit is required. A permit is also required for an elevated deck that provides principal access to the building. The City of Ottawa's permit fee is $12.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of the work, with a minimum of $117.00; as an illustration of the formula, a $15,000 deck works out to $191.25. Permit drawings, where needed, run about $399 to $2,500 per set on the published prices of three drafting and design firms. The City requires three inspections: excavation and foundations, framing, and final. The homeowner or builder books each one at least 48 hours in advance.

Zoning also shapes what can be built and where. Building permit applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026 must comply with both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50, with the most restrictive provisions of both applying. Setbacks and yard projections depend on the specific lot, so confirming the rules for your property with the City is the right step before finalising a design.

Before any footing holes are dug, a locate request must be submitted through Ontario One Call at least five business days in advance. Under the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, anyone who digs is required to do this, and the locate is free.

You can request quotes from local deck builders through the form on this page; they are listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory.

Before signing, ask whether the quote includes the permit application, all three City inspections, and the drawings, or whether those are billed separately.