What will the permit fee be on a $15,000 Ottawa deck?

The City of Ottawa's permit fee for a $15,000 deck works out to $191.25, based on the "all other construction" rate of $12.75 per $1,000 or part thereof of assessed valuation, with a minimum fee of $117.00. That rate applies to the total value of all materials, labour, overhead and professional fees combined.

The City values the work, not us or your builder, so treat $191.25 as an illustration of the formula: the valuation is based on the total value of all materials, labour, overhead and professional fees for the project.

A few things can affect whether a permit is needed at all, and therefore whether this fee applies. The City of Ottawa requires a permit when a deck is attached to or adjacent to the house and its walking surface is more than 600 mm (24 in.) above the adjacent grade, regardless of size. A permit is also required for an elevated deck that provides principal access to the building, regardless of height. A freestanding deck in the middle of the yard needs a permit only when it is both more than 10 square metres (approximately 108 square feet) in area and more than 600 mm above grade. A deck under 600 mm that is not a main entrance may not need a permit, though the City notes that exempt projects must still comply with the Ontario Building Code and any applicable zoning by-law, and that heritage properties are not subject to the exemptions.

If a permit is required, the application goes through the My ServiceOttawa portal and payment accompanies the application. The City lists a first review of 5 business days. The application needs a completed digital form, scaled and fully dimensioned drawings, and a Schedule 1 naming who is taking design responsibility, which can be the homeowner for their own house under the Building Code's homeowner exemption. If the decking material is anything other than conventional lumber, a CCMC or BMEC material testing report is also required.

If any footing holes need to be dug for this deck, a locate request through Ontario One Call is required before any digging starts; it is free and the law requires it at least 5 business days before work begins.

Before you move forward, confirm with the City's Building Code Services whether your specific deck triggers the permit requirement, so you know exactly what the application needs to include.