Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-75)

In this part you will find provisions that apply to all land uses (e.g. adequate municipal services, frontage
on a public street) or to lands located in identified areas in specific situations (e.g. heritage areas, flood
plain districts).

The City of Ottawa Zoning By-law is made available on the web site for information, however confirmation
on the zoning provisions should be sought through the City’s development information officers (DIO), by
contacting 311 and asking for the DIO for the geographic area in question.

Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures (Section 55)

55. (1) An accessory use is permitted in any zone if:

(a) it is on the same lot as the principal use to which it is accessory; and
(b) it exists to aid and contribute to the principal use to carry out the function of that
principal use.
(2) Except in the case of the MD zone, no person shall, where an accessory use is in a
different building than the principal use to which it is accessory, use that accessory building
(By-law 2009-164)
(a) for human habitation; and
(b) in non-compliance with the provisions set out in Table 55.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the determination of whether or not a use is an accessory
use or an ancillary use to a principal use should be made by referencing the definitions of
accessory, accessory building, accessory structure, accessory use and ancillary use. It
should be noted that a building is a land use, be it a principal use, an accessory use or an
ancillary use.
(4) This Section does not apply to satellite dishes or tower antennas in residential zones either
of which could be by definition an accessory structure, refer to section 91(4) regarding the
City’s Municipal Concurrence and Public Consultation Process for Antenna Systems. (By-
law 2016-131)
(5) A additional dwelling unit is not considered to be an accessory use and it is regulated by
Section 133.
(6) A coach house is not considered to be an accessory use and any building containing a
coach house is regulated by Section 142, and not this section. (By-law 2016-356)
(7) Subsection 138(1), which deems a 0 m setback between two vertically-attached units,
applies. (By-law 2010-307)
(8) This Section does not apply to Hydronic Heaters, which are by definition an accessory
structure, as they are regulated by Section 83 – Hydronic Heaters. (By-law 2012-344)
(9) Despite Table 55, buildings formerly used as part of an agricultural use and remaining on a
lot created for residential purposes as part of a surplus farm severance are permitted as
accessory to a residential use provided they comply with Subsections (1) and (2). (By-law
2017-302)
(10) An unmodified shipping container is a prohibited accessory building, except as a temporary
use subject to Section 71, in the following zones: R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 zones. (By-law
2019-410) (By-law 2021-218)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-1

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
TABLE 55 – PROVISIONS FOR ACCESSORY USES, BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES-

(By-law 2009-164) (By-law 2013-224) (By-law 2020-289)

I Provisions
Zoning Mechanism
II III IV
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, AG, EP, ME, MR, RC, RG, RH, All Other zones
V1, V2 and V3 Zones RI, RM, RR and RU Zones (By-
(By-law 2010-123) law 2010-123)
(1) Minimum Required Setback Same as required for principal building. (By-law 2008-326)
from a Front Lot Line (By-law 2008-462)
(2) Minimum Required Setback
from a Corner Side Lot Line or
a Rear Lot Line abutting a
street
(a for a garage, carport or Same as minimum corner side yard setback
) temporary car shelter with
direct vehicular access
from that street
(b other cases 1.2 m Same as minimum corner side yard or rear 0m
) yard setback respectively
(3) Minimum Required Setback
from an Interior Side Lot Line
or Rear Lot Line not abutting a
street
(a For a marine facility where 0m
) it abuts a watercourse
(b For shared garages or 0 m from the common side lot line
) carports erected on a
common side lot line
(c For children’s play (i) Abutting a residential zone: A distance equal to the (i) Abutting a residential
) structures and for walkable a distance equal to the height of the structure zone: a distance
decking serving an above- height of the structure equal to the height of
ground swimming pool or the structure
hot tub (note: for the
purposes of this provision, (ii) Not abutting a residential (ii) Not abutting a
the height of a play zone - 0.6 m residential zone: 0.6
structure means the m
highest point designed for
a child to safely stand,
sit or climb and this
provision does not apply to
walkable surfaces serving
a hot tub where the hot tub
is placed on top of the
surface) (By-law 2013-
359) (By-law 2017-302)
(d For above ground pools or 0.6m 0.6m 0.6m
) hot tubs not equipped with
walkable decking and not
contained within a building
(By-law 2013-359)
(e Other accessory buildings (i) In a front or interior side (i) In a front, interior (i) Abutting a residential
) or structures, or situations yard or corner side yard - side or corner zone: 0.6 m
not otherwise specified same as principal building side yard - same
above (By-law 2013-359) (By-law 2018-155) as principal
building

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-2

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 I Provisions
Zoning Mechanism
II III IV
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, AG, EP, ME, MR, RC, RG, RH, All Other zones
V1, V2 and V3 Zones RI, RM, RR and RU Zones (By-
(By-law 2010-123) law 2010-123)
(ii) In a rear yard - 0.6 m (ii) In a rear yard – 1 (ii) Not abutting a
m residential zone - 0 m
(4) Minimum Required Distance 1.2 m 0m
from Any Other Building
Located on the same lot,
except for a hot tub
(5) Maximum Permitted Height -R1, R2, (a) AG, RU Zones - 6m
(see also Section 64) R3, R4 12 m
and R5 (By-law 2009-
Zones : 164)
3.6 m, with
the height (b) RU1 to RU4
of the subzones and
exterior all other zones –
walls not to 6m
exceed 3.2
m
-V1, V2
and V3
Zones; 4.5
m
(By-law
2016-351)
(6) Maximum Permitted Size Aggregate (a) In an EP zone, if No restriction
of all accessory to
accessory residential use,
buildings aggregate of all
not to accessory
exceed a buildings not to
lot exceed 55m2 or if
coverage accessory to
of 50% of other uses,
the yard in aggregate of all
which they accessory
are buildings not to
located, exceed 150m2.
with a (By-law 2009-
maximum 164)
cumulative
floor area (b) In an RM zone:
of 55 m2
as
measured
from the
exterior
walls of the
building
(By-law
2009-302)
(i) A maximum
of 10 m2 is
permitted for
a maximum
of one
accessory
building
associated
with a mobile
home site;
and

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-3

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 I Provisions
Zoning Mechanism
II III IV
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, AG, EP, ME, MR, RC, RG, RH, All Other zones
V1, V2 and V3 Zones RI, RM, RR and RU Zones (By-
(By-law 2010-123) law 2010-123)
(ii) A maximum
cumulative
total gross
floor area of
300 m 2 may
be used for
accessory
buildings or
structures
whose sole
purpose is to
provide
space for
tools,
equipment,
materials
and similar
items, or for
accessory
uses needed
to maintain
the mobile
home park;
and must not
be used for
storage for
individual
mobile home
sites, nor for
commercial
storage. (By-
law 2010-
123)
( c) In all other
column III zones,
aggregate of all
accessory
buildings not to
exceed 5% of the
total lot area or
150m2 whichever
is the greater (By-
law 2009-164)
(By-law 2010-
123)
(6a) Maximum Size and Height of a In the R1-R4
Landing to an Above-Ground Zones in Area A
Pool (By-law 2020-289) of Schedule
342, as tall as
needed to
access the pool
but only for a
maximum area
of 2.3 m2 (By-
law 2020-289)
(7) Maximum Number of 2 No restriction
Accessory Buildings Permitted
on a lot

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-4

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 I Provisions
Zoning Mechanism
II III IV
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, AG, EP, ME, MR, RC, RG, RH, All Other zones
V1, V2 and V3 Zones RI, RM, RR and RU Zones (By-
(By-law 2010-123) law 2010-123)
(8) Rooftop landscaped areas, In the case of a dwelling of four storeys or less, and any part of an apartment, mid-rise and
gardens and apartment, high-rise that is four storeys or less:
terraces

(a) (i) Where located on the roof of the uppermost storey: minimum
1.5 m from any exterior wall of the building.
(ii) Where a roof-top terrace is not located on the roof of the
uppermost storey and meets or exceeds an area equivalent
to 25 per cent of the gross floor area of the storey it is adjacent
to and most equal to in height: minimum 1.5 m from any
exterior wall of the building.

(b) Where a roof-top terrace is not located on the roof of the uppermost storey, and
not exceeding an area equivalent to 25 per cent of the gross floor area of the
storey it is adjacent to and most equal to in height, no setback is required.
(c) Where such roof-top terrace is adjacent to a rear yard and within 1.5 m of an
exterior side wall or interior side lot line, a 1.5 m high opaque screen is to be
provided facing the interior side yard or interior side lot line.
(d) A roof-top access associated with a detached, linked detached, semi-detached,
long semi- detached, three unit and townhouse dwelling where it projects above
the permitted height must:
(i) be setback a distance equal to its height from the exterior front wall and exterior
rear wall,
(ii) not exceed a total area of 10.5 m2,
(iii) not have eaves that project more than 0.6 m beyond the exterior walls of the
access, and not exceed 3 m in height.
(e) Where an elevator is proposed to provide access to a rooftop terrace and projects
above the required height limit in a detached, linked detached, semi-detached,
long semi-detached, three unit or townhouse dwelling unit, the maximum area
needed for the rooftop access may be larger than required under (d) (ii) to allow for
the proper functioning of the elevator including the minimum landing area
necessary to provide proper egress between the elevator and the rooftop terrace,
and an elevator landing may be sized as necessary to provide reasonable access
to a provided elevator, with a clear interior area of 1.5m2. (By-law 2020-289)(By-
law 2022-103)

Adequate Urban, Suburban and Rural Services (Section 56)

56. (1) No land can be used or the intensity of any use of land expanded or any building placed,
erected, altered, enlarged, or used within of the City of Ottawa unless the land is serviced
by municipal water, sewerage and drainage systems that have adequate capacity.(By-law
2010-307)
(2) Despite subsection (1) above, where municipal water, sewerage or drainage systems are
not available, private services approved by the City of Ottawa or its delegate are
permitted.
(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2) above, lands subject to unique servicing constraints or
restricted connection privileges through separate municipal by-laws and through legal and
servicing agreements with the City of Ottawa are considered to be in conformity with this
By-law.

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-5

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (4) Despite subsection (2), with the exception of wells that are required for environmental site
assessment purposes as per Ontario Regulation 153/04 (Environmental Protection Act),
on any land shown in Area A on Schedule 183 the following are prohibited:
(a) drilling of a new groundwater well;
(b) drilling to make an existing groundwater well any deeper; and
(c) the installation of a groundwater heat pump, except as approved by the City of
Ottawa.

Corner Sight Triangles (Section 57)

57. (1) For any detached, linked-detached, duplex, semi-detached or three unit dwelling located on
a corner lot, no obstruction to the vision of motor vehicle operators higher than 0.75 metres
above grade including but not limited to buildings, structures or vegetation is permitted
within the triangle formed by that part of the lot lines measured along each street from the
intersection of those lines at the street corner, or the projection of those lines, for the
distance of 6 metres, and a line drawn between those two lines to form the base of the
triangle.

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-6

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (2) For development other than that listed
in (1), the required corner sight
triangle will be determined through the
City’s Site Plan Control Approval
process.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)
and (2), an agricultural crop, chain link
fence or other similar feature that can
be seen through is not an obstruction.

Flood Plain Hazard Overlay (Section 58)

58. The following provisions take precedence over the provisions of the underlying zone. They apply to
land uses within an area affected by a flood plain overlay in order to restrict development in a
floodplain area to minimize the threat of injury or loss of life and prohibit land uses where
substances of a chemical, hazardous or toxic nature are used which could contaminate potential
flood waters; where flooding may compromise the ability to deliver essential services, or where
flooding may cause unacceptable risk of property damage.

General Provisions
(1) Despite the provisions of the underlying zone or other zoning provisions of the Zoning By-
law, development is prohibited within any area subject to a floodplain overlay.
(2) Despite Section (1), development may be permitted in an area subject to a floodplain
overlay as follows:
(a) for an addition to a building or structure for a use permitted in the underlying zone
which does not exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the gross floor area of
the building or 20 metres square whichever is less;
(b) for an accessory building or structure to a use permitted in the underlying zone
which does not exceed a gross floor area of 50 square metres and a height of one
storey;

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-7

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (c) for a change of use from one permitted use to another;
(d) to permit the following uses whether or not they are listed as permitted uses in the
underlying zone:
(i) marine facility
(ii) utility installation which requires approval under the Environmental
Assessment Act, or
(e) for an additional dwelling unit that is neither partially nor fully located below grade.
(3) Despite the uses permitted in the underlying zone, and despite Section (2), the following
uses are not permitted in a flood plain overlay:
(a) airport
(b) automobile body shop
(c) automobile dealership
(d) automobile service station
(e) bus terminal
(f) cemetery
(g) crematorium
(h) daycare
(i) dry cleaning plant
(j) emergency service
(k) funeral home
(l) gas bar
(m) group home
(n) heavy equipment and vehicle servicing
(o) heavy industrial use
(p) home-based daycare
(q) hospital
(r) light industrial use limited to a machine shop, welding shop, landscaping business,
waste recycling depot, snow ploughing and excavation service, food and dairy
products industry, poultry products industry, bakery, fish hatchery, grain drying
facility and pharmaceutical plant
(s) mineral extraction operation
(t) research and development centre
(u) residential care facility
(v) retail store limited to the sale of fertilizer
(w) retirement home
(x) retirement home, converted

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-8

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (y) school
(z) snow disposal facility
(aa) solid waste disposal facility
(ab) storage yard or warehouse, limited to an automobile wrecking yard or recycling
operation, contractor’s yard or shop, storage of tires or road salt, salvage yard or
scrap yard, fuel storage tank, farm fuel storage or supply facility, bulk storage of
cleaning products, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or other hazardous
substances
(ac) train terminal
(ad) truck terminal
(ae) utility installation not requiring approval under the Environmental Assessment Act,
and including an electrical substation and a storm water management facility
(af) waste processing and transfer facility
(ag) coach house (By-law 2016-356)

Area-Specific Provisions
Village of Constance Bay, Armitage Avenue, Baskins Beach, Windsor Park, Brewer Park,
Old Ottawa South (Linda Thom and Windsor Parks) and Kingsview Park Areas (By-law
2014-274) (By-law 2014-377)
(4) Despite subsections (1) and (2), development other than an additiional dwelling unit may be
permitted in those areas within a floodplain overlay which is identified with Area Specific
Provisions, provided: (By-law 2016-356)
(a) it is carried out in accordance with flood proofing standards, protection works
standards, and access standards of the City and the appropriate Conservation
Authority, and
(b) approval of the relevant Conservation Authority is obtained in accordance with the
Conservation Authorities Act.
NOTE: Development in a flood plain is regulated under the Conservation Authorities Act, and, in addition
to a building permit from the municipality under the Building Code Act, will require a permit from the
Conservation Authority or other authority having jurisdiction over the flood plain.

Frontage on a Public Street (Section 59)

59. (1) No person shall develop or otherwise use any lot unless that land abuts an improved public
street for a distance of at least 3.0 metres; and (By-law 2015-190) (By-law 2017-302)
(2) No person shall sever any land unless the land severed and the land retained each abut to
a street, in accordance with subsection (1). (By-law 2015-190)
(3) Where a severance involves more than two lots, subsection (1) applies with all necessary
modification to each lot involved.
(4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to a lot used for a marine facility, a utility
installation, urban agriculture, a cemetery, a forestry operation, a military training facility, a
park, an environmental preserve and education area, or an agricultural use excluding any
accessory dwelling unit. (By-law 2017-148)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2-9

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (5) Despite subsections (1), (2) and (3), the following are deemed to be improved public streets
for the purpose of this section:
(a) a parkway, or
(b) a private way within a planned unit development that complies with the planned
unit development provisions.

Heritage Overlay (Section 60)

60. Despite the provisions of the underlying zone, the following provisions apply to land uses within an
area affected by an heritage overlay, in order to encourage the retention of existing heritage
buildings by offering zoning incentives to reuse the buildings, and to limit the size and location of
additions to preserve the heritage character of the original building:
General Provisions
(1) Where a building in an area to which an heritage overlay applies is removed or destroyed it
must be rebuilt with the same character and at the same scale, massing, volume, floor area
and in the same location as existed prior to its removal or destruction. (By-law 2014-289)
(By-law 2015-281)
(2) In Areas A or B on Schedule 1, Subsection (1) does not apply to the use of a lot that was
vacant prior to April 19, 1978 and, instead, the provisions of the underlying zone apply to the
use of that vacant lot.
Additions
(3) Despite the provisions of the underlying zone, an addition to a building in an area to which
an heritage overlay applies is permitted only if:
(a) the height of the walls and the height and slope of the roof of the addition do not
exceed those of the building;
(b) In Areas A, B and C on Schedule 1,
(i) the side yard setback of the addition is at least 60 cm. greater than that of
the wall of the building located closest to the side lot line, except in the
case of shared lot lines between dwelling units that are permitted to be
vertically attached where the required side yard setback is 0 metres, (By-
law 2015-190)
(ii) it is located entirely within the rear yard, or in the interior yard abutting the
rear yard and complies with the rear yard setback of the underlying zone,
except where the building has a non-complying rear yard setback the
addition may be built to that rear yard setback, but in no case may be less
than 3.0 metres; and
(c) it is not located within a front yard. (By-law 2014-289)
(4) Despite Section 65, projections are not permitted into the front, corner side yard or side yard
in an area to which an heritage overlay applies, except in the case of:
(a) a ramp used for handicap access as long as that ramp does not exceed the
minimal dimensions mentioned in the Building Code for a ramp in a barrier-free
path of travel; or
(b) the use of a lot in Areas A (Central Area) or B (Inner City) on Schedule 1 that
was vacant prior to April 19, 1978.

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 10

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
Parking
(5) (a) Despite the provisions of Section 101 (Minimum Parking Space Rates), parking is not
required for any use within a building:
(i) that is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O.1990; or
(ii) that is classified as Category 1 or 2 in the City of Ottawa Heritage Reference
List, in an area to which an heritage overlay applies.
(b) Subsection (5)(a) does not apply to a use created in an addition to a Category 1 or 2
building, and parking for any use located within such an addition must be provided in
accordance with the provisions of Section 101.
(c) Nothing in this subsection applies so as to permit the elimination of a parking space
required on the day prior to the enactment of this by-law except for the exemption provided
in subsections 100(7) and 100(10). (By-law 2009-302)
(6) A parking lot is prohibited in a front yard or corner side yard abutting a street in an area to
which an heritage overlay applies.
(7) A parking garage in an area to which an heritage overlay applies must be setback from a
front or corner side lot line a minimum of:
(a) the same distance as the building to which it is an addition; or
(b) the equivalent of the setback required for the underlying zone, whichever is
greater.

Holding Zones – Additions (Section 61)

61. (1) Subject to subsection (2), additions to existing buildings and the construction of accessory
buildings are permitted on a lot that is subject to a holding zone provision.
(2) The cumulative total gross floor area of additions and accessory buildings, mentioned in
subsection (1), must not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the existing building.

Minimum Distance Separation (Section 62)

62. (1) The development of new livestock operations or the expansion of existing livestock operations
must comply with the minimum distance separation formulae of the Province of Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The minimum distance separation is applied between a
livestock operation and another land use in order to minimize the impact of odours emanating
from the livestock facility.
(2) New development in proximity to existing livestock operations must also comply with the
minimum distance separation formulae.
(3) Despite subsection (2), development is permitted for one detached dwelling on a vacant lot
in existence as of the date of adoption of this by-law provided that the dwelling is located the
furthest distance possible from the livestock operation and that the applicable zones setback
provisions are complied with.

Part-Lot Control (Section 63)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 11

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
63. (1) Lands shown as a lot on a plan for which application has been made for approval under
subsection 50(7) of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990, as amended are deemed to be a lot for the
purposes of the issuance of a building permit for a detached dwelling, linked detached
dwelling or a semi-detached dwelling.
(2) The exemption provided in subsection (1) does not apply to lands that are conveyed under the
authority of an approval granted under subsection 50(7) of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990 as
amended.

Permitted Projections Above the Height Limit (Section 64)

64. Except in the case of buildings or structures located within the area shown on Schedules 11 to 88
(Central Area Height Schedules), the maximum height limits do not apply to the structures listed
below or to any other similar structures that may require a height in excess of maximum height
limits in order to serve their intended purpose, unless otherwise specified in the by-law and
provided these structures are erected only to such height or area as is necessary to accomplish
the purpose they are to serve and that is necessary to operate effectively and safely: (By-law
2013-224) (By-law 2015-342)
barn, silo, or other farm-related buildings or structures
bridge
chimney or smokestack
clock tower, church spire, steeple or belfry
construction equipment during the construction process
mechanical and service equipment penthouse, elevator or stairway penthouses (By-law 2014-94)
flag pole
communication transmission and distribution towers forming part or all of a utility installation (By-
law 2013-224)
landscaped areas, roof-top gardens and terraces and associated safety guards and access
structures; pursuant to Table 55, Row (8) (By-law 2020-289)
ornamental dome, skylight, cupola or parapet
solar panels (By-law 2019-410)
utility poles
water tower
Despite the above, in the R1, R2, R3, and R4 zones located within Schedule 342, a parapet may
project no more than 0.3 m above the maximum building height. (By-law 2020-289)

Permitted Projections Into Required Yards (Section 65)

(By-law 2020-289)

65. (1) Despite any other provision to the contrary, the following features and other similar features
are permitted to project from a principal building or a building containing a coach house into a
required or provided yard, whichever yard is lesser, in accordance with Table 65. Where no
yard setback is specified, the provisions of Table 65 do not apply. This section does not apply
to: (By-law 2016-356) (By-law 2020-289)
(a) accessory buildings which are regulated by Section 55, except as set out in row (9) of
Table 65. (By-law 2008-386)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 12

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (b) development parcels within the interior of a planned unit development that are not
adjacent to a required yard;
(c) required separation areas between development parcels in a planned unit development,
or
(d) the projection of any structure listed in Table 65, row (6) into the minimum required
setback from watercourses or waterbodies (Section 69).
(e) subsection 138(1), which deems a 0 m setback between two vertically-attached units,
applies. (By-law 2010-307)
(f) In the case where the minimum required building setback from a lot line is less than the
minimum setback outlined in Table 65 below, the minimum required building setback
prevails. (By-law 2020-299)
(2) An at-grade projection must not project into the minimum aggregated soft landscaped area
required in the front yard and in the corner side yard pursuant to Section 139, on lots zoned
R1, R2, R3 and R4 within Area A of Schedule 342. (By-law 2020-289)

Table 65 - Permitted Projections into Required Yards (By-law 2020-289)

I Maximum Size and Extent of Projection
Feature
II III
For Residential Use Buildings For All Other Buildings

(1) Chimney, chimney box and 1 m, but not closer than 0.6 m 2 m, but not closer than 0.6 m to a
fireplace box to a lot line lot line

(2) Eaves, eave-troughs and 1 m, but not closer than 0.3 m 2 m, but not closer than 0.3 m to a
gutters to a lot line lot line

(3) Ornamental elements such as 0.6 m, but not closer than 0.6 m 1.2 m, but not closer than 0.6 m to
sills, belt courses, cornices, to a lot line a lot line
parapets and pilasters

(4) Canopies and awnings (a) Residential use buildings other than low-rise apartment dwellings
and mid-high rise apartment dwellings: -1.8 m, but not closer than 0.6
m to a lot line

(b) All other buildings including a low-rise apartment dwelling and

mid-high-rise apartment dwelling:

i) a distance equal to ½ the depth of a front, rear or corner side

yard but not closer than 0.6 m to a lot line, and

ii) 1.8 m into an interior side yard, but not closer than 0.6 m to a
side lot line

(5) Fire escapes, open stairways, (a) Wheelchair ramps - no limit

stoop, landing, steps and ramps
(b) Other features:

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 13

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 I Maximum Size and Extent of Projection
Feature
II III
For Residential Use Buildings For All Other Buildings

i) where at or below the floor level of the first floor:

1. in the case of the interior side yard or rear yard: no limit,
and
2. in the case of the front yard or corner side yard: no closer
than 0.6m to a lot line, and

ii) other cases:

1. In the case of any yard: 1.5 m, but not closer than 1 m to a
lot line; except that, switchback stairs and landings may
project 2.2 m into the rear yard where these are intended to
provide a means of egress for dwelling units located on the
second and higher storeys. (By-law 2020-289)

(6) Covered or uncovered a) uncovered, unenclosed features such as decks or platforms where
balcony, porch, deck, platform the walking surface is not higher than 0.6 m above adjacent grade :
and verandah, with a maximum (i) in the interior side yard and rear yard: no limit
of two enclosed sides, excluding (ii) in the front yard and corner side yard – the greater of 2m or 50%
those covered by canopies and of the required front yard or corner side yard, but no closer than 1m
awnings to a property line; and (By-law 2008-462) (By-law 2014-278)

(b) In the R1, R2, R3 and R4 Zones within Area A of Schedule 342:
(i) (6)(a) applies, and
(ii) On a lot with a depth of between 23.5m and 30.5 m, where the
rear lot line abuts an R1, R2, R3 or R4 zone, the maximum projection
is:
1. 1.2 m above the first floor.
(iii) Where a lot has a depth of 23.5 m or less, the maximum
projection is 0 m above the first floor;
(iv) in all other cases, the maximum projection is 2 m, but no closer
than 1 m from any lot line.
(iv) Where a deck or balcony occurs above the first floor and is
within 1.5 metres of an exterior side wall or interior side lot line of a
residential-zoned lot, a 1.5 metre high opaque screen is to be
provided facing the interior side lot line. (By-law 2020-289) (By-law
2021-111)

(c) In all other cases: 2 metres, but no closer than 1 metre from any
lot line. (By-law 2020-289)

(7) Bay window where window 1 m, but not closer than 1.2 m No restriction
faces a lot line from a lot line

(8) Air conditioner condenser, 1 m, but not closer to a lot line (a) In a yard abutting a residential
heat pump or similar equipment than 0.3 m, and may not be use - 1 m, but not closer to a lot
(By-law 2013-224) located in a front yard or a line than 0.3 m
corner side yard (b) Other cases - no restriction

(9) A carport that exists on or A carport that existed on or

before October 8, 2008 before October 8, 2008
(By-law 2008-386) complies if:

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 14

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 I Maximum Size and Extent of Projection
Feature
II III
For Residential Use Buildings For All Other Buildings

(a) it is attached to the house to

which it is accessory;

(b) it is entirely open on at least

two sides;

(c) it is built over the driveway;

(d) it is not in:

i) a required front yard

ii) a required side yard

abutting a street, or

iii) that area of the rear

yard abutting a street that
is equal distance from the
side lot line abutting the
street as the required
corner side yard.

Provisions for the Handling and Transfer of Propane and Natural Gas
(Section 66)

66. (1) Facilities relating to the handling and transfer of propane and natural gas, including tanks and
associated compressors, pumps and other similar facilities must not be located in any
required front, side, corner side or rear yard, nor closer than 30 metres to any lot line abutting
a residentia l zone.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the minimum of 30 metres may be reduced to a minimum of 6 metres
where it can be demonstrated that appropriate noise abatement measures have been
undertaken to ensure that noise levels at the boundary of the residential zone do not create a
nuisance for uses in that abutting residential zone.

Residential Use Building Setback From Mineral Aggregate Zones

(Section 67)

67. Despite any other provisions to the contrary, in the AG, EP3, and RU zones no new building
consisting of a dwelling, dwelling units or rooming units may be constructed any closer than:
(a) 150 metres to an ME2 or ME3 - Mineral Extraction Pit Only subzones, or an MR - Mineral
Aggregate Reserve zone boundary, or
(b) 210 metres to an ME zone.

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 15

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 The purpose of these setbacks is to help ensure that new dwelling units are not located in close
proximity to an existing or future noise or vibration-generating use such as a mineral extraction
operation.

Setbacks From Railway Rights-of-Way in Rural Zones (Section 68)

68. In Rural Zones,

(1) No obstruction to the vision of motor vehicle
operators higher than one metre above grade
including but not limited to buildings, structures,
parking, storage or vegetation is permitted on
any lot abutting an at-grade intersection of a
street and a railway track within the triangle
formed by connecting to a point 45 metres from
the intersection of the centerline of the street
and the centerline of the railway right-of-way
(see illustration).

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an agricultural crop, chain link fence or other similar
feature that can be seen through is not an obstruction.
(3) No building within 30m of a railway right-of-way is to be used for a residential use building,
day care or school.

Setback from Watercourses and Waterbodies (Section 69)

69.
(1) Subject to subsection (3), despite the provisions of the underlying zone, the minimum
setbacks set forth in subsection (2) must be provided to provide a margin of safety from
hazards associated with flooding and unstable slopes and to help protect the
environmental quality of watercourses and waterbodies.
(2) Except for flood or erosion control works, or a public bridge or a marine facility, no building
or structure, including any part of a sewage system, which does not require plan of
subdivision, or site plan control approval, shall be located closer than:
(a) 30 m to the normal highwater mark of any watercourse or waterbody, or
(b) 15 m to the top of the bank of any watercourse or waterbody,
whichever is the greater.
(3) Development requiring a plan of subdivision or that is subject to site plan control must
provide the watercourse or waterbody setbacks set forth in subsection (2) unless, as
established through conditions of approval, a different setback is determined to be
appropriate in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Official Plan. (By-law 2009-347)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 16

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
Protection of Airport Operations (Section 70)

70. (1) The Airport Operating Influence Zone (AOIZ) and the Airport Vicinity Development
Zone (AVDZ) are defined planning areas based on the 2013 Noise Exposure Forecast
(NEF) and the 2023 Noise Exposure Projection (NEP) aircraft contours. These zones,
as shown on Schedule 6, apply development restrictions to protect lands uses and
activities from noise impacts emanating from the aircraft and airport operations and to
conversely protect airport operations from potential complaints arising from the
development of residential and noise sensitive uses too close to the airport. Policies
relating to these zones are detailed in Section 4.8.6 – Land-Use Constraints Due to
Airport and Aircraft Operations. The AVDZ also incorporates elements of the Ottawa
Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Zoning Regulations. (By-law 2020-299)
(2) Airport Zoning Regulations made pursuant to the Aeronautics Act (Canada) also apply
to private property in the vicinity of the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International
Airport. The regulations prevent lands adjacent to and in the vicinity of the airport
from being used or developed in a manner that is incompatible with the operation of
the airport or the safe operation of aircraft or causes interference with navigational
aids and communications. Constraints to development include obstacle limitations
surfaces, natural growth, bird hazards and interference with communications and
aeronautical facilities. Airport Zoning Regulations and the regulation of all matters of
aviation are administered by Transport Canada and will prevail in the event of a
conflict with the provisions of this by-law.
(3) Development in the vicinity of the Carp Airport, and Rockliffe Airport, must take into
consideration guidelines found in Transport Canada Document TP312E - Aerodrome
Standards and Recommended Practices. With respect to development in the vicinity
of the Carp Airport, runway 10-28 must be protected as a "4C CAT 1" Runway, and
runway 4-22 must be protected as a "1C NON-INSTR" Runway. (Subject to By-law
2017-236)

Temporary Uses, Buildings Or Structures During Construction or

Special Events (Section 71)

71. (1) Despite any provision to the contrary, the following temporary buildings, structures or
equipment are permitted in any zone, except an EP zone, during a period of construction or
special events. (By-law 2009-302)
(a) the use of land or the use or erection of a temporary building, structure or equipment
essential to the construction or special event in progress on that land; (By-law 2009-
302)
(b) a temporary office for the sale of residential lots or residential units, and
(c) in a rural zone, a mobile home as temporary accommodation for a period not to exceed
24 months while a permanent dwelling unit or oversize dwelling unit is being erected
on the same land. (By-law 2018-206)
(2) The minimum yard setback provisions of the applicable zone and the parking provisions do
not apply to these temporary buildings, structures or equipment.

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 17

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (3) These temporary buildings, structures or equipment may be located on the lands only until
such time as the work has been completed or abandoned or such buildings, structures or
equipment are no longer required.
(4) In the case of a temporary office for the sale of residential lots or residential units not situated
in a zone where offices are a permitted use, such office must not exceed the height limit
applicable to that zone.

Setback from the Trans Canada Pipeline (Section 72)

72. Despite any other provision to the contrary, buildings and structures must be set back from a
lot line abutting the O1O Subzone which contains the TransCanada Pipeline a minimum
distance of:
(1) for any principal building or structure, seven metres from a rear lot line; and
(2) for any building or structure, three metres from an interior side lot line.

Provisions for the May 2017 Flood Relief Overlay (Section 73)

73. The following provisions apply to lots subject to the provisions of Section 58 – Flood Plain Overlay
and Section 69 – Setbacks from Watercourses for buildings that are being reconstructed as a result
of flooding or buildings that are being relocated to a less flood-prone location that meets or is as
close as possible to the Setbacks specified in Section 69, and do not exceed the maximum
permitted size for additions specified in 73(2)-(4). (By-law 2019-409)
(1) despite the provisions of Section 58 and Section 69 and the yard setbacks and maximum
building height provisions of the underlying zone, reconstruction of a detached dwelling and
associated permitted projections and accessory buildings in existence as of May 1, 2017 is
permitted in accordance with the location and building envelope approved in permits issued by
the Conservation Authority;
(2) for buildings and structures subject to Section 58 (1), (2) and (3), the gross floor area of the
replacement detached dwelling, and associated permitted projections and accessory buildings
must not exceed the gross floor area of the buildings and the area of the permitted projections
in existence as of May 1, 2017;
(3) despite Section 73 (2), an addition to a building subject to Section 58 (1), (2) and (3) is
permitted subject to it not exceeding an amount equal to 20 per cent of the gross floor area of
the building or 20 metres square whichever is less;
(4) despite Section 73 (2), an accessory building or structure subject to Section 58 (1), (2) and
(3), or an addition to an accessory building or structure subject to Section 58 (1), (2) or (3), is
permitted subject to the accessory building or structure not exceeding a gross floor area of 50
square metres and a height of one storey;
(5) decks and other permitted projections associated with the replacement building are subject to
Section 65 – Permitted Projections into Required Yards, and Section 69 does not apply to the
deck or permitted projection;
(6) accessory buildings and structures are subject to Section 55 – Accessory Buildings and
Structures, and Section 69 does not apply to the accessory building or structure;
(7) a detached dwelling must be flood-proofed according to standards required by the
Conservation Authority; (By-law 2019-409)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 18

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation
 (8) despite Section 73(1) buildings and structures existing as of May 1, 2017 that are within the
Flood Relief Overlay that are not subject to Section 58 or Section 69 must comply with the
underlying zone provisions, except for the maximum building height provision when approval
of a permit from the Conservation Authority has been granted for the replacement building or
for repairs to the existing building; (By-law 2017-295) (By-law 2019-409)

Multiple Buildings (Section 74)

74. (1) Where buildings are connected only below grade, they are considered separate buildings for
the purposes of applying the provisions of the by-law.
(2) Except where a contrary intention is evident from the context, separation distances required
by this by-law between buildings do not apply to those portions of the building below grade.
(By-law 2017-302)
(3) Buildings connected above the ground floor by features such as pedways, bridges, or other
connections and that do not create additional gross floor area or gross leasable floor area
within these connections are not considered one building for the purposes of applying the
provisions of the by-law. (By-law 2019-410)

Temporary Provisions Related to COVID-19 (Section 75)

75. (1) Despite any provision in this By-law to the contrary, a school:
(a) Is permitted in:
(i) any Residential zone;
(ii) the AM, GM, LC, MC, MD, TD and TM zones;
(iii) the I1 and I2 zones;
(iv) the L1, L2, L3 and O1 zones; and
(v) the RC, RI, RR, RU, VM, V1, V2 and V3 zones.
(b) Is permitted notwithstanding any required yard, minimum required lot size, limits on size
or location of accessory buildings or structures, or minimum parking requirement.
(c) Except where a school is otherwise permitted by this by-law, any school permitted under
this subsection is permitted for a temporary period ending on July 1, 2021, and its
establishment under this section does not result in any nonconforming or noncomplying
use rights.
(d) Clauses (b) and (c) apply to any lot containing an existing permitted or legally
nonconforming school in any zone.
(2) This section is repealed on July 1, 2021. (By-law 2020-261)

Part 2 – General Provisions (Sections 55-72) 2 - 19

City of Ottawa Zoning By-law 2008-250 Consolidation