Elevation Drawings Explained: What They Show & Why You Need Them
🏠 Quick Answer
Elevation drawings are straight-on exterior views of a building from each side — front, rear, left, and right. They show building height, roof pitch and style, window and door positions, grade levels, cladding materials, and finished floor elevations. Ottawa Building Code Services uses elevation drawings to verify building height compliance with the zoning bylaw, calculate limiting distance to property lines (which determines fire-resistance ratings for exterior walls), and confirm the overall appearance and proportions of the building.
While floor plans show the inside of a building and site plans show where it sits on the lot, elevation drawings show what the building looks like from the outside. They are the drawings that communicate height, proportions, roof design, and exterior materials — all of which must comply with Ottawa’s zoning bylaw and the Ontario Building Code.
At Architectural Drawing, elevation drawings are part of every permit package we prepare for Ottawa homeowners. This guide explains what they include, why the City requires them, and which projects need them.
What Do Elevation Drawings Show?
A building elevation drawing is a flat, two-dimensional view of one face of the building, drawn as if you were standing directly in front of it at eye level. A complete set includes four views: front (street-facing), rear, left side, and right side. Here is what each elevation must include for an Ottawa building permit:
📐 Four Standard Views: Elevations are typically labelled by compass direction (north, south, east, west) or by their orientation to the street (front, rear, left side, right side). Not all four views are always required — if a side of the building is not affected by the proposed work, that elevation may be omitted. However, for new construction, all four elevations are needed.
Why the City Requires Elevation Drawings
Ottawa Building Code Services uses elevation drawings for three critical review purposes:
📏 Zoning Height Compliance
Ottawa’s zoning bylaw sets maximum building heights for each zone. The elevation drawing proves your building does not exceed this limit. Height is measured from the average grade at the building perimeter to the highest point of the roof.
🔥 Fire Code: Limiting Distance
The Ontario Building Code uses the distance from the building face to the property line (limiting distance) to determine how much window area is allowed on that face and whether the exterior wall needs a fire-resistance rating. Elevations show these distances clearly.
🏗️ Construction Verification
Contractors use approved elevations during construction to ensure the building matches the approved design — correct roof pitch, window placement, and material finishes. Building inspectors compare on-site work against these drawings.
🚨 Common Error — Limiting Distance: The limiting distance must be measured from the face of the cladding (not the foundation wall) to the property line. Projecting elements like bay windows, fireplace vents, and eave overhangs reduce the actual clearance further. Many permit applications are returned because the designer measured from the foundation only. Ottawa’s Building Code Services has issued a specific advisory on this — ensure your elevations clearly show the cladding face and all projections relative to the property line.
Need Elevation Drawings for Your Ottawa Permit?
We prepare accurate, fully dimensioned elevations as part of every permit drawing package — ensuring zoning compliance and correct limiting distance calculations.
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When Are Elevation Drawings Required?
Elevation drawings are required for any building permit application that alters the exterior appearance of the building. Here is how that applies to common Ottawa residential projects:
For a complete overview of all drawing types by project, see our types of architectural drawings guide. For projects that require permits, see what renovations need a building permit in Ottawa.
How Elevations Differ from Other Drawings
Each type of architectural drawing shows the building from a different perspective. Here is how elevation drawings compare to the other main drawing types in a permit package:
Think of it this way: the site plan shows the building from above, the floor plan shows the building from inside, the elevation shows the building from outside, and the cross-section shows the building sliced open. Together, they give the City a complete three-dimensional understanding of your project using two-dimensional drawings.
Elevations in Heritage Districts and Infill Projects
Elevation drawings take on additional importance in two common Ottawa scenarios:
Heritage Conservation Districts — in areas like the Glebe, Sandy Hill, Rockcliffe Park, and New Edinburgh, elevations are reviewed not just for building code compliance but for compatibility with the surrounding streetscape. Material choices, window proportions, roof style, and building mass must be sensitive to heritage character. Heritage approval may be required before a building permit can be issued.
Residential Infill Construction — new homes and large additions in established neighbourhoods must post a Residential Infill Construction Public Notice. Elevations are central to this process, as neighbours and the City assess the visual impact of the project on the street. Proper elevations showing thoughtful design can smooth the approval path.
For projects in these areas, investing in well-designed elevations is not just a permit requirement — it is a strategic decision that affects community acceptance and approval timelines. Learn more about permit timelines and permit fees in our dedicated guides. View our addition services and custom home design services for project-specific details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an elevation drawing in architecture?
An elevation drawing is a two-dimensional, straight-on view of one side of a building’s exterior. It shows the building as if you were standing directly in front of it at eye level, with no perspective distortion. Elevations communicate building height, roof form, window and door placement, cladding materials, and the relationship of the building to the surrounding grade.
How many elevation drawings do I need for a building permit?
For a new home, all four elevations (front, rear, left side, right side) are required. For renovations and additions, only the elevations of the sides affected by the work are typically needed. If a side of the building is not changed at all, that elevation can be omitted — but when in doubt, include it to avoid a deficiency notice.
Do I need elevation drawings for a basement renovation?
Only if the basement renovation involves changes to the exterior — such as enlarging window openings for egress, adding a walkout entrance, or creating a separate entrance for a secondary dwelling unit. If the renovation is entirely interior, elevations are typically not required.
What is limiting distance and why does it appear on elevations?
Limiting distance is the horizontal distance from a building’s exterior wall face to the property line (or to an imaginary line between buildings on the same lot). Under the Ontario Building Code, this distance determines how much window and door area (unprotected openings) is allowed on that wall face, and whether the wall itself needs a fire-resistance rating. The closer the building is to the property line, the more restrictions apply. Elevations must clearly show this dimension.
Do elevation drawings need to show colours and materials?
Elevations must identify exterior cladding materials (brick, siding type, stone, stucco, etc.) through annotation or material hatching. Specific colour choices are generally not required for building permits but may be required for heritage approvals or site plan control applications. For standard residential permits, material type notation is sufficient.
What scale should elevation drawings be drawn at?
Residential elevation drawings are typically drawn at 1:50 scale (the same as floor plans) or 1:100 for larger buildings. The City requires a conventional architectural scale — all dimensions must be legible and the drawing must fit on a standard sheet size. Details like window assemblies or eave conditions may be drawn at larger scales (1:5 or 1:10) as separate detail drawings.
Do I need elevation drawings for a shed or garage?
Yes, for any accessory building that requires a building permit (over 10 m²). The elevations must show height, roof pitch, door and window locations, and materials. For smaller structures, simplified elevations showing dimensions and height may be acceptable.
How are building height and number of storeys measured in Ottawa?
Under Ottawa’s zoning bylaw, building height is measured from the average finished grade at the building perimeter to the highest point of the roof. Flat roofs are measured to the top of the roof deck; sloped roofs are measured to the peak. The number of storeys counts above-grade levels — basements are generally not counted as a storey unless they project significantly above grade. The elevation drawing must clearly show this measurement with a dimensioned height line.
Can I use a 3D rendering instead of elevation drawings?
No. 3D renderings are useful for visualizing a project and presenting ideas to clients, but they cannot replace formal elevation drawings for a building permit. Elevations must be flat, two-dimensional orthographic views drawn to scale with accurate dimensions, material notations, and grade lines. 3D renderings can supplement the permit package for presentation purposes but are not accepted as a substitute.
How much do elevation drawings cost?
Elevation drawings are always prepared as part of a complete permit drawing package rather than as a standalone service. Package costs range from $1,000–$3,000 for simple renovations to $5,000–$15,000+ for new custom homes. For a detailed breakdown, visit our drawing costs guide.
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