Site Plan Drawings Ottawa: Requirements for Building Permits
📍 Quick Answer
Site plan drawings are a required component of virtually every building permit application in Ottawa. A site plan is a scaled, overhead view of your property showing the building footprint, property boundaries, setbacks to lot lines, driveways, existing and proposed structures, and utility locations. Ottawa Building Code Services uses the site plan to verify your project complies with the zoning bylaw — including setbacks, lot coverage, and building height — before any construction can begin.
Whether you are building a new home, adding an addition, constructing a deck, installing a pool, or putting up a shed, the City of Ottawa requires a site plan as part of your building permit application. It is one of the most common reasons permits are delayed — missing setback dimensions, unlabelled easements, or incomplete grading information can trigger a deficiency notice and push your timeline back by weeks.
At Architectural Drawing, we prepare site plan drawings for residential building permits across Ottawa. This guide explains exactly what the City requires, how site plans differ from floor plans, when a grading plan is also needed, and the most common mistakes that cause permit rejections.
Site Plan vs Floor Plan: What Is the Difference?
One of the most frequently searched questions about permit drawings is the difference between a site plan vs floor plan. While both are essential for building permits, they show completely different information:
📍 Site Plan
• Bird’s-eye view of the entire property (lot)
• Shows building footprint on the lot, not interior rooms
• Includes property boundaries, setbacks, driveways, and grade elevations
• Used by the City to verify zoning compliance
• Typical scale: 1:200 or 1:500
🏠 Floor Plan
• Interior view of a single level of the building
• Shows room layouts, walls, doors, windows, and dimensions
• Includes plumbing fixtures, staircase locations, and structural elements
• Used by the City to verify Building Code compliance
• Typical scale: 1:50 or 1:100
In short: the site plan shows where the building sits on the land, while the floor plan shows what is inside the building. Both are required for most Ottawa building permits. For interior-only renovations (like a kitchen remodel or load-bearing wall removal), a simplified key plan showing the building’s location may replace a full site plan.
What Ottawa Requires on a Residential Site Plan
Ottawa Building Code Services has specific requirements for site plan drawings submitted with residential building permits. Your site plan must include all of the following information:
You can find your property boundaries from the survey you received when you purchased your home, or by obtaining a plan from the Ontario Land Registry Office. If you do not have a survey, we can prepare the site plan from available records and verify critical dimensions on-site.
⚠️ Important — Limiting Distance: The City also requires limiting distance information, which measures the distance from the building face to the property line (or imaginary line between buildings on the same lot). This determines fire separation requirements under the Ontario Building Code. A common deficiency is showing only the foundation setback while ignoring projecting elements like cladding, fireplace vents, and eaves, which reduce the actual clearance.
Need a Site Plan for Your Ottawa Building Permit?
We prepare complete, permit-ready site plan drawings — including zoning summaries, grading details, and all required dimensions.
(613) 518-1387
When a Grading Plan Is Also Required
In addition to the site plan, Ottawa requires a separate grading plan when any of these conditions apply:
The proposed construction may adversely affect existing drainage on your property or neighbouring lots
The structure is a new building, addition, or accessory structure greater than 55 m² (592 sq ft) in footprint
The proposed structure is within 1.2 metres (4 feet) of a property line
A pool is being installed within 1.2 metres of a property line
A separate grading plan is not required (but the site plan must still show existing/proposed buildings and setbacks) for:
— A second-floor addition to an existing home (no change to ground-level footprint)
— A one-storey addition or accessory building ≤55 m² that is more than 1.2 m from property lines
— Interior renovations that do not change the building footprint
The grading plan is reviewed by Ottawa’s Infrastructure Approvals Division to confirm compliance with municipal drainage specifications. For more on pool permit requirements or accessory building permits, see our dedicated guides.
Which Projects Require Site Plan Drawings?
For a complete list of which projects require permits, see our what renovations need a building permit guide. For basement conversion details, see our legal basement apartment permit guide. For fee details, visit our 2026 permit fees breakdown.
Common Site Plan Deficiencies That Delay Permits
Ottawa’s zoning and building code examiners review every site plan carefully. These are the most frequent deficiency items we see returned to applicants:
Missing setback dimensions — every structure must show measured distances to all lot lines. Even one missing dimension triggers a deficiency letter.
No zoning compliance table — the site plan should include a table comparing permitted vs proposed setbacks, lot coverage, and building height.
Cladding and projections ignored — setbacks measured to the foundation only, not accounting for cladding, eaves, fireplace vents, or bay windows that project closer to the lot line.
Missing grade elevations — no existing or proposed grade information provided, or sidewalk elevations omitted.
Existing structures not shown — all buildings on the lot must appear, including sheds, decks, and pools, even if not part of the current project.
Drawing not to scale — site plans must be drawn to a conventional architectural scale. Freehand sketches or unscaled diagrams will be rejected.
Each deficiency requires a resubmission, which delays your permit by days or weeks. This is why professional site plan drawings from a firm experienced with Ottawa’s requirements can save significant time. Learn about typical permit processing timelines and how to avoid delays.
How We Prepare Site Plan Drawings for Ottawa Permits
At Architectural Drawing, site plan drawings are included in every permit drawing package we produce. Our process ensures nothing is missing:
Gather property information — we collect your survey, title documents, and lot dimensions. If no survey exists, we can work from Land Registry records and verify on-site.
Confirm zoning — we verify your property’s zoning designation using geoOttawa and the zoning bylaw to determine required setbacks, maximum lot coverage, and building height limits.
Site visit — we measure the existing building footprint, locate all structures, check setbacks, and document grade conditions. If as-built drawings are also needed, both are done during the same visit.
Draft and review — we produce the site plan in AutoCAD with all 14 required elements listed above, including the zoning compliance table. The drawing is reviewed internally before delivery. Once your permit is issued, the site plan becomes part of the approved drawings that must be available on-site during building inspections.
Site plans are always part of our complete permit drawing packages. View our design process or check our drawing costs for pricing details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a site plan and a floor plan?
A site plan is a bird’s-eye view of the entire property showing the building footprint, property boundaries, setbacks, driveways, and grading. A floor plan is a horizontal cross-section through one level of the building showing interior rooms, walls, doors, windows, and dimensions. The site plan verifies zoning compliance (where the building sits on the lot), while the floor plan verifies Building Code compliance (how the building is constructed).
Do I need a survey to prepare a site plan?
A survey is the most reliable source for property boundaries and lot dimensions, and many homeowners received one when they purchased their home. If you do not have a survey, property information can be obtained from the Ontario Land Registry Office. For new homes and large additions, the City may require a survey or reference plan. For smaller projects, a professionally prepared site plan based on available records and site measurements is usually accepted.
Can I draw my own site plan for a building permit?
Under Ontario’s homeowner exemption, you can prepare your own drawings for work on a home you own. However, the site plan must still be drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, and include all required elements (setbacks, grade elevations, zoning summary, etc.). Freehand sketches or unscaled diagrams are not accepted. Most homeowners find that having a professional prepare the site plan avoids costly deficiency notices and resubmissions. See our guide on architects vs architectural technologists to learn who can prepare permit drawings in Ontario.
What scale should a residential site plan be drawn at?
Residential site plans in Ottawa are typically drawn at 1:200 scale (metric) or 1:500 for larger rural properties. The plan must fit on a standard drawing sheet while remaining legible with all dimensions clearly readable. The City requires drawings at a “conventional scale” — irregular or arbitrary scales are not accepted.
Do I need a site plan for a deck permit in Ottawa?
Yes. A deck that is more than 600 mm (24 inches) above grade requires a building permit, and the permit application must include a site plan showing the deck’s location on the lot with setback dimensions to all property lines. The site plan also needs to show any other existing structures on the lot. A separate grading plan is generally not required for a deck.
What is the difference between a site plan and a grading plan?
A site plan shows the horizontal layout of buildings and structures on the lot with setback dimensions. A grading plan focuses on vertical elevations — showing existing and proposed ground levels, drainage slopes, swale locations, and how surface water will flow away from structures. For larger projects, both are required. The grading plan is reviewed by Ottawa’s Infrastructure Approvals Division, while the site plan is reviewed by zoning and building code examiners.
How do I find my property setback requirements in Ottawa?
Contact a Development Information Officer (DIO) at 613-580-2424 ext. 23434 or email dioinquiry@ottawa.ca. Provide your property address and the DIO will advise on your zoning designation, required setbacks, building height limits, and lot coverage restrictions. You can also look up your zoning on geoOttawa and cross-reference with Ottawa’s zoning bylaw.
What is site plan control vs a site plan drawing?
These are different things. A site plan drawing is a scaled drawing you include with your building permit application. Site plan control is a separate planning approval process under the Planning Act that applies mainly to commercial, multi-residential, and institutional developments. Most single-family residential projects do not require site plan control approval. To confirm whether your project requires it, call 3-1-1 to speak with a Development Information Officer.
How much does a site plan drawing cost?
A standalone site plan drawing for a simple project (deck, shed, or small addition) typically costs $300–$800. For larger projects, the site plan is included as part of the complete permit drawing package, which ranges from $1,500 to $6,000+ depending on the project scope. Contact us for a quote specific to your project.
Do I need to call Ontario One Call before preparing a site plan?
Ontario One Call (1-800-400-2255) should be contacted before any excavation work begins, not for the site plan itself. However, knowing the location of underground utilities is useful when preparing the site plan, particularly for new construction or projects near property lines where services may be located. The City has underground locates in many backyards, front yards, and side lots.
Get Permit-Ready Site Plan Drawings
Complete, accurate, and fully compliant with Ottawa’s building permit requirements — prepared by designers who know what the City looks for.
(613) 518-1387