New Technology Solution: Building, Planning & Land Development

Online Submissions 

Applications can now be submitted online using the new Building, Planning and Land Development online application and permitting portal available through My Service Ottawa. The new Land Management System (LMS) is a digital technology providing access to online permits and applications for Building Code Services. 

Interested in getting started? Let us show you how

Step 1 – My ServiceOttawa Account

Building, Planning and Land Development is part of the My ServiceOttawa platform, where you also access your city Water and Sewer, Property Tax and Garbage and Recycling services online. Whether you are the applicant on/applying for your own home renovation, a business or an independent professional, an account with My ServiceOttawa (MySO) is required to access the online customer portal.

Do you currently have a My ServiceOttawa account? 

• No - Please proceed to My ServiceOttawa login page and select the green ‘create an account’ button. Assistance is available for creating your account. 
• Yes - Please login to your My ServiceOttawa account and complete the system registration by selecting the Building, planning and land development service widget. 

Please refer to the My ServiceOttawa’s help page for assistance on how to manage your account. Several Customer Portal user guides have been developed to provide information on how to use the new system.

Step 2 - Building, Planning and Land Development Registration

Once within the MySO platform, select the Building, Planning and Land Development service widget to register and gain access to the new Building, Planning and Land Development online customer portal.

Step 3 - PIN activation and Associations

Who are you doing business as? Who will be involved in your business?

The online customer portal offers a means for homeowners, companies, and individual professionals to all work together on a single project or permit application.

Accessing the Customer Portal as an Individual

Before you can access the online customer portal, you will be asked to enter a 6-digit Customer PIN. If you have submitted Building Code Services applications in the past, there is a PIN available to you.

This Customer PIN links all existing applications that are tied to you and makes them accessible in your online account. A Customer PIN is linked only to a single individual and not a company or professional. All new portal users will receive this one-time use PIN request upon registration.

If you have existing applications where you are listed as the applicant, you may reach out to Building Code Services to acquire this Customer PIN by emailing buildingpermits@ottawa.ca. If this does not apply, you may bypass this step by selecting “Do Not Link and Continue” at registration.

Accessing the Customer Portal as a Contractor or Professional

Once within the customer portal, if you are a company or contractor (i.e. Construction Company or Developer etc.), you may enter a 9-digit Contractor PIN, which will link all existing applications that are tied to the company or contractor and make them accessible in your online account. A Contractor PIN is linked to a company or contractor and can be shared internally among the company. Various permissions can be set to ensure only certain access is provided and privacy is intact.

If you have existing applications where the company or contractor is the applicant, you may reach out to Building Code Services to acquire this Contractor PIN by emailing buildingpermits@ottawa.ca. Contractor PINs can also be generated by a company or contractor at their own discretion within the customer portal.

Accessing the Customer Portal as a Professional

Once within the customer portal, if you act as a professional (i.e. Architect, Designer etc.) doing business on behalf of a company or contractor, you can be invited to take part in the application by being added as an Additional Party. Additional Parties are given access to applications for the purpose of making payments, participate in reviews and/or requesting inspections. An email invitation will be sent to those professionals when a company or contractor is inviting you to be part of the application.

Step 4 - Managing the Online Customer Portal

Once within the online customer portal, new Building Code Services applications can be applied for online. Simply select the “Start an Application” button and follow the steps. Various permits including, Construction Permits, Demolition Permits, Private Road naming, and Septic Permits to name a few, are now fully available to be submitted online.

This also includes uploading plans and documents, making payments and requesting inspections. In turn, City Staff will upload building permits, occupancy reports, and inspection reports directly to your account to view and download.

Don’t forget to visit:

Planning your project | City of Ottawa to learn more about planning your construction project.

Building permit approval process | City of Ottawa to learn more about applying online for Building Code Services permits and applications.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Professional and Contractor PINs

Q: How do I access the new online system?

A: To access the new Planning, Building and Land Development online system, a My ServiceOttawa account must be created. Once within your account, select the “Planning, Building and Land Development” service widget to register for the new online system.

Q. How do I add and link my PIN to my Building Code services online Customer account:

A: An instructional guide has been created to help with the process on the My ServiceOttawa Help page.

**All users must first have a My ServiceOttawa account in order to access the new online system and link the PIN to an account. An instructional guide has been created to help with the process on the My ServiceOttawa Help page.

You will be required to enter a one-time Customer PIN to associate your existing Customer account to the new one. Once complete, select the “Professional/Contractor” tab where you can then associate your Contractor PIN.

Accessible, instructional PDF guides have been developed to further assist in this process and can be found in the My ServiceOttawa Help page.

Q: Why didn’t I receive an online Customer or Contractor PIN?

A: Only the Main active contact for each Company was sent a PIN, it is their responsibility to manage distribution of the PIN to other employees. Building Code services will not issue PINs to other individuals. Professional and contractor accounts include builders, developers, architects, designers, etc.

Q: How do I receive a PIN like others in my organization?

A: Only one individual per contractors account will receive a PIN. If you have not received a PIN it can mean that you are not listed as the main contact for an application/permit. Please connect with others in your organization to determine the owner of the PIN.

Q: Why does one Professional Contractor/Company receive multiple PINs?

A: If you have received multiple emails containing different PINs you must associate all PINs in order to view all existing permits. Multiple PINs exist as a result of there being multiple contacts in our previous MAP system, that have submitted permits.

Q: We received multiple PINs but would prefer one account for simplicity. Can they be combined to ensure we keep all Footprints required?

A: Yes. Multiple PINs are provided when different individuals submitted permits/applications, resulting in multiple contacts. PINs can be merged with the help of City Staff. To merge your PINs, please send an email to lms_support@ottawa.ca and provide details on the applications/permits to be merged such as, permit numbers, contact name, business names etc.

Q: How to associate a permit and/or pending application with a new Contractor account?

A: To associate an existing or pending application, a unique PIN number must be associated to the account. PINs have been sent out by the City of Ottawa to various contractors who have existing applications. You must have a My ServiceOttawa account in order to access the new online system. Various guides have been created including, Account Creation and Linking PINs on the My ServiceOttawa Help page to guide you through the process.

If you feel you should have received a PIN but didn’t, please send us an email to lms_support@ottawa.ca with the application number and we will investigate the request.

Q: PINs assigned are defaulted to giving full manager access, how do I modify this?

A: When PINs are first associated the individual becomes the owner/manager of the PIN and receives full permissions. The individual can share the PIN with the appropriate owner/manager and provide them with the “Manage” permission. Once the owner/manager associates their account, the existing permissions can be removed or edited as required. Instructional guides have been created to help with the process in the My My ServiceOttawa Help page.

The various permission roles must be reviewed internally by the company or contractor in order to grant or remove permissions.

**Please note that within the next few weeks this process will be adjusted to a default of no permissions being granted at set up. This will mean the user will have more control over what permissions are granted and to whom from the beginning.

Q: Where in the system can I request a new PIN?

A: A new PIN can be created on the Building Code Services main Dashboard page by selecting the “Professionals/Contractors” tab. An instructional guide has been created to help with the process in the My My ServiceOttawa Help page.

Q: I need to book an inspection; how do I receive a PIN for that?

A: There are no unique Inspection PINs. The Contractor PIN can be used to associate existing applications/permits to your account. For those applications where inspections can be scheduled, the “Request an Inspection” button on the main Dashboard can be used to make a booking.

Q: Not all applications are being shown. When calling inspections, the PIN is only displaying some of the applications, how/when will the others be linked?

A: If you are not seeing all applications, it is possible that those applications are linked to a different PIN. Multiple PINs occur when different individuals for one business, submit applications as the main contact. Businesses are encouraged to connect with their staff internally and share PINs tied to different applications.

Q: Are there different PINs for different types of Professionals? I.e. Designer, Architect etc.

A: No, PINs are not unique to any professional designation and can be shared between all parties involved in a permit or application.

Please contact the LMS Project Team at lms_support@ottawa.ca for any questions or concerns. We are experiencing a higher than usual call volume and a member of our project team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we transition to our new technology.

We are pleased to announce that Building Code Services has launched the online portal for all permits and applications. To use the customer portal, they must have a My ServiceOttawa account on ottawa.ca.

Visit the MY ServiceOttawa help page for useful guides and videos on the online customer portal.

City residents, builders and the development industry may now submit and pay for all Building Code Services permits and applications from the comfort of their home, office or work site using any mobile device. The new Building, Planning and Land Development online customer portal is available through My Service Ottawa.

Building Code Services online applications and permits introduces a new paperless process that allows you, the applicant, to apply, upload plans and documents, submit payment, book inspections, and check the application status without traveling to your nearest Client Service Center.

Building Code Services available online include:

• Access to Building Permit Records
• Compliance Reporting
• Building Permits and related applications
• Building Enforcement, Prosecutions, and Inspections
• Municipal Addressing and Permanent Sign Permits
• Request for Service (RFS) - Building Code
• Applications for 911 Blade Signs
• Municipal Notification Agency and Letter of Approval and for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

Building Code Services Client Service Centers continue to be available to client’s requiring assistance.

Getting Started

Visit Planning your project | City of Ottawa to learn more about planning your construction project.

Visit Building permit approval process | City of Ottawa to learn more about applying online for Building Code Services permits and applications.

Take a few minutes to complete our quick poll or send us your questions about the project. We will be happy to get back to you and share more information as it becomes available. We want to hear from you!

We will be updating this page with new information and updates throughout the year. Please subscribe and visit the page frequently as the project rolls out, to stay informed and actively engaged.

1. Why do we need a new technology solution ?

The current technology system used to support land development applications, permits, licenses and inspections has reached end of life and is not capable of meeting the city's modernization requirements. A new solution has therefore been acquired to modernize business processes and maintain security needs.

2. What will the new technology solution do?

The new POSSE Land Management System will provide a modern solution for building, planning and land development applications, permits, licenses and inspections that will transform business processes.

The new technology is expected to bring several positive impacts and benefits to all stakeholders. These include:

• Enhance service to the citizens of Ottawa through ability to submit applications online.
• Include accessibility features and bilingual public facing services.
• Provide a secure online payment process through integration with Paymentus.
• Provide an online customer portal and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment function.
• Coordination with the city on electronic permit submission and concurrent digital reviews.
• Self-serve access to submit, track, and receive information regarding applications and requests.

3. When will the new technology be in place?

This is a five year, multi-year project that will be launched in phases with a number of launches.

Phase 1 - Building Code Services (current to 2024)

Launch 1: (November 2022)

• Access to Building Permit Records and Compliance Reports

Launch 2: (September 2024)

• All Building Permits and related applications
• Building Enforcement, prosecutions and inspections
• Request for Service (RFS) Building Code and sign related requests
• Municipal Notification Agency and Letter of Approval and for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

Counter services continue to be available, as before, to offer an in-person process to those who prefer them.

Phase 2 - Planning Services, Right of Way, Heritage & Urban Design and Committee of Adjustment (2026 est.)

This phase will include functions related to applications for change of land use or development, the construction or addition to a building(s) or to the creation of a parcel of land.

It will also include applications related to the city’s heritage designation and right of way zoning by-laws, private approach by-laws and include functions related to applications for change of land use or development, land severances and tree protection by-law.

4. How will the new technology impact me or my business?

The new technology system offers enhanced service to the citizens of Ottawa through increased service options and online access to building, planning and land development applications, payments and account information from a standard computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone. The new technology system is user-friendly and provides an effective approach to managing applications, documents, plans and payment processing.

The new technology is expected to bring a number of positive impacts and benefits to all stakeholders. These include:

• A modernized technology solution with real-time mobile functionality that continuously adapts to changes in the industry
• Enhanced service to the citizens of Ottawa through increased service options
• Ability to submit applications online using a mobile-friendly web interface that is both accessible and bilingual
• Ability to save time and make secure online payments through integration with Paymentus
• Provide an online builder portal and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment function
• Coordination with the city on electronic permit, concurrent digital reviews and real-time remote access for field workers
• Self-serve access to submit, track, and receive information regarding building permit and land applications and requests
• Direct access to your city account information through MyServiceOttawa.ca
• Existing city services will continue as the new technology solution is phased in.

5. Where can I get help or learn more about how to use the new technology system?

Visit Ottawa.ca to learn more about the process for building permit applications and planning your construction project.

For help on using the new system go to the MY Service Ottawa Help Page (Building, Planning and Land Development) or visit Engage.Ottawa.ca: New Technology Solution: Building, Planning & Land Development.

6. Where can I get more information?

To find out more about the new online permitting and application system visit Ottawa.ca or subscribe to this Engage.Ottawa.ca: New Technology Solution: Building, Planning & Land Development site.