How to Apply Online?
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.
