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On April 8, 2026, the City enacted the Access By-law (No. 2026-139) to regulate pedestrian and vehicular access to private property within City highways, and to repeal the Private Approach By-law.
Why is there a new Access By-law?
The City has rules for the ROW, including property owner maintenance, what can be installed and where, and who is qualified to do different types of work in the ROW. The Access By-law makes the rules for driveway construction, use and maintenance that were in the previous Private Approach By-law simpler and clearer to understand and includes clear rules for walkways to align with the new Zoning By-law. It will streamline approvals, reduce red tape and give staff more flexibility in reviewing access locations and designs.
The Access By-law helps preserve essential greenspace in the ROW for planting trees to grow the tree canopy, storing snow and soaking up rain and runoff, and design rules that allow for on-street parking opportunities and support pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Access maintenance requirements
Maintenance and liability for the portion of a driveway or walkway in the ROW (vehicular or pedestrian access) rests with the abutting property owner. Accesses, including any curbs, culvert pipe, headwalls, and steps, must be kept in a good state of repair to not cause injury or damage to property. Where an access includes a culvert, the property owner must also make sure there is clear open passage of water through the culvert.
Anaccess permit is required before a property owner can construct, modify (including widening), close or remove an access. This applies for residential vehicular access (driveways) as well as farm and field access, temporary access, vehicular access for other land uses, or a pedestrian in some cases. Permits are not required to resurface an access. More information on access permits can be found on ottawa.ca.
On April 8, 2026, the City enacted the Access By-law (No. 2026-139) to regulate pedestrian and vehicular access to private property within City highways, and to repeal the Private Approach By-law.
Why is there a new Access By-law?
The City has rules for the ROW, including property owner maintenance, what can be installed and where, and who is qualified to do different types of work in the ROW. The Access By-law makes the rules for driveway construction, use and maintenance that were in the previous Private Approach By-law simpler and clearer to understand and includes clear rules for walkways to align with the new Zoning By-law. It will streamline approvals, reduce red tape and give staff more flexibility in reviewing access locations and designs.
The Access By-law helps preserve essential greenspace in the ROW for planting trees to grow the tree canopy, storing snow and soaking up rain and runoff, and design rules that allow for on-street parking opportunities and support pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Access maintenance requirements
Maintenance and liability for the portion of a driveway or walkway in the ROW (vehicular or pedestrian access) rests with the abutting property owner. Accesses, including any curbs, culvert pipe, headwalls, and steps, must be kept in a good state of repair to not cause injury or damage to property. Where an access includes a culvert, the property owner must also make sure there is clear open passage of water through the culvert.
Anaccess permit is required before a property owner can construct, modify (including widening), close or remove an access. This applies for residential vehicular access (driveways) as well as farm and field access, temporary access, vehicular access for other land uses, or a pedestrian in some cases. Permits are not required to resurface an access. More information on access permits can be found on ottawa.ca.
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On March 11, 2026, Council approved a new Access By-law to regulate the construction, use and maintenance of the portion of driveways and walkways that are in the City’s right of way and to clarify the work property owners can undertake, sometimes without the need for a permit. The new by-law will replace the current Private Approach By-law. The Access By-law will come into effect on April 8, 2026.
On March 11, 2026, Council approved a new Access By-law to regulate the construction, use and maintenance of the portion of driveways and walkways that are in the City’s right of way and to clarify the work property owners can undertake, sometimes without the need for a permit. The new by-law will replace the current Private Approach By-law. The Access By-law will come into effect on April 8, 2026.
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On February 26, the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee carried the report and recommendations related to the review of Private Approach By-law.
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Staff will present the report and recommendations to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
If you would like to join as a delegate to speak at committee, you must register in advance. You may also submit a written delegation to show support or disagreement with recommendations. The contact information to request to be a delegate is below. You can find more information on how to participate in Council and committee proceedings here: Get involved in local government | City of Ottawa
If you would like to join as a delegate to speak at committee, you must register in advance. You may also submit a written delegation to show support or disagreement with recommendations. The contact information to request to be a delegate is below. You can find more information on how to participate in Council and committee proceedings here: Get involved in local government | City of Ottawa
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The following document provides a summary of the questions and comments received through the Engage Ottawa page, direct emails to the project team and during the virtual information sessions:
The results of this engagement will be used to further develop staff’s recommendations for updated by-law provisions. Recommendations will be included in the staff report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and City Council for their consideration and approval in February and March 2026.
The following document provides a summary of the questions and comments received through the Engage Ottawa page, direct emails to the project team and during the virtual information sessions:
The results of this engagement will be used to further develop staff’s recommendations for updated by-law provisions. Recommendations will be included in the staff report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and City Council for their consideration and approval in February and March 2026.
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Thank you to those that participated in the rural-focused public information session on November 10, 2025. The presentation from the session can be found here -November 10, 2025, Information Session.
Thank you to those that participated in the rural-focused public information session on November 10, 2025. The presentation from the session can be found here -November 10, 2025, Information Session.
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Thank you to those that participated in the public information session on November 4, 2025. The presentation from the session can be found here - November 4, 2025, Information Session.
Thank you to those that participated in the public information session on November 4, 2025. The presentation from the session can be found here - November 4, 2025, Information Session.
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The City is conducting a review and update of the Private Approach By-law, which regulates the construction, use and maintenance of private approaches in the city. A private approach is the part of a driveway or vehicular access to private property that is on the City’s right of way.
The City of Ottawa is hosting two online public information sessions. The sessions will cover how the City reviews, permits and enforces private approaches, the functions of the right of way that need to be preserved, and an overview of the proposed by-law updates. The rural session will dedicate more time detailing items of particular interest to rural communities.
The City is conducting a review and update of the Private Approach By-law, which regulates the construction, use and maintenance of private approaches in the city. A private approach is the part of a driveway or vehicular access to private property that is on the City’s right of way.
The City of Ottawa is hosting two online public information sessions. The sessions will cover how the City reviews, permits and enforces private approaches, the functions of the right of way that need to be preserved, and an overview of the proposed by-law updates. The rural session will dedicate more time detailing items of particular interest to rural communities.
