Do I need a permit to add a second curb cut in Ottawa?

Yes, you need a permit from the City of Ottawa to add a second curb cut to your property. Any work that creates a new driveway opening onto a municipal road or alters the existing curb cut requires a permit, inspection, and compliance with City of Ottawa engineering standards.

Permit Requirements and Process

Adding a second curb cut involves work within the municipal right-of-way (the area between your property line and the road), which is City property. You'll need to apply for a Road Occupancy Permit through the City of Ottawa by calling 3-1-1 or applying online. The permit application requires a site plan showing your property dimensions, existing and proposed curb cuts, driveway locations, and how the new access will affect drainage and traffic sight lines.

The City will review your application against zoning bylaws, engineering standards, and safety requirements. Key factors include your lot frontage width, proximity to intersections, sight line clearances, and whether the second curb cut creates traffic safety concerns. Properties on busy arterial roads or near intersections face stricter requirements than those on quiet residential streets.

Zoning and Design Restrictions

Ottawa's zoning bylaw limits total driveway width and may restrict the number of curb cuts per property depending on your lot frontage. In most residential zones, combined driveway width cannot exceed 50 percent of your front yard width or 8 metres total, whichever is less. If your lot frontage is narrow (less than 15 metres), you may not have sufficient width for two separate driveways while meeting minimum separation requirements.

The new curb cut must maintain minimum distances from existing driveways, property lines, fire hydrants, utility poles, and intersections. The City typically requires at least 3 metres of undisturbed curb between separate driveway openings, and the new driveway apron must be built to municipal specifications with proper drainage.

Construction Standards and Costs

The driveway apron (the section between the sidewalk and road) must be constructed to City of Ottawa standards, typically involving concrete or asphalt matching the existing municipal infrastructure. The contractor must coordinate with City inspectors and may need to temporarily close traffic lanes during construction.

Expect permit fees of $200 to $500 plus the cost of apron construction, which ranges from $800 to $2,000 depending on width and materials. The total project cost including the new driveway section on your property typically runs $3,000 to $8,000 depending on length, materials, and site conditions.

When to Hire a Professional

This work requires a contractor experienced with municipal permits and City of Ottawa standards. The contractor should handle the permit application, coordinate with City inspectors, and ensure the new curb cut meets engineering requirements for drainage, slope, and materials. Attempting this as a DIY project risks permit violations, failed inspections, and expensive corrections.

Need help finding a contractor experienced with municipal driveway work? Ottawa Driveways can match you with professionals familiar with City of Ottawa permit requirements and construction standards.