Does Ottawa's sump rebate require the battery backup to qualify?

The City's Residential Protective Plumbing Program rebate for a sump pump does require battery backup power to qualify. The program table lists "primary or secondary sump pump with battery backup power" as the eligible item, and a pump without that backup is not on the list.

The rebate amount depends on whether a new pit is also being constructed. A pump with battery backup installed in an existing sump pit qualifies for up to $1,500. If a new sump pit is built at the same time, the maximum rises to $3,000. In both cases, the City rebates the lesser of that maximum or the actual cost of the work. The work must be complete and the rebate application received within 18 months of the building permit's issue date; the City changed that window from 12 months on July 1, 2026. The City also lists the program as currently under review, so check ottawa.ca before making decisions based on these figures.

A few eligibility points matter here. The property must be a residential property in the City of Ottawa. Rebates are not available for maintenance, repair or replacement of existing protective plumbing devices, so if you are replacing a pump that is already in place rather than installing a new one, ask the City whether your job qualifies before the work starts. The City requires a building permit before the work begins.

The permit fee for plumbing work is $117 per application under the City's 2026 fee schedule, and the program covers 100 per cent of that fee as a separate rebate line. After the work is done and inspected, you pay the contractor, then apply with proof of ownership, the permit, the inspection report, and a paid itemized invoice.

Before booking, ask the contractor to list on the invoice the pump, the battery backup and any new pit as separate lines, since the rebate application asks for a paid, itemized invoice.