What plans does the City of Ottawa want for a sump pump permit?
What plans does the City of Ottawa want for a sump pump permit?
The City of Ottawa requires a building permit to install a sump pit and pump as protective plumbing. The permit application must include floor plans and show the device's location, type, make and model.
Ask your contractor to show you the drawings they will submit.
What the drawings show has to meet Ontario's Building Code. The pit must be at least 750 mm deep and at least 0.25 m² in area, with a cover that resists removal by children and is airtight, and an automatic pump is required where gravity drainage is not practical (9.14.5.2). A storm sump discharge gets a union and a check valve, in that order in the direction of flow, and is pumped to above grade level (7.4.6.3). The City of Ottawa advises connecting the pump to the storm sewer or discharging to the ground at least 1.2 metres from the foundation.
A few things worth knowing before the work starts:
- Ask whether a licensed plumber does or signs off the plumbing portion of the installation.
- The permit fee for plumbing work is $117 per application under the City's 2026 fee schedule. The RPPP covers 100 per cent of that fee as a separate rebate line.
Before you sign the contract, ask the contractor to show you the floor plan they intend to submit and confirm in writing that the permit will be issued before work starts.
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Waterproofing IQ -- Built from the Ontario Building Code, Ontario regulations and City of Ottawa sources and real construction experience. Answers are for informational purposes only and are not a professional assessment.
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