Will an Ottawa plumbing permit be needed to move my sink?

Moving a sink involves altering the plumbing system, and the City of Ottawa's permit list includes "alterations, additions or extensions to a plumbing system (except replacing existing fixtures)" as work that requires a plumbing permit. Moving a sink to a new spot is not a replacement in place, so the plumbing-alteration line is the one to ask about; confirm with Building Code Services.

If the move also involves opening or moving walls, that work may require a building permit as well, particularly if any wall is load-bearing. The owner and the contractor are equally liable under the Building Code Act if required permits are not obtained, so confirming what is needed before work starts matters.

A few things to ask the contractor to include in a written quote: the cost of the permit, any patching and finishing to walls, floors or ceilings after the plumbing is moved, and whether the work touches a load-bearing wall. The City's permit fee for alterations is $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $117, based on the January 1, 2026 fee schedule.

Before work begins, confirm with the City of Ottawa's Building Code Services exactly which permits apply to your project, since the scope of the move and any wall work will affect what is required.