Will Ottawa want a permit when my den becomes a bedroom?

Converting a den into a bedroom brings in two lines of the City of Ottawa's permit list: "adding or removing walls, i.e., creating different room sizes and/or uses" and structural alterations. If converting your den to a bedroom involves moving or removing walls, a permit is required. If the wall work touches a load-bearing wall, that is also a structural alteration, which is on the permit list.

Where the question gets less clear is a change of room use with no wall work at all. The City's published list does not address that situation directly, and we did not find a rule that settles it. The safe step is to ask Building Code Services before you start, describe exactly what work you plan to do, and get the answer in writing.

What to describe to the City

When you contact the City, describe whether any walls are moving or coming down, whether the wall in question is load-bearing, and whether any plumbing is involved. Adding or moving a toilet, sink or shower drain is on the permit list as a plumbing alteration. Replacing existing fixtures in place is not.

On the permit fee side, if a permit is required, the City's 2026 fee schedule sets the rate for alterations at $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $117. Construction value includes materials, labour, overhead and any professional fees.

The owner and the builder are equally liable under the Building Code Act if required work proceeds without a permit, so it is worth confirming before any work begins rather than after.

Ask each contractor to spell out in writing which walls are being moved or removed, whether the contractor is pulling the permit or expects you to, what patching and finishing is included after the walls are done, and what the start and completion dates are.