Frequently Asked Questions

Four open programs list this kind of work (checked September 2026). The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit lets a person who is 65 or older, or eligible for the disability tax credit, claim up to $20,000 of eligible expenses a year. Ontario Renovates, run by the City of Ottawa until March 31, 2027, offers eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities a forgivable loan of up to $15,000 plus a $5,000 accessibility grant. The March of Dimes Home and Vehicle Modification Program funds up to $15,000 over a lifetime for people who meet its disability and income rules. The Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit applies to eligible medical expenses for people 70 and over. Each program decides who is eligible.

No. Ontario's own factsheet says it was available for the 2021 and 2022 tax years only, and it is not on the CRA's list of Ontario credits for 2025 (checked September 2026). Some contractor pages still advertise it. The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit is still open.

Not from the two grant programs. The March of Dimes program will not repay any cost before it authorizes the work, and Ontario Renovates says repairs done before the loan or grant is approved are not eligible. The Home Accessibility Tax Credit is different: it is claimed on your tax return for the year the eligible expenses were paid, so keep every invoice and receipt. Each program decides eligibility (checked September 2026).

Ontario's Building Code allows an exterior ramp serving a house to be no steeper than 1 in 10 (Article 9.8.5.4). The 1 in 12 slope you may have heard of is the barrier-free standard for public buildings, which does not apply to detached, semi-detached or row houses. A ramp steeper than 1 in 12 can rise at most 1 500 mm between landings, and every ramp steeper than 1 in 50 needs a landing at the top and bottom.

Ramps are not on either of the City of Ottawa's permit lists. The City's deck page says a deck at the main entrance needs a permit, so ask Building Code Services how your ramp and landing will be treated before work starts.

Yes, as far as zoning goes. Ottawa's older zoning by-law (2008-250) sets no projection limit for wheelchair ramps, and the newer one (2026-50) says accessibility structures and devices have no limit on setback or projection. That covers your own lot; the road allowance in front of it belongs to the City.

Ontario's elevating-devices regulation (O. Reg. 209/01) does not apply to devices in a private dwelling house used only by the people who live there and their guests, unless the owner asks in writing for it to apply. TSSA's own page says the same and adds that such devices may be regulated by other bodies. A home that is rented or open to the public may not count as a private dwelling house; TSSA publishes a questionnaire for that.

Neither is on the City of Ottawa's permit lists. A lift that needs a new opening in a floor or wall is a structural alteration, which is on the permit list, so ask Building Code Services if your project changes the structure.

Published Ontario and Canadian guides for 2025 and 2026 put a straight stair lift at about $3,000 to $6,000 installed and a curved one at about $10,000 to $15,000 or more. We found too few published prices for platform lifts to give a range. Get written quotes for the same stair.

Yes. The City of Ottawa's permit list includes "enlarging or relocating a window or door". If the wall is load-bearing, the work is also a structural alteration. Ask for the permit to be named in the quote.

Not grab bars themselves. For new houses, the Code requires reinforcement in the walls of the main bathroom so grab bars can be added later (Article 9.5.2.4). We did not find a rule that makes a renovation add it, so ask the City if your project opens those walls. Where grab bars are provided in a home, they must resist at least 1.3 kN (Article 9.31.2.3).

For alterations to an existing house, the City's fee schedule (January 1, 2026) charges $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum fee of $117. Construction value includes materials, labour, overhead and professional fees.

We found no Ontario or City of Ottawa licence specific to accessibility or aging-in-place work. TSSA licenses elevating-device contractors and mechanics for the devices its regulation covers, which does not include a lift in a private dwelling house unless the owner opts in. Ask any contractor for references and a written quote.

Ontario's door-to-door ban covers furnaces, air conditioners, air cleaners and purifiers, water heaters, water treatment devices and duct cleaning. Stair lifts and renovation work are not on that list, but the Consumer Protection Act still applies: an agreement made in your home must be in writing, you can cancel it within 10 days of receiving your copy, and if you ask a salesperson to leave, they must leave right away.

The work, the price and the dates in writing. Under the Consumer Protection Act, a supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent over an estimate. For the Home Accessibility Tax Credit, the CRA asks you to keep invoices and receipts showing the contractor's name and address, GST/HST number if applicable, a description of the work, the dates and proof of payment. Ontario's guide for seniors says to ask for 3 references and check them.

No. It is a free matching service. You describe the project, and the request goes to local Ottawa contractors who do accessibility work. We do not do the work, inspect it, or check contractors' credentials.

No. We give no medical, occupational therapy or device advice. That decision belongs to the person who will use it and whoever advises them. Some programs set their own rule: the March of Dimes program funds solutions as recommended by an occupational therapist.

It is free. Our forms ask for your name, your email and a description of the project, never a phone number. Your request is passed to local contractors who do accessibility work, and you decide whether to hire any of them.