Before you hire in Orléans
Do you need a permit for basement finishing in Orléans?
In Ottawa finishing a basement requires a building permit where the work involves installation, erection, extension, or material alteration or repair.
That covers most real basement finishes, including framing new rooms. Damp proofing an existing basement is separately exempt, and creating a basement apartment can require a plumbing permit as well.
Designated heritage buildings and properties inside a Heritage District Overlay are not covered by these exemptions, and the City asks owners to confirm with a Building Client Service Centre before starting.
Source: City of Ottawa: Projects not requiring Building Permits. Confirmed 2026-08-23. Thresholds change, so check before you build.