Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa is taking steps to address “renovictions,” a practice where landlords evict tenants under the guise of renovations with the intent to raise rents. The Planning and Housing Committee at its meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 15) directed city staff to develop a by-law requiring landlords to obtain a license for renovations and provide relocation assistance to displaced tenants.
The committee has instructed staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the feasibility, legality, and practicality of such a by-law and report back by the second quarter of 2026. This initiative stems from a feasibility assessment that highlighted the significant resources required to implement and enforce the by-law, including the need for up to 15 new staff positions and an estimated annual cost of $1.8 to $2.2 million.
While acknowledging that the Ontario government has primary responsibility for tenant protection, the committee emphasized the need for local action to address this growing concern. The committee also approved adjustments to the 2023-2026 By-law Review Work Plan to accommodate this initiative and directed staff to identify funding sources before the matter goes before City Council next Wednesday (Jan. 22).
In other actions, the committee approved plans for a new signalized intersection on March Road in the Kanata North Urban Expansion Area and a zoning amendment to facilitate the development of a 94-unit apartment building and a semi-detached dwelling at 37 Woodpine Ct. Stittsville.
A public road connecting Ravenscroft and Wildpine courts would be created, with the apartment building to the north and the semi-detached building to the south.
The Stittsville apartment building lands would be rezoned Residential Fourth Density to permit the low-rise apartment use, and the amendment would also reduce required parking for the apartment building. The semi-detached parcel would retain a Residential Third Density zoning, with reduced setbacks to account for irregular lot shape and to maximize separation from nearby homes.
A portion of the property contains natural heritage features, and the applicant will convey that block to the city for environmental preservation. Those lands would be zoned Parks and Open Space.
