Does replacing a shower pan and retiling require a plumbing permit in Ottawa?

Whether you need a plumbing permit in Ottawa for replacing a shower pan and retiling depends on what exactly is changing. If you are replacing a shower pan in place — same drain location, same footprint, no changes to the rough-in plumbing — you generally do not need a plumbing permit from the City of Ottawa. However, if the project involves relocating the drain, changing the drain size, or modifying any of the supply or waste plumbing, a permit is required.

The practical reality is that most shower pan replacements fall into a grey area worth clarifying before you start. A straightforward swap — remove the old pan or mortar bed, waterproof properly, and retile — is typically permit-free. But the moment a plumber needs to adjust the drain location even slightly to accommodate a new curbless design or a linear drain, you are in permit territory. Ottawa's Building Code Services handles these applications — you can reach them through 3-1-1 or at ottawa.ca, and a quick call to clarify your specific scope is always worth the five minutes.

The tile and waterproofing work itself does not require a permit. What does require an ESA permit and a licensed electrician is any heated floor element — if you are adding in-floor radiant heat to the new shower floor or the bathroom floor surrounding it, that electrical work must be inspected by the ESA regardless of whether a plumbing permit is needed.

One thing worth flagging: even though the permit question is straightforward, the waterproofing work behind a shower pan replacement absolutely is not. This is genuinely one of the highest-risk tile projects a homeowner can undertake. A failed shower waterproofing job — whether from an improperly sealed drain flange, missed corners, or inadequate membrane coverage — can push water silently into the subfloor and framing for months before the damage becomes visible. By the time you smell mildew or see a stain on the ceiling below, you may be looking at $10,000 to $20,000 in remediation including mould remediation, structural repairs, and a complete redo of the tile work. A properly installed Schluter Kerdi system or liquid-applied membrane like RedGard, with meticulous attention to the drain connection and all corners, is the non-negotiable foundation of any shower pan replacement.

If you are planning this project, you can browse experienced tile professionals through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory — finding someone with specific shower waterproofing experience is worth prioritising for this particular scope of work.