At Ottawa Deck and Rail, we know upgrading your deck is about more than looks — it’s about creating a safe, beautiful space for your family. Before you install that sleek glass railing, there’s an important question:
👉🏽 Do you need a permit?
Let’s break it down in simple terms — and show how we make the process stress-free.
Think of your glass railing like a seatbelt for your deck. It’s there to protect your family and guests from a dangerous fall — and the City of Ottawa wants to be sure it’s up to the job.
If your deck is more than 24 inches (600 mm) above the ground, you must have a guard — and that means a building permit is required.
Glass adds extra rules: it must be tempered or laminated safety glass — designed to stay safe even if damaged.
➡ Ottawa Deck and Rail charges $1,500 to handle the full permit process for you — including drawings, submission, coordination with engineers (if needed), and scheduling inspections.
➡ Permit fee charged by the City: ~$206.53 (additional, paid directly to City of Ottawa)
Apply early (before peak deck season starts)
We can guide your timeline to avoid delays
📷 Tape measure from ground to deck — proves height
📷 Site plan markup — shows where railings go
📷 Close-ups of glass markings (tempered/laminated)
📷 During build — anchoring, glass placement
📷 Final installed height (with tape measure)
We take care of everything — no paperwork headaches for you
We provide code-compliant, beautiful designs
We work with trusted engineers where needed
We ensure your railing is safe, legal, and built to last
👉🏽 One call, one quote, one smooth process.
Whatever your project, our team offers expert guidance through every step of the installation process. Our blog articles are taken from real world experiences of our clients as we learn what is most important to you. That way, we save you time, money, and prevent headaches, by informing your decision making at every step.
Reach out to Ottawa Deck and Rail today for a free quote and see how glass railings can increase your property value, improve safety, and give your space the modern look it deserves.
