Waterfront homes in Ottawa

Ottawa is built around water. The Ottawa River runs along the northern edge of the city. The Rideau River flows north through the south and east of Ottawa to meet it at Rideau Falls. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs from downtown toward Kingston. Living on or near any of them brings views, paths and paddling close to home. It also brings questions that other properties rarely raise.

Where waterfront homes are found

Riverside living appears in several parts of the city. Rockcliffe Park sits on a bluff above the Ottawa River, and New Edinburgh lies along the Rideau River. Westboro has the Ottawa River pathway on its northern edge. Manotick is a village on the Rideau River, with waterfront homes and larger properties nearby. Each has its own neighbourhood guide.

Many homes are near the water without being on it. Some riverfront land is public parkland, so a house can look onto the river without owning the shore. Confirm what the property includes, and what sits between the lot and the water.

What to consider

Waterfront ownership comes with rules that vary from one address to the next. These are the questions worth asking early.

• Shoreline rules. Conservation authorities regulate building, filling and other work near watercourses and floodplains. On the Rideau Canal, Parks Canada manages the waterway and issues permits for docks and other work at the water’s edge.
• Flood risk. Spring high water has affected some shorelines in the Ottawa area in recent years. Ask for floodplain mapping, the property’s water history and the insurance position.
• Docks and boathouses. Do not assume an existing dock is permitted. Ask for the paperwork.
• Winter. Ice, snow and falling water levels change how a property is used. Ask how the dock and the shoreline are managed once the cold arrives.
• Services. Some riverside properties use a private well and septic system. These call for their own inspections and records.

Whenever a rule matters to your plans, confirm with the relevant authority. Your lawyer and inspector should hear about it before your conditions end.

How Poonam helps

Poonam can walk you through the neighbourhoods on the water, explain what to ask for each address and help you plan the due diligence into your offer. For owners selling a waterfront home, she advises on presentation, from the view to the approach from the road, and on what documents buyers will want to see.

When a waterfront address is on your shortlist, ask Poonam to help you request the floodplain mapping, dock permits and shoreline records from the seller.