Helping Ottawa businesses and communities thrive
This feature story is part of the “Your priorities in action” series, highlighting real progress the City is making on improving daily life in Ottawa and delivering its Term of Council priorities.
From cutting red tape to streamlining services, the City is making it easier for businesses and communities to succeed.
Record-level support for Ottawa businesses
Ottawa’s technology sector is driving record business growth, with more businesses than ever choosing to establish themselves here. In 2025, the City issued nearly 12,000 business licences – our highest annual number to date.
To support businesses as they grow and develop, Council recently approved a new Licensing By-law↗ that modernizes business licensing rules and streamlines processes. The By-law removes more than 100 pages of regulations, reducing the burden on local businesses to review and comply with requirements.
We have expanded online services to improve access and help business owners save time. Through our new digital permit management system, businesses can submit, pay for and track building permit applications without having to visit a Client Service Centre.
We have also streamlined planning and development approvals to help businesses move projects forward in record time.
Supporting events and local economic activity
The City is making it easier for businesses to organize and participate in large events. The new Special Events By-law↗ centralizes event administration and coordination, streamlining planning and permit processes for events with over 500 participants.
It also reduces red tape for bars and restaurants by removing the requirement for a City license for events already approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The By-law provides greater flexibility to accommodate weather delays and unforeseen circumstances through extended noise exemptions and makes it easier for food trucks and mobile vendors to take part in block parties, festivals, and night markets.
Enhanced everyday service
We are improving the services businesses and communities rely on daily. Through the City of Ottawa Service Reviews↗, we have identified more than $252.7 million in internal efficiencies, allowing us to reinvest in priority areas while minimizing the need to increase taxes. We have improved 3-1-1 call routing so that when you call the City, it takes less time to get the information you need.
We are also making it easier to find information online through enhancements to ottawa.ca↗, including redesigned content, new tools and the removal of duplicate information.
Parking dispute resolution times have also been reduced by nearly 90 per cent, helping ensure disputes are resolved more quickly and effectively.
These improvements are a direct result of the valuable feedback we heard during the Service Reviews. We could not have made these changes without the support of businesses and residents like you.
We will continue listening to your priorities and taking action to help businesses and communities succeed.
Background: “Your priorities in action” series
Over the past three years, the City of Ottawa has been focused on delivering its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan↗, turning priorities into results that residents can see and feel every day.
To support the implementation of the plan, the City launched Your city, your ideas: City of Ottawa Service Reviews↗ in 2023, inviting residents to share ideas on how to improve services and find efficiencies. Since then, the City has received thousands of ideas and is making real progress in improving residents’ day-to-day lives. This series is focused on sharing some of these ideas and initiatives.