Greely, rural south-east Ottawa
Secondary suites in Greely
Because almost every Greely lot is on a private well and septic system, a house can have one additional unit, and the City asks owners to confirm with the Ottawa Septic System Office that the septic can carry it. Shadow Ridge Estates, on a communal system, is the main exception.
Typical secondary suite in Greely, with HST $107,800 to $144,500 $154 to $206 per sq ft for 700 sq ft
AI imageWhat secondary suites cost in Greely
Typical project totals and the price per square foot, with HST, by type of job and finish level, priced for rural Ottawa. Choose a row to open it in the estimator with Greely prices.
| Typical size | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary suite700 sq ft | $87,900 to $117,900$126 to $168 per sq ft | $107,800 to $144,500$154 to $206 per sq ft | $138,000 to $185,000$197 to $264 per sq ft |
Prices are estimates based on published Ottawa and Ontario price guides, checked October 2026. They are not an offer. A firm written quote follows a site visit. Prices for Greely include about 5% over central Ottawa for travel and delivery.
Homes in Greely
What the local housing means for secondary suites.
The population rose from about 4,100 in 2004 to about 5,430 by the end of 2010, with the City issuing an average of 81 building permits a year from 2001 to 2010. Almost all homes are single-detached, and most lots are between half an acre and two acres.
- Because nearly every lot is on a well and septic system, a secondary suite is limited to one additional unit, and new bedrooms or bathrooms start with a septic check.
- Large lots leave room for additions, decks and porches, placed around the well and the septic bed.
- Homes near Shields Creek, the Osgoode Marsh or other wetlands can sit inside a conservation authority's regulated area.
Permits and approvals
What to check in Greely before secondary suites work starts. Rules change, so we confirm what applies to your address.
Conservation authority
South Nation Conservation describes Shields Creek as lying within Greely, in a subwatershed that drains to the South Nation River, so it is likely the authority for most of the village; we check both authorities' mapping by address. SNC permits are needed for development in floodplains, on unstable slopes, in wetlands and within 30 m of a wetland. The 2012 community design plan sets a 30 m setback on each side of Shields Creek and protects the Osgoode Marsh; we confirm whether it applies to a given lot.
Secondary suites on a well and septic system
Greely lots on a private well and septic system can have one additional unit, and the City asks owners to confirm with the Ottawa Septic System Office that the septic system can carry the extra load. Adding bedrooms or bathrooms elsewhere in the house can raise the same question, so the septic check comes before design.
Septic systems
The Ottawa Septic System Office administers the Building Code rules for septic systems in Ottawa: it reviews designs, issues permits for new and replacement systems and inspects them. An addition, a new bathroom or extra bedrooms can mean confirming the existing system's capacity, so we check it before design.
Building permits
The City generally requires a building permit to finish a basement, move or remove walls, alter plumbing, add or enlarge windows and doors, and build an addition. Replacing kitchen cabinets without moving plumbing fixtures usually does not need one. Electrical work is inspected separately by the Electrical Safety Authority.
Zoning
Additions and larger decks have to meet the zoning setbacks, height and lot coverage for your lot. Most of Ottawa's new Zoning By-law 2026-50 is in force (the parts not under appeal took effect from March 2026), and where a provision is still under appeal the stricter of the old and new rules applies, so we check the rules for your address before design starts.
A sample quote
A typical Ottawa secondary suite, priced task by task. Open it, then change it to suit a house in Greely.
Good to know
How much does a secondary suite cost in Greely?
A mid-range secondary suite of about 700 sq ft typically comes to $107,800 to $144,500 with HST, based on published Ottawa and Ontario price guides checked October 2026. With basic finishes the same job is about $87,900 to $117,900; with premium finishes, about $138,000 to $185,000. Size, the state of the house and what you add all move the number, so use the estimator for your own project. A firm quote follows a site visit.
Will my septic system limit my renovation?
It can. Adding a bathroom, bedrooms or a suite on a Greely lot can mean confirming the septic system's capacity with the Ottawa Septic System Office, and sometimes upgrading it. We build that check into the plan before design.
Why are Greely prices higher in the estimator?
Greely is priced at rural rates, about 5% over central Ottawa, mostly for travel and delivery. Septic upgrades and approvals are extra and depend on the lot.
Planning a secondary suite in Greely?
Price it in the estimator with Greely rates, then send it to us. We confirm the numbers on a site visit and follow up with a written quote.