Riverside South, south Ottawa
Decks and porches in Riverside South
On Riverside South's townhouse and semi-detached streets, the rear deck is often the main outdoor space, and many builder decks may now be due for replacement. A deck more than 600 mm above the ground needs a building permit.
Typical raised deck in Riverside South, with HST $21,200 to $27,800 $88 to $116 per sq ft for 240 sq ft
Stock photoWhat decks and porches cost in Riverside South
Typical project totals and the price per square foot, with HST, by type of job and finish level, priced for suburban Ottawa. Choose a row to open it in the estimator with Riverside South prices.
| Type of deck or porch | Pressure-treated decking | Cedar decking | Composite decking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground-level deck200 sq ft | $9,900 to $13,100$50 to $66 per sq ft | $12,500 to $16,400$63 to $82 per sq ft | $15,600 to $20,500$78 to $103 per sq ft |
| Raised deck240 sq ft | $16,400 to $21,500$68 to $90 per sq ft | $21,200 to $27,800$88 to $116 per sq ft | $27,900 to $36,600$116 to $153 per sq ft |
| Upper-level deck200 sq ft | $20,300 to $26,700$102 to $134 per sq ft | $25,500 to $33,400$128 to $167 per sq ft | $32,700 to $42,800$164 to $214 per sq ft |
| Covered front porch100 sq ft | $18,800 to $24,500$188 to $245 per sq ft | $23,500 to $30,800$235 to $308 per sq ft | $30,300 to $39,700$303 to $397 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 Riverside South include about 2% over central Ottawa for travel and delivery.
Homes in Riverside South
What the local housing means for decks and porches.
The community was built by a small number of developers, among them Urbandale, Richcraft and Claridge, first under a 1992 Gloucester plan and then under City plans from 2005. The 2009 plan aimed for a mix of about 42% singles and semis, 37.5% townhouses and the rest stacked townhouses and apartments. Honey Gables, three streets on the west side of River Road, dates from about 1950.
- Kitchens and bathrooms from the late 1990s and 2000s are reaching the age when cabinets, counters, tubs and vanities get replaced.
- Singles, semis and townhouses are the types the City allows to host a secondary suite, so basement suites come up often.
- On townhouse streets a rear deck is often the main outdoor space; additions are more realistic on detached lots.
Permits and approvals
What to check in Riverside South before decks and porches work starts. Rules change, so we confirm what applies to your address.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Riverside South lies along the Rideau River and Mosquito Creek, both in the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's area. RVCA mapped the Rideau's flood and slope hazards in 2017 and has extended its Mosquito Creek mapping in and around the community. RVCA treats work inside the existing walls, roof and foundation that does not change the use as generally not needing its approval; enlarging the house, changing its use or adding a unit does.
Decks and porches
An attached deck needs a building permit when its surface is more than 600 mm (about 24 inches) above the ground, or when it is the main way into the house. A freestanding deck needs one when it is larger than 10 square metres (about 108 sq ft) and more than 600 mm up. Porches generally need a permit when they are larger than 10 square metres.
Trees
On urban lots of one hectare or less, the City's Tree Protection By-law requires a permit to remove or injure a distinctive tree, which the current by-law sets at 30 cm or more across at chest height. Footings and trenches near big trees are planned around their roots. The thresholds have changed in recent years, so we check the by-law in force.
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 deck or porch, priced task by task. Open it, then change it to suit a house in Riverside South.
Good to know
How much does a deck or porch cost in Riverside South?
A cedar raised deck of about 240 sq ft typically comes to $21,200 to $27,800 with HST, based on published Ottawa and Ontario price guides checked October 2026. With pressure-treated decking the same job is about $16,400 to $21,500; with composite decking, about $27,900 to $36,600. 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.
Does Mosquito Creek affect what I can build?
If your lot is inside the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's regulated area along the creek or the river, enlarging the house, changing its use or adding a unit needs RVCA approval. We check the mapping for your address.
Do you work in all of Riverside South?
Yes, including the older streets of Honey Gables and the new streets east of Limebank Road as they are built. Riverside South addresses are priced at suburban rates in the estimator.
Planning a deck or porch in Riverside South?
Price it in the estimator with Riverside South rates, then send it to us. We confirm the numbers on a site visit and follow up with a written quote.