Riverside South, south Ottawa
Secondary suites in Riverside South
Most Riverside South homes are singles, semis or townhouses, the types the City allows to host a secondary suite, and basement suites have no size limit. A suite needs a building permit, its own entrance and the Building Code requirements for height, exits and fire separation.
Typical secondary suite in Riverside South, with HST $104,900 to $140,700 $150 to $201 per sq ft for 700 sq ft
AI imageWhat secondary suites 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.
| Typical size | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary suite700 sq ft | $85,500 to $114,700$122 to $164 per sq ft | $104,900 to $140,700$150 to $201 per sq ft | $133,900 to $179,600$191 to $257 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 secondary suites.
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 secondary suites 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.
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.
Secondary suites
A suite inside an existing house needs a building permit and has to meet the Building Code for ceiling height, exits, fire separation, windows and alarms, with electrical inspected separately. Basement suites have no size limit, the suite needs its own entrance (not a new door in the front wall), and new parking cannot go in the front yard. On lots with City water and sewer, current rules allow more than one additional unit on most residential lots, so we check what your lot can hold.
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 Riverside South.
Good to know
How much does a secondary suite cost in Riverside South?
A mid-range secondary suite of about 700 sq ft typically comes to $104,900 to $140,700 with HST, based on published Ottawa and Ontario price guides checked October 2026. With basic finishes the same job is about $85,500 to $114,700; with premium finishes, about $133,900 to $179,600. 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.
Is my Riverside South basement ready for a suite?
Often the structure is a good start, but a suite has to meet the Building Code for ceiling height, exits, fire separation and windows, and it needs its own entrance and a building permit. We check the space and the mechanicals on the 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 secondary suite 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.