11 things that will cost more in the 2026 City of Ottawa draft budget

The sign outside City Hall in Ottawa (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa taxpayers are facing a 3.75 per cent property tax increase next year, along with an increase in transit fares, recreation fees, and water and garbage services.

• Ottawa taxpayers facing 3.75 per cent property tax hike, 2.5 per cent OC Transpo fare increase in 2026

A 3.75 per cent property tax increase would add $166 to the average property tax bill, while water rates will increase an average of $47.30 in 2026 and the solid waste services fee will add $24 to the tax bill.

• Ottawa police budget proposes 5% increase in funding, hiring 25 new officers

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at 11 things that will cost more under the 2026 City of Ottawa budget.

OC Transpo fares

OC Transpo fares will increase 2.5 per cent in the 2026 budget, if approved by council.

Here is a look at the proposed fare increases:

• Adult monthly pass: $138.50/month ($135 in 2025)
• U-Pass: $60.17 per month ($58.70 per month currently)
• Senior monthly pass: $59.75 ($58.25 in 2025)
• 3-day pass: $30.75 ($30 in 2025)
• 5-day pass: $49 ($47.75 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by card): $4.10 ($4 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by cash): $4.15 ($4.05 in 2025)
• Senior single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $3.28 ($3.20 in 2025)
• Pre-teen single ride fare (paid by e-purse: $2.05 ($2 in 2025)

The EquiPass and Community monthly passes will remain the same as 2025 rates.

Recreation fees

The 2026 City of Ottawa budget proposes increasing recreation fees by three per cent in 2026.

Here is a look at some of the rate increases:

• Arena rental – adult: $351.75 an hour ($341.67 in 2025)
• Arena rental – minor: $210.85 an hour ($204.81 in 2025)
• Arena rental-commercial: $362.05 ($351.58 in 2025)
• Arena rental – non-prime time: $164.03 ($159.33 in 2025)
• Artificial turf – adult: $147.16 ($142.94 in 2025)
• Sports fields/ball diamonds – adult: $21.05-$51.59 ($20.45-$50.11 in 2025)
• Sports fields/ball diamonds – minor: $6.64-$10.01 ($6.45-$9.72 in 2025)
• Aquatics – Learn to Swim: $5.44-$33.88 ($5.28-$32.91 in 2025)
• Memberships – museum: $50.68 ($39.51 in 2025)

Fees for Lansdowne, museums, museum admission, Nepean Sportsplex will also increase three per cent.

Parking permits

Motorists will be paying more for on-street parking permits in 2026.

• Residential parking permit annual fee: Up $22 to $792 a year.
• Residential parking permit - summer: Increasing $1 to $37 a month.
• Residential parking permit - winter: Up $5 to $172 a month.
• Residential parking permits - week or less. Summer: Up $0.25 to $9.25
• Residential parking permits - week or less. Winter: Up $1.25 to $43.

Staff are also proposing an increase in the maximum hourly rate for municipal parking lots in the City of Ottawa. According to the draft 2026 budget, the maximum hourly off-street rate in all lots for a maximum of 30 minutes will be $8 ($6.50 in 2025), while the maximum daily rate will jump $1 to $26.

Water, garbage fees increasing

According to the 2026 draft budget, it will cost more to turn on the taps and flush the toilet next year.

The Long-Range Financial Plan for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater proposes a 4.5 per cent increase for rate-supported water and wastewater services. The estimated single family connected home will pay an extra $47.30 in 2026.

The solid waste services fee is expected to increase $2 a month on the tax bill. The average property taxpayer will pay $267 for solid waste services in 2026.

First Aid Courses

The cost of first aid courses will increase 3.3 per cent in 2026, according to the budget.

• Standard First Aid Certification (two-day course): $155.40 ($150.50 in 2025)
• Standard First Aid Recertification (one-day course): $102.55 ($99.30 in 2025)
• Emergency First Aid Recertification (one-day course): $102.55 ($99.30 in 2025)
• First Aid Instructor Certification (two-day course): $264.70 ($256.35 in 2025)

Ottawa police fees

The Ottawa Police Service proposes increases in police record checks and motor vehicle collision reports.

Here is a look at some of the fee increases:

• Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Employment: $74 ($72 in 2025)
• Police Records Check – Adoption: $122 ($118 in 2025)
• Police Records Check – Pardon Applicants: $74 ($72 in 2025)
• Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check: $74 ($72 in 2025)
• Motor Vehicle Collision Reports (Freedom of Information request): $222.50 ($214,98 in 2025)
• Occurrence Report: $66 ($64 in 2025)
• Impound Recovery Fee: $205 ($200 in 2025)
• False Alarm Fee: $182 ($176 in 2025)

Short-term rentals

The operators of short-term rentals will be paying more for a licence in 2026.

The budget proposes an 8.3 per cent increase in the application/renewal processing fee to $65, and the two-year host permit fee will jump $2 to $58.

Business licencing

The 2026 City of Ottawa budget proposes increasing in business licencing.

The application processing fee will increase $5 to $65.

Licencing fees will increase between 3 per cent and 12 per cent.

The licence for a rickshaw operator will increase $2 to $57.

Patio permit fees

Restaurants and cafes will be paying more for outdoor patios in 2026.

The draft budget proposes increasing the permit processing fee $3 to $79 in 2026.

The cost of an outdoor patio will increase to $16.49 per sq. m. from $15.91 in 2025, while the winter monthly rental rate will increase from $5.13 per sq. m. to $5.31 next year.

Municipal Accommodation Tax

Visitors staying in hotels will be paying more in 2026 to fund tourism in Ottawa.

The 2026 budget proposes increasing the Municipal Accommodation Tax by one per cent to six per cent on Jan. 1, 2026.

A total of $2 million will go towards the Lansdowne 2.0 project. The remaining $3 million from the Municipal Accommodation Tax increase will support city tourism priorities.

Saying, “I Do”

The cost to get married will increase in the City of Ottawa in 2026.

The 2026 budget proposes increasing the cost of a marriage license to $192.14, up from $186.55 in 2025.

Civil marriages at Ottawa City Hall will increase three per cent. According to the budget, the Option A: Monday to Friday civil marriage during business hours will cost $168 in 2026, up from $163.18 in 2025.

The Option B: Friday evening and Saturday afternoons civil marriage will cost $252, up from $244.72 in 2025.

The cost of a death registration will jump from $52.28 to $54.