Here's what will cost more in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget

Ottawa City Hall is seen in this undated file photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the O-Train and buses, have the garbage picked up, turn on the taps, park on city streets and use recreation facilities in 2025.

Council approved the 2025 City of Ottawa budget on Wednesday, which includes a 3.9 per cent property tax hike for most homeowners. The 3.9 per cent property tax increase will add $168 to the average property tax bill in 2025.

The budget also increases user fees for a variety of city services.

CTV News Ottawa looks at things that will cost more in Ottawa next year.

OC Transpo fares

Council approved a five per cent increase in transit fares in the 2025 OC Transpo budget.

Here is a look at the rate increases.

As of Jan. 1, 2025:

As of Feb. 1, 2025:

The 2025 OC Transpo budget eliminates free fares for 11 and 12-year-olds.

The fares for the Community monthly pass, the Access monthly pass and EquiPass remain unchanged in 2025.

The U-Pass will increase 5 per cent on Sept. 1, 2025, contingent upon the completion of consultations with post-secondary institutions and student associations.

Water, wastewater and stormwater fees

The cost to turn on your taps and flush the toilet will increase $43.07 this year.

The 2025 budget includes a two per cent increase for water rates, a three per cent hike in wastewater rates and a 12 per cent jump in stormwater rates.

“The overall increase on the average bill will be 4.4 per cent or $43.07 per year,” Joseph Muhuni, Deputy City Treasurer, told CTV News Ottawa in a statement.

Garbage collection

You will be paying more for household garbage and recycling collection next year.

The 2025 budget increases the solid waste user fees from $145 to $243 for a single-family household. The $243 fee will include the waste diversion tax, which was a separate line in 2024 ($56), as the city shifts to a single-fee system.

The solid waste user fees increase from $91 to $167 for multi-residential households.

Tipping fees for the landfill will increase 10.6 per cent.

Recreation fees

The 2025 budget increases rental and membership fees for arenas and recreation.

Here is a look at the increases:

General admission:

Memberships:

Hourly programming:

Business licensing

The 2025 Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee budget outlines increases of up to seven per cent for business licensing. Here are some of the fee increases:

Mobile refreshment vendors will see licenses increase 2.5 per cent.

The cost of a fireworks permit will increase 2.6 per cent to $79.

First Aid Courses

The cost for first aid training with the City of Ottawa will increase in 2025.

On-street parking rates

The cost to park on city streets and at municipal on-street spaces will increase on Jan. 1, 2025.

The cost of on-street residential parking permits will increase approximately 2.5 to 2.9 per cent. Here is a look at the new rates:

The maximum on-street parking rate will increase from $4.50 to $5. Staff will have the delegated authority to increase parking rates during the year.

The maximum on-street rate for a motorcycle will increase $0.25 to $2.50.

There will be no change in parking rates at City of Ottawa parking lots in 2025.

Ottawa Public Library

The 2025 budget increases the cost of room rentals at Ottawa Public Library branches.

Rental rates will increase 2.5 per cent in hourly rates for commercial and non-profit rentals.

Ottawa Police Service reports

The cost for police record checks will increase in 2025.

Short-term rentals

The cost for a short-term rental permit will increase in 2025.

The cost of an application/renewal processing fee will increase $3 to $60. A host permit fee for two-years will increase 3.7 per cent to $56.

I Do

It will cost you more to say 'I Do' in Ottawa in 2025.

The cost of a marriage licence will increase two per cent to $186.55.

Civil marriages will cost more at Ottawa City Hall next year. The Option 1: Monday to Friday during business hours will now cost $163.18, up from $159.20 in 2024.

The Option 2: Friday evening and Saturday afternoons will cost $163.18, up from $159.20 in 2024.

Death

Death registration fees will increase $1.28 to $52.28.