City services

3-1-1/ServiceOttawa

Residents can access City of Ottawa services from any department through 3-1-1. Requests through 3-1-1 are entered directly into a work management system, allowing for more efficient and timely responses or action to the request.

A separate customer service line for property tax and water bills is also available by calling 613-580-2444.

  • A service request may be opened through any of the following means:

    After opening a service request, you will be provided with a 12-digit service request number, beginning with the year the request was created (eg. SR 202400000000). Please ensure the number is recorded, as it is important for follow-up.

    When opening a service request, be sure to include an address or nearby intersection. You may also be asked for your contact information in case staff need to coordinate a visit or follow-up communication.

    For webform requests in one area but at more than one location (eg. potholes or roadside maintenance along a stretch of road), enter any address or intersection in that stretch and include details of your request in the description field.

  • Residents may check on the status of a service request online↗, by calling 3-1-1, or through their ServiceOttawa account↗. A service request number and contact information will be required to find the request.

    If you feel your request was not fully or properly addressed, or to provide feedback about the service received or the process, please email me at Wilson.Lo@ottawa.ca, and I will follow-up with you and City staff.

  • Teletypewriter (TTY) service is also available for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing at 613-580-2401.

    Interpretation is also available to more than 170 languages upon request. You will be placed in a three-way call with an interpreter and City staff, allowing you to discuss services in the language of your choice.

  • 3-1-1 calls made outside the City of Ottawa’s boundaries may be directed to another municipality’s 3-1-1 service. Requests from outside Ottawa may be made online↗ or by email↗, or by calling 1-866-261-9799.

  • Many services are also available through the ServiceOttawa portal↗, including bill payment, waste collection schedules, corporate communications, and services for businesses. You may also create and track 3-1-1 service requests through the portal.

    Please consider creating an account!

    Services are also available in an app on Android↗ and Apple↗.

By-law

Formally By-law and Regulatory Services, by-law is the City service which enforces Ottawa’s by-laws↗ like parking, noise, property standards and maintenance, animal control, and zoning, among others.

Per the Community Safety and Policing Act↗ (which replaced the Police Services Act in 2024), by-law officers in Ontario are deemed to be peace officers when enforcing local by-laws, meaning they have similar powers as police officers while doing their job.

  • Requests for by-law are processed through 3-1-1. Residents may open a request by calling 3-1-1, completing a webform↗, or by emailing 311@ottawa.ca. Contact information may be required in case an officer needs to follow up. Information you provide is protected by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, unless the matter goes to court.

    When opening a by-law service request, details like a street address, licence plate, or (if by webform and email) a photo are helpful to ensure the officer attends the correct location and to help maximize use of the officer's time.

    Matters requiring immediate attention are best submitted by phone.

  • General descriptions and legal wordings of commonly-requested by-laws are available in both official languages at Ottawa.ca↗.

    Details and questions about by-laws and enforcement may be directed to 3-1-1 or to my office at Wilson.Lo@ottawa.ca.

  • A notice of violation serves as a warning and request for correction by a deadline, especially on a first offence. Warnings do not apply to the enforcement of some regulatory by-laws such as parking infractions.

    Continued violation(s) may result in fines or court proceedings. In some cases, the required corrections may be completed by the City, with the associated costs applied to your property tax bill.

    To discuss a ticket or notice of violation you received, please contact by-law through 3-1-1.

  • Private property owners and parking operators participating in the deputisation program↗ will issue City of Ottawa tickets for parking infractions on their property.

    The programme reduces parking violations through consistent and timely enforcement and reduces the number of by-law officers dispatched to attend private properties which frees resources for other service requests. It also eliminates the use of private ticket-like notices.

Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library (OPL)↗ has over 1.8 million physical and digital items in a variety of formats. Seventy-two per cent of its collection are books, but they also lend musical instruments, telescopes, museum and park passes, and many other items for public use. The OPL also hosts several programmes and events at their branches across the city.

OPL cards are free for Ottawa residents, with fees↗ charged for consumable products (eg. print/copy paper, earbuds), to non-Ottawa residents, and for lost items.

  • Named for the first chair of the former Nepean Public Library, Barrhaven's local library branch is located at the Walter Baker Sports Centre at 100 Malvern Drive.

    Other nearby branches:

  • The Bookmobile↗ is a weekly service that brings the OPL closer to residents. Library users may collect held items or return items on loan at Bookmobile stops. A small collection of new material is also available to browse at each stop.

    There is one Bookmobile stop in Barrhaven East, at Farley Mowat Public School (75 Waterbridge Drive) every Tuesday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Nearby, the Bookmobile also visits the Minto Recreation Complex every Monday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

    Please contact the Bookmobile at Bookmobile@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca or 613-580-2424 ext. 32629 to confirm an item you want is eligible for Bookmobile pickup.

  • Library card holders are eligible for a 20 per cent discount on a City of Ottawa sport and fitness membership. The discount applies to the one-year all-inclusive or one-option (Class A) membership options. Learn more by visiting the City of Ottawa’s sports and fitness fees and membership↗ webpage.

  • Although the OPL is funded by the City, some of the material and services it provides are possible thanks to additional financial and volunteer support↗ from residents.

    The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association↗ is a fundraising group that works to support and promote OPL services, including through used book sales and advocacy during the annual budget process. All library customers are welcome to join.

  • Public libraries in Ontario are created by municipal by-laws and governed by its own board. The OPL Board of Trustees↗ meets regularly throughout the year. Meetings are open to the public (except confidential matters) and residents may address the board by public delegation.

    Trustees are appointed by City Council at the beginning of each term and as needed, consisting of city councillors and public members.

Police

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS)↗ is the police force of jurisdiction in the City of Ottawa and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies operating in the city, including special constables, military police, the RCMP, the Parliamentary Protective Service, and the OPP.

  • Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

    Aside from incident reporting, filing a report↗ is an effective tool in guiding the OPS's enforcement efforts. A police report may be filed online↗ or by calling 613-236-1222 ext. 7300. Your contact information will be required.

    To share a tip anonymously, please contact the Crime Stoppers online↗ or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

    Please note City Councillors are prohibited from directing police operations, and can only share resident feedback for consideration.

  • The OPS provides record and background checks↗ for residents in Ottawa. Depending on the purpose of the check, there may be a fee for the service.

  • The community safety data portal↗ is a new tool which provides an overview of police activity and other information of interest to the community.

  • The victim support unit↗ ensures supports and services are provided to victims or survivors of crime and tragic circumstances in a timely manner through crisis intervention, assessment, and referrals to appropriate community resources.

    The unit works with Ottawa Victim Services↗, a community-based non-profit organization that delivers on-scene response and follow-up services to victims/survivors of crime.

  • Automated enforcemen↗t cameras are used for red light and speeding enforcement at select locations↗ across the City.

    Automated speed enforcement cameras are located in community safety zones, which are near schools, parks, recreation centres, and other areas with many vulnerable road users.

    Red light camera locations are determined by collision data.

    All tickets issued by automated enforcement are reviewed by a provincial offences officer before it is mailed to the registered owner of the licence plate.

  • Police services across Ontario are under the command of the police chief and governed by a police service board.

    The Ottawa Police Service Board↗ ensures adequate and effective policing is provided, sets overall objectives in consultation with the chief, approves the annual police budget, and prepares strategic plans for the police service. They are also responsible for hiring and monitoring the police chief.

    The board consists of three members of City Council, three provincial appointees, and one community member appointed by the City.

    Meetings are open to the public (except confidential matters) and residents may address the board by public delegation.

Public health

Ottawa Public Health (OPH)↗ is the public health unit for the City of Ottawa and administers health programming such as communicable disease control, food premise inspection, and health education.

  • Services provided by OPH include public health inspections, dental services, sexual health clinics, quit smoking services, and parenting and prenatal services, among many others. Learn more↗ about OPH's full slate of services and how to connect with them.

    OPH's website also includes many pages of resources on various public health topics↗, as well as information for professionals and partners↗.

  • OPH maintains a page with COVID-19 resources and information↗, including testing and isolation instructions, vaccination information and booking, and the latest news and data, plus local statistics↗.

  • Like all public health units in Ontario, the OPH is overseen by Public Health Ontario↗ and supervised by a local board of health.

    Ottawa Board of Health↗ members are appointed by City Council at the beginning of each term and as needed. Board members consist of city councillors and public members.

    Meetings are open to the public (except confidential matters) and residents may address the board by public delegation.

Public transit

OC Transpo↗ is a service of the City of Ottawa, providing conventional and door-to-door para transit services. It also operates and maintains park and rides, transit facilities and roadways, and bus stops across the city.

OC Transpo and Para Transpo↗ share a centralised customer service↗ phone line at 613-560-5000. Residents and customers may also reach out by webform↗, while Para Transpo customers may text 57272 for trip and service inquiries from 6:00 am to 12:30 am.

  • Bus

    Every bus route in Barrhaven flows partially or wholly through Barrhaven East. Use OC Transpo's travel planner↗ for schedule details, bus stop locations, and to plan your trip.

    High schools

    Service for high school students consists of regular routes, special trips on regular routes, and school-specific 600-series routes. Click here↗ or use the travel planner↗ for services available at local high schools.

    O-Train

    Bus routes 73, 74, 75, 80, and the 270-series connect to O-Train Line 1↗ at Tunney's Pasture for continuing service into downtown, uOttawa, and the east end of the city.

    Transitway

    The Transitway is a dedicated bus-only roadway which separates buses from regular traffic. Most of the southwest Transitway is in Barrhaven East, with stations at Fallowfield↗, Longfields↗, and Strandherd↗. Additionally, Beatrice↗ and Nepean Woods↗ stations are on the Chapman Mills busway.

  • OC Transpo offers free parking at major transit stations across the City of Ottawa, including at three locations in Barrhaven East.

    Park and rides are equipped with call boxes and camera surveillance, and are patrolled by OC Transpo special constables. Click here↗ to find park and ride lots elsewhere in the city or to learn more about the service.

    Fallowfield

    Bus routes 73, 74, 75, 110, 170, 171, 173, 270, 271, 272, 273, 277, 278
    Bus stop schedule↗
    Park and Ride map↗

    Located near Fallowfield/Woodroffe, Fallowfield is Barrhaven's largest park and ride with over 1,700 spaces. Secure bicycle parking, accessible spaces, and EV charging stations are also available.

    Nepean Woods

    Bus routes 74, 80, 99
    Bus stop schedule↗
    Park and ride map↗

    Nepean Woods Park and Ride is located on Strandherd east of Woodroffe and has 278 spaces, with local bus connections.

    Strandherd

    Bus routes 75, 170, 171 (271, 273 on Berrigan)
    Bus stop schedule↗
    Park and ride map↗

    Strandherd Park and Ride is located behind the Canadian Tire and Farm Boy commercial plazas. There are 246 spaces, eight accessible spaces, and secure bicycle parking. Bus services includes Transitway service towards Tunney's Pasture and a few local routes.

  • Para Transpo↗ is a shared, booking-based public transit service open to eligible customers who are unable to use buses and the O-Train some or all of the time due to a disability.

    Para Transpo provides minibus and contracted taxi services in Ottawa’s urban communities, with limited service to/from rural areas and Hull.

  • The bus network realignment is an exercise at Council’s request to better match transit service to the travel patterns that have changed over the last few years and stabilised only recently.

    This includes putting higher emphasis on local travel, easier trips to destinations outside downtown (like employment nodes, shopping areas, and Carleton University), and introducing service to new communities.

    As the changes in Barrhaven are also centred around the pending opening of O-Train Line 2, the realigned bus network will launch only after Line 2 opens for service.

    In the meantime, residents may learn more about the realigned network on OC Transpo's new ways to bus↗ webpage.

  • Confederation Line - Lines 1 and 3

    The Confederation Line's western extension↗ will extend LRT service from its current terminus at Tunney's Pasture to Baseline and Moodie stations. The future line will split into two branches west of Lincoln Fields Station, with future Line 3 heading west to Moodie, and Line 1 continuing south to Baseline.

    Local bus services ending at Fallowfield Station will likely be extended to Baseline concurrently with the opening of the new service, currently anticipated in late-2026 or early-2027.

    Trillium Line - Lines 2 and 4

    Meanwhile, construction is mostly complete on the Trillium Line upgrades and southern extensions↗ to Riverside South and new spur line to the airport. Finalisation works, permitting, and trial running are underway, towards an optimal timeline of an autumn 2024 opening.

    Line 2 includes a large park and ride at Bowesville Station. The realigned bus network↗ launches after Line 2 opens, with several Barrhaven bus routes changing to connect with the line at Limebank Station.

Recreation and parks

Hundreds of aquatic, sport and fitness, courses and camps, and other recreation activities at facilities in Barrhaven and across the City are managed and operated by Recreation, Culture, and Facilities Services.

The department also plans the City’s parks and amenities.

  • Residents can browse activity offerings for the upcoming season about two weeks before registration begins. Some programming, like March Break and summer camps, are listed further in advance. No account is required to browse activity and programming offerings.

    Upcoming listing and registration dates are posted online in advance. General information about the full slate of programmes the City offers is available online.

  • Recreation is made as accessible to everybody as possible through a slate of subsidies, partnerships, and other special offers.

    Inclusive recreation

    Staff in the inclusive recreation unit help individuals integrate into programming and activities through customised adaptations and supports. Specialised adapted programs are also offered.

    Financial options

    • Hand in Hand - financial assistance and subsidy (must be a City of Ottawa resident)

    • Play Free - free activity offerings for youth aged 17 and younger and an accompanying adult

    • Scheduled payments - call 613-580-2424 ext. 29283 for options to help with paying for recreation activities

    Youth workout pass

    In partnership with Tony Graham Automotive Group, the youth workout pass offers a free weight and cardio-room membership to youth in Ottawa ages 13 through 17 that will be valid July and August.

    Older adults

    Many activities are also available for older adults, including registered and drop-in aquatics, fitness, and courses.

  • Recreation facilities and community buildings are available for rent for meetings, birthday parties, and other community events.

    Local recreation facilities include:

    Community buildings in Barrhaven East:

    Parks and sports fields are also available for rent.

  • Barrhaven East boasts many parks, from central district parks with several amenities like Ken Ross Park to small corner parks like Knowlton Park. Officially, parks are closed from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am, unless posted otherwise.

    Parks and sports fields are also available for rent, subject to conditions.

    Not all parks permit dogs, while others permit dogs on a leash. Check your local park's classification here. Currently, there are no fenced off-leash dog parks in Barrhaven, but we are working on it!

Septic office

The Ottawa Septic System Office↗ is the local regulator that enforces relevant rules and regulations, which in turn is administered by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority↗. Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code↗ speaks to septic systems approvals.

The regulations apply to communities in the ward without municipal sewage services, mainly Hearts Desire and Rideau Glen and some surrounding lots.

  • The Ottawa Septic System Office's website↗ has forms, process information, fee schedules, and other information residents with septic systems need to ensure compliance with regulations when installing, maintaining, or decommissioning a septic system.

    Residents may contact them at septic@rvca.ca or 613-692-3571.

  • Residents or whole neighbourhoods on well and septic systems may want to connect to municipal water and/or sewer services instead. Requests usually coincide with a costly life-cycle investment (eg. septic replacement) or a change in community mentality.

    To do so, a local improvement↗ process must be initiated, whereby interested residents petition the City for upgrades. Costs are shared among all property owners that will benefit from the project.

    The local improvement process can also be initiated for sound barriers, roads, ditch alterations, and sidewalks. The City administers the process, which must be done in accordance within municipal, provincial, and federal legislation, regulation, and guidelines. Although it is initiated by residents, all local improvements require approval from the City.