By Jason Polonski, REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty · Last updated: October 2026
Westboro infill homes are newly built houses on lots where an older home was torn down or a lot was split, and Westboro is one of the most active infill areas in Ottawa. Most are modern semi-detached pairs, single detached rebuilds and small multi-unit buildings set between the neighbourhood’s original 1900s to 1960s houses. They suit buyers who want Westboro’s location with new-build systems, open layouts and finished basements, and who are prepared to pay a premium for both.
Buying infill is not the same as buying in a suburban subdivision. Every house is different, the builder may be a small firm, and the quality range is wide. This guide covers what you are buying, how warranties work, what to inspect, and what to know if you plan to build yourself. For the neighbourhood overview, see the Westboro real estate and neighbourhood guide.
What Types of Infill Homes Are Built in Westboro?
Westboro’s original lots were laid out for modest houses, so most infill is about fitting more modern living space onto those lots.
Semi-detached pairs on split lots
The most common pattern is a wide lot severed into two narrower lots, each with one half of a semi-detached house or a narrow detached home. These are usually three storeys with a rooftop or upper-floor terrace, an attached or front garage, and a finished basement. They offer the most new-build space for the money in the neighbourhood.
Single detached rebuilds
On wider lots, an older bungalow is replaced by one larger detached house. These tend to be the highest-priced infill homes, often custom built for an owner and later resold. Finishes and construction quality vary the most here. Single rebuilds are especially common just west and south of Westboro, in McKellar Park and Glabar Park, where original 1950s homes sit on generous lots.
Small multi-unit buildings
Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law 2026-50 is designed to allow more homes on residential lots, including low-rise buildings with several units. Expect to see more triplexes, fourplexes and small apartment buildings in Westboro, which matters both to buyers of those units and to anyone buying next door.
If you want new construction with less maintenance and a lower price point, compare these options with Westboro condos.
Buying a Finished Westboro Infill Home From a Builder
Many infill homes are built on speculation and sold when finished or near completion. Before you sign, confirm three things.
Is the builder licensed?
Anyone who builds or sells a new home in Ontario must be licensed by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority. The HCRA advises buyers to confirm the licence and the builder’s record in the Ontario Builder Directory before signing.
Is the home enrolled with Tarion?
New homes from licensed builders carry statutory warranty coverage through Tarion, including longer coverage for major structural defects. Read our guide to the Tarion warranty in Ottawa so you know what is covered, what is not, and the deadlines for submitting claims.
What does the agreement say?
Builder agreements are written for the builder. Look closely at the closing date and how it can move, what finishes are included, deposit protection, and how HST and any rebates are handled. Our guide to the GST/HST new home rebate explains how pricing usually works.
A home that is a few years old is a resale purchase, but if it is still within its Tarion warranty period, the remaining coverage stays with the house. Ask the seller for the warranty records and any outstanding claims.
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What to Inspect in a Westboro Infill Home
New does not mean problem-free. Infill homes are built on tight urban lots, often quickly, and the issues that show up years later tend to be the same few. A professional home inspection is just as important on a new infill home as on a 1940s bungalow.
Grading and drainage
With two houses on a lot that once held one, there is little room for water to drain away. Check that the ground slopes away from the foundation, that downspouts discharge well clear of both houses, and that side-yard drainage does not send water toward a neighbour’s wall or into your window wells.
Basement waterproofing and sump systems
Most infill homes have deep, fully finished basements. Ask what waterproofing was used, whether there is a sump pump and backwater valve, and whether there have been any water claims. Finished walls hide problems, so look for staining at baseboards and around the mechanical room.
Building envelope and mechanicals
Window and terrace-door flashing, rooftop terrace membranes, and attic ventilation are common trouble spots on three-storey designs. Confirm the heating and cooling system is sized for three floors, not just installed. Health Canada recommends testing every home for radon, new builds included; see our guide to radon in Ottawa homes.
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Buying a Westboro Lot or Tear-Down to Build
Some buyers skip the builder and buy an older house to replace. This can produce the exact home you want on the street you want, but the rules and costs need to be checked before you make an offer, not after.
Check the zoning first
Ottawa City Council enacted the new Zoning By-law 2026-50 on March 11, 2026. After an Ontario Land Tribunal decision in July 2026, most of it is in force, but provisions under appeal still default to the more restrictive of the old and new rules, according to the City’s zoning project page. Look up the specific lot on geoOttawa and confirm with a planner what you can build.
Severances and minor variances
Splitting a lot or building outside the zoning rules requires approval from the Committee of Adjustment. Neighbours can comment and appeal, and the process adds months. Our guide to land severance in Ottawa walks through the steps.
Trees
Westboro’s mature trees are part of its value, and the City protects them. Under the Tree Protection By-law, trees 30 cm or more in diameter on urban lots of one hectare or less are distinctive trees that need a permit to remove. Infill removals carry higher permit fees and require two or three replacement trees for each one removed, depending on its size. A large tree in the wrong spot can change your whole design.
Build with a licensed builder
If you own the land and hire a builder, the home can still be covered by Tarion as a contract home, provided the builder is licensed and you do not take control of the construction yourself, as Tarion explains. Owner-built homes are not covered. Plan for a realistic schedule with our new home building timeline.
Budget for more than the lot
The price of the house you plan to replace is only the starting point. Budget for demolition and permit fees, design and engineering, tree permits and replacement trees, new water and sewer connections, development charges if you are adding units, HST on new construction, and the cost of carrying the property while you wait for approvals. Ask your builder for a written estimate of these items before you commit, and keep a contingency for surprises in the ground. A careful budget is the difference between a dream build and a project that runs out of money halfway through.
Infill vs Character Home vs Condo in Westboro
Most Westboro buyers end up comparing three paths. An infill home gives you new systems, modern space and warranty coverage at the top of the price range. A character home gives you a bigger lot, mature trees and charm, with more maintenance and some older-home risks; see buying a character home in Westboro. A condo gives you the location at a lower entry price with shared maintenance.
For a wider look at the trade-offs, read new build vs resale.
Do Infill Homes Hold Their Value in Westboro?
Well-built infill homes in good locations are consistently in demand in Westboro, because they offer something the older housing stock cannot: a new house within walking distance of Richmond Road and the river. Resale value depends heavily on build quality and design, though. Buyers notice cheap finishes, cramped stairs and dark middle floors.
The homes that resell best tend to have sensible layouts, quality windows and mechanicals, real outdoor space, and parking that works on a narrow lot. If you own an older home on a good lot, what’s my Westboro home worth? explains how builders value land. When pricing an infill purchase, compare against recent sales of similar homes on similar streets, not against the neighbourhood average. You can watch current inventory on Westboro homes for sale, and CMHC publishes useful market and housing-supply research.
Why Westboro Infill Buyers Work With Jason Polonski
Jason Polonski is a REALTOR® with more than 15 years of experience and a background in construction and the electrical trades. On an infill showing, he looks at what most buyers cannot see from the finishes: how the lot drains, how the mechanical room was put together, whether the electrical panel and wiring match the size of the house, and where a three-storey design is likely to leak first.
He helps you check builder licensing and warranty status, reviews builder agreements with you before you sign, and prices offers against genuinely comparable sales. If you are selling a home to move into infill, he coordinates both sides so you are not carrying two properties. Learn more about Jason, see reviews on his Google Business Profile, or visit the Westboro REALTOR® page.
Jason has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers across Ottawa and is a Chairman’s Club award winner (2025, 2021). Call or text (613) 601-9333 to talk about a Westboro infill home or lot.
See also: our Westboro real estate guide.
Westboro Infill Homes FAQs
An infill home is a new house built on an existing urban lot, usually after an older home is demolished or the lot is split. In Westboro, most infill is modern semi-detached pairs, single detached rebuilds and small multi-unit buildings.
New homes from HCRA-licensed builders are covered by Tarion. If you buy a resale infill home that is still within its warranty period, the remaining coverage stays with the house.
Possibly, but it depends on the lot’s zoning, frontage and depth. Splitting a lot needs a severance from the Committee of Adjustment, so check the zoning on geoOttawa and speak with a planner before buying.
Zoning By-law 2026-50 is designed to allow more homes on residential lots, including small multi-unit buildings. Most of it is in force, but some provisions remain under appeal, so confirm the rules for a specific lot.
Trees 30 cm or more in diameter on urban lots need a City permit to remove. Infill removals carry higher fees and require replacement trees, so plan around large trees early.
Focus on lot grading and drainage, basement waterproofing, window and terrace flashing, attic ventilation and how the heating and cooling system is sized. Get a professional inspection even on a brand-new home.
Well-designed, well-built infill homes tend to stay in demand because they combine new construction with a walkable location. Build quality and layout drive resale value more than size alone.
