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How do I set up Pre-Authorized Debit for my account or business?

Debit account(s) can be created by logging into your My ServiceOttawa account and accessing the Building, planning and land development widget.

An accessible PDF instructional guide [ PDF 431 KB ](link is external)  and videos have been created to assist you through the process.

[Instrumental music is playing]

[Video: The project logo of LMS is shown.]
[Video: Three videos appear in a split screen showing a construction site worker on a tablet, a man in an office on a laptop with a cell phone in his hand and woman in her home on a laptop, image of ottawa.ca building, planning and construction page, image of My Service Ottawa login page.]

Narrator: Set up a pre-authorized debit account with the bank of your choice, for easy and fast payments through the My Service Ottawa Customer Portal. Log in to Building, Planning and Land Development to get started today.
[Video: My Service Ottawa login page is shown. Username janneetraining@gmail.com is entered along with a password.]
Narrator: After logging in, you will then be brought to the My ServiceOttawa Dashboard. Start by scrolling down to the building, planning and land development service widget. Select the “Apply, manage, and pay for” link. You will be directed to the Building Code Services home page in the LMS Customer Portal.
[Video: LMS Dashboard page is sown. Page scrolls down to Building, Planning and land development widget. Cursor selects highlighted Apply, manage and pay for link],
Narrator: For an individual, customer or property owner, start by selecting your name at the top right corner of the page. From the drop-down menu, select My Profile.
[Video: Building Code Services Home page is shown. Cursor selects Jannee Training, then selects My Profile from the drop-down menu]
Narrator: Next, select the “Banking information” tab. This is where you can choose to set up a pre-authorized debit account.
[Video: My Profile page is shown. Cursor selects highlighted Banking Information tab]
Narrator: Start the process by selecting the “Register new bank account” button.
[Video: Cursor selects highlighted Register New Bank Account button.]
Narrator: A new page will open. Be sure to fill in all the required banking information marked by the red asterisks. This includes Transit Number, Bank or Institution Number, Account Number, Account Nickname, and Cheque Image.
[Video: Register Pre-authorized Debit account page is shown. Transit number, Bank Number, account number, and account nickname are all entered]
Narrator: To upload banking documents, select the icon beside Cheque Image. Select the document from your files and upload it.
[Video: Cursor selects download Cheque then upload the file using the drag-and-drop feature.]
Narrator: When completed, review and accept the terms and conditions by checking the “I Accept” box. Once all the required information has been filled out, select Submit.
Narrator: A new page will open confirming the bank information entered.
[Video: Cursor selects “I accept” checkbox, then Submit]
Narrator: All Pre-Authorized Debit Accounts will have the status of Pending Review and require city staff review and approval before they are activated within the Customer Portal.
Narrator: Next, you will need to select the “return” button. Your Pre-Authorized Debit Accounts will now be shown under Banking Information on the My Profile page. It will include your Account name and Status of Pending Review.
[Video: Cursor select Return button, then selects the Banking Information tab. Pending Review status is highlighted]
Narrator: Once approved, the status of the Pre-Authorized Debit account appears as Manage. If it is NOT approved by City Staff it will no longer be shown on the Banking Information tab.
[Video: Page shows new status of pre-authorized debit account as Active, and the Manage link is also shown.]
Narrator: On the Building Code Services Home page, select the permit you are paying for that has a Payment Due status.
[Video: Building Code Services Home page is shown. Cursor selects the permit hyperlink for CON-2023-001973 that has highlighted Payment Due as a status.
Narrator: Once the Pre-Authorized Debit account has been set up and approved by City staff, the Pay by Bank Account button will be activated for use when making a payment. Select a permit that has a Payment Due status, and then proceed to select the Pay icon. Then, you will be able to view and select the Pay by Bank Account icon.
[Video: Cursor selects the highlighted Pay icon. New page is shown that contains the options to either Pay by Bank Account, which is highlighted, or Pay by Payment Card.]
Narrator: To register your Pre-authorized Debit account as a contractor, start by logging into myservice.ottawa.ca.
[Video: My Service Ottawa login page is shown, where user logs in with business account]

Narrator: Once logged in, you will be brought to the Building Code Services Home page. Navigate to your profile, located in top right corner of the page. From drop down menu, select My Profile.
[Video: Cursor selects LMS Consulting, then selects My Profile from drop down menu]
Narrator: On the Account Profile page, select the Banking Information Tab.
[Video: My Profile page is shown. Cursor selects Banking Information tab]
Narrator: Next, select the “Register new bank account” icon.
[Video: Cursor selects Register new bank account icon. Register Pre-authorized Debit account page is shown.]
Narrator: Enter all of the banking acct info.
[Video: Transit number, Bank Number, account number, and account nickname are all entered]
[Video: Cursor selects download Cheque then upload the file using the drag-and-drop feature.]
Narrator: Review the Terms and Conditions and Select “I Accept”. Select Submit.
[Video: Cursor selects “I accept” checkbox, then Submit]
Narrator: The system will show a status of Pending Review and the request will be reviewed and approved by a city Staff member.
[Video: Cursor select Return button, then selects the Banking Information tab. Pending Review status is highlighted]
Narrator: Once approved, the bank account status will change to Manage and is now set-up for pre-authorized payments for this account.
Video: Page shows new status of pre-authorized debit account as Active, and the Manage link is also shown.]
Narrator: Go to the Home page and select Professional Contractors tab. Select the desired professional contractor
[Video: Home page is selected. Cursor selects the Professionals/Contractors tab then selects LMS Architects Ltd]

Narrator: Select the Associated Accounts Tab and you will see which accounts this contractor is associated with and the ability to manage their account.
[Video: Cursor selects Associated accounts tab.]

Narrator: If the Pay Tab has a check mark, this account holder is able to make payments on behalf of the associated contractor.

Narrator: Ensure that the Professional Contractor accounts are linked in the system using the PIN and that rights have been granted to make payments and perform other duties on behalf of the account holder.
[Video: Associate PIN is highlighted.]

Narrator: From the BCS Home, select the file number for the contractor account that has a payment pending .
[Video: User selects Home page. Cursor then selects application with Payment due status named ABPR-2023-001069 ]

Narrator: Review the details and select PAY.

[Video: Cursor selects highlighted PAY button]

Narrator: Select the Credit Card or Bank Account option and make the payment. Select Submit.
[Video: Cursor selects Pay by Bank account button, then Submit]

Narrator: A payment confirmation will be provided.
[Video: Payment Confirmation page is shown, showing full details of the transaction and its receipt.]
Narrator: After reviewing your Building Code Services application, it is important to log out of your my Service Ottawa account.
Narrator: To learn more, visit Engage.Ottawa.ca Building, Planning and Land Development.
[Video: show the City of Ottawa logo]