If approved and implemented, the new rules would ban people from renting their property if it's not their primary residence, and introduce an online permit system for hosts.

"A lot of the homes are still in a position where we tell people: 'Don't remove any of your sandbags, don't stop pumping, it's not time,'" one city official said.

"The city anticipates water levels will rise again slightly between now and Friday but below the peaks that were reached last week."

A week after receiving a report from city staff recommending Ottawa opt in to hosting retail cannabis stores, councillors are expected to decide on Thursday whether to roll out the red carpet for pot shops or take a pass.

Kim Ayotte has 29 years of fire service experience – the last 15 of those spent with Ottawa's fire department, city officials said on Wednesday.