Know what matters
Know what applies to your project.
Check the conditions below before you finalize the scope. Every answer connects to an official source.
Aurora lists wooden decks with no roof and a finished level not greater than 0.6 m above adjacent finished grade as permit-exempt.
Source · Town of Aurora
Applications, Permits and Inspections · Permit exemptions for decks, accessory buildings and basement work
Verified Oct 2, 2026Open official sourceAurora publishes a dedicated deck project page for designs outside the simple low uncovered-deck exemption.
Source · Town of Aurora
The Town states that permit-exempt projects still need to comply with the Aurora Zoning By-law.
Source · Town of Aurora
Applications, Permits and Inspections · Permit exemptions for decks, accessory buildings and basement work
Verified Oct 2, 2026Open official sourceMake a start
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Plan ahead
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From reading to doing
Your next steps.
- Measure height above adjacent finished grade
- Confirm whether the deck is uncovered
- Check zoning
- Use Aurora’s deck permit route if the exemption does not apply
Trace the evidence
Official sources behind this guide.
These are the source documents linked in the rules above. Check the municipal authority for current requirements before submitting a project.
- Town of Aurora
Applications, Permits and Inspections · Permit exemptions for decks, accessory buildings and basement work
Source verified Oct 2, 2026
- Town of Aurora
Decks · Deck permit, zoning and submission requirements
Source verified Oct 2, 2026
A little more clarity
Common questions.
Do you need a permit for a deck in Aurora?
An uncovered wooden deck at or below 0.6 m above adjacent finished grade can be permit-exempt. Higher or otherwise regulated decks need review.
What should I prepare for deck in Aurora?
Start with Site plan; Deck dimensions and height; Permit application where required; Construction drawings where required. Confirm the final submission requirements with Aurora for the actual scope.
What should I do before starting this project in Aurora?
Measure height above adjacent finished grade. Confirm whether the deck is uncovered. Check zoning. Use Aurora’s deck permit route if the exemption does not apply.
Know the approval terms
The permit decision can involve more than one rule.
Use these plain-language definitions to understand the conditions above, then check the official source for your municipality.
Setback
A setback is the required distance between a building or structure and a property line, street, another feature or another regulated reference point.
Lot coverage
Lot coverage is a zoning measurement describing how much of a lot is occupied by buildings or structures under the applicable municipal rules.
Building permit
A municipal approval required before certain construction, alteration, demolition or change-of-use work can proceed. The permit review checks the proposed work against the Ontario Building Code, local zoning and other applicable law.
Same project, different city
See how this rule changes across Ontario.
Compare the source-reviewed answer for this project across every municipality BuildRules currently covers.
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