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Clarington Senior Plans Examiner Nirali Bhatt confirmed by email October 30, 2026 that the Ontario Building Code exemption allows storage sheds up to 15 m², while other buildings and accessory structures follow the 10 m² permit threshold. For the shed exemption, ALL conditions of OBC Division C 1.3.1.1.(6) must be met: no more than 15 m² gross area, one storey, detached from every other building or structure, storage use only ancillary to the principal building on the lot, and no plumbing. A 12 m² detached storage-only shed without plumbing can be exempt from a building permit. Clarington’s general Accessory Structures webpage still says construction over 10 m² needs a permit, without explaining the shed exception. Building-permit exemption does not waive Clarington zoning requirements for height, lot coverage, placement or setbacks. Whether separate site-alteration, grading, heritage or other approvals apply was not addressed in the municipal reply; confirm with the City for the specific property.
Clarington Senior Plans Examiner confirmed the Ontario Building Code shed exception October 30, 2026. Division C 1.3.1.1.(6): no more than 15 m² gross area, one storey, detached from all other buildings/structures, ancillary storage use only, and no plumbing. Zoning is still mandatory. The general City webpage says 10 m² for accessory structures without distinguishing this exception.
Structures that do not need a building permit must still comply with local zoning requirements for size, type and location.
Clarington Building Services confirmed October 30, 2026 that buildings other than qualifying storage sheds use the general 10 m² threshold. Check specific uses, plumbing, zoning and other site-specific approvals.
Official sources behind this page
Clarington Senior Plans Examiner confirmed the Ontario Building Code shed exception October 30, 2026. Division C 1.3.1.1.(6): no more than 15 m² gross area, one storey, detached from all other buildings/structures, ancillary storage use only, and no plumbing. Zoning is still mandatory. The general City webpage says 10 m² for accessory structures without distinguishing this exception.
Structures that do not need a building permit must still comply with local zoning requirements for size, type and location.
Clarington Building Services confirmed October 30, 2026 that buildings other than qualifying storage sheds use the general 10 m² threshold. Check specific uses, plumbing, zoning and other site-specific approvals.
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