Deck permit rules by city | BuildRules

The rule changes by municipality

Start with the city where the property is located.

Barrie, OntarioBarrie provides a dedicated Residential Deck building permit application type for attached or free-standing residential platforms and balconies.

The City portal treats residential decks as their own permit class rather than grouping them into general alterations.

Open Barrie rules

Brampton, OntarioA permit is required when the deck is attached or anchored to the house, or when it is 0.6 metres or more above the ground.

Brampton separates the building-permit trigger from zoning. Even before submitting a permit application, the proposed deck should be checked against the property’s zoning requirements.

Open Brampton rules

Burlington, OntarioBurlington requires a permit when a deck is attached, over 10 m², over 600 mm high, or covered by a roof.

Burlington uses a Pre-Building Approval Application for residential deck projects to review zoning and related City requirements alongside the permit path.

Open Burlington rules

Hamilton, OntarioHamilton requires permits for attached decks and several detached-deck situations based on area, height, roof coverage and access.

Hamilton uses more than one threshold for detached decks, so “under 10 m²” by itself is not enough to decide the permit question. Attachment, grade height, roof coverage and whether the deck serves a door all matter.

Open Hamilton rules

Kitchener, OntarioA deck or porch needs a building permit when it is 24 inches or more above ground at any point or will be covered by a permanent roof.

Kitchener publishes a dedicated residential deck route with site-plan, framing and guard/railing requirements.

Open Kitchener rules

London, OntarioA side or rear deck under 600 mm can be permit-exempt only when it is not attached to the house; an attached low deck still requires a permit.

London combines height and attachment in its homeowner guidance and also publishes zoning setback information for decks.

Open London rules

Markham, OntarioMarkham lists raised decks more than 600 mm above grade as permit-required and lists low decks under 600 mm as permit-exempt.

Markham’s permit guidance also says attached decks require a permit. Zoning and applicable-law checks should happen before the permit application is prepared.

Open Markham rules

Mississauga, OntarioA deck less than 600 mm (2 ft) high is listed as permit-exempt. Higher or otherwise permit-triggering deck work should be checked against the City requirements before construction.

Mississauga lists a deck less than 600 mm high among projects that do not need a building permit. When a deck, porch or balcony does require a permit, the City publishes a project-specific drawing and document checklist. Zoning remains a separate property-specific check.

Open Mississauga rules

Oakville, OntarioOakville requires a permit for decks greater than 10 m² and higher than 61 cm above grade, and for any size deck attached to a house.

The Town also requires all decks to comply with the zoning by-law applicable to the property. Site-specific approvals such as heritage or conservation review can apply.

Open Oakville rules

Oshawa, OntarioOshawa lists sundecks, decks and porches as permit-required, but a house deck 600 mm or less above ground with no roof is permit-exempt.

Height and roof coverage determine whether the house-deck exemption applies.

Open Oshawa rules

Ottawa, OntarioA permit is required for several elevated-deck situations, including an attached or adjacent deck with a walking surface more than 600 mm above grade.

Ottawa distinguishes attached or adjacent decks, principal-access decks and independent decks. Height, area and how the deck relates to the building can change the permit answer.

Open Ottawa rules

Toronto, OntarioA permit is required when a deck is more than 60 cm (24 in) above ground. Some lower uncovered platforms can be exempt if all conditions are met.

Toronto lists decks more than 60 cm above ground as permit-required. An uncovered platform at or below 60 cm may not require a building permit if it is not part of a required exit and it complies with zoning. Property-specific zoning still needs verification.

Open Toronto rules

Vaughan, OntarioAttached decks require a permit. A detached uncovered deck can be exempt only when it stays within the City’s published area and height limits.

Vaughan requires a permit for decks attached to a building regardless of area or height. Its published exemption applies to an uncovered, detached deck no larger than 18.6 m² and no higher than 0.6 m above grade.

Open Vaughan rules

Waterloo, OntarioA building permit is required when a deck is more than 24 inches above ground or has a roof or cover.

A deck under two feet high and uncovered is permit-exempt, but Waterloo states that zoning still applies.

Open Waterloo rules

Whitby, OntarioWhitby lists decks greater than 24 inches above grade among typical projects requiring a building permit.

Residential Decks are also accepted as a specific E-Portal permit application type.

Open Whitby rules

Why BuildRules separates cities

Ontario sets the Building Code. Municipal rules, zoning, processes and project guidance still differ.

We publish a city only after attaching municipal sources to the project answer. Missing coverage stays missing instead of borrowing another city’s rule.