Decks and Porches

General Information

All drawings to be done on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated.

Applications including drawings with the seal of a professional engineer must include a completed Assumption of Responsibility for Engineering Content Form.

If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer’s name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities.

All drawings, reports, and forms, including the completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, must be provided in a PDF format.

 

Required Documentation

Plans for decks and porches

• Details of footings, including footing size, spacing, depth, height above grade and frost protection details.
• Sizes and locations of all columns; sizes, locations and spans of all beams.
• Stair Construction Details, including height and depth of stair treads and headroom above stairs (where applicable).
• Guard Construction Details, including information about openings and climbability, and the location of the guards with respect to stairways, landings, and edges of the proposed platform.

Site Plan

• Survey or site plan showing property lines, lot area, right-of-way or easements (referenced to a current survey)
• Location of existing/proposed buildings with overall dimensions and include setback dimensions to property lines and adjacent buildings.
• Summary of permitted and proposed zoning provisions to include lot area, building area (GFA), coverage and grade elevations to confirm height.
• Indicate dimensioned parking areas, driveways, hard and soft landscape treatments, accessory structures (sheds, decks, detached garages, etc).

Required Forms

Application to Construct or Demolish Form

Building permit application form required for all submissions

 

Schedule 1: Designer Information Form

Required for all designers, except Engineers and Architects when applying for any Construction Permit. Property Owners, if exempted from Qualification/Certification must fill-in the form to specify the reason for exemption.

 

Assumption of Responsibility for Engineering Content Form

Where the permit drawings and/or documents submitted with a building permit application for a design of a new house or material alteration to an existing house bear the seal of a professional engineer, the professional engineer who sealed drawings and/or documents shall confirm the content for which the engineer is assuming professional responsibility by completing the Assumption of Responsibility for Engineering Content Form.

 

Tree Declaration Form

Required for all projects where there is a potential for damage to private or City trees. Applicant is also responsible to comply with other tree protection bylaws.

Apply for a permit online

You may now apply for a permit for a deck or porch online using Toronto Building’s Express web application portal. This service allows applicants to see what documents are required and which outside approvals, if any, are applicable to the submission.  It also allows the applicant to track their submission from start to completion of the submission portion of the application process.

Apply for a Deck Permit

Apply by Email

To submit an application by email please use the ‘Email’ button on top of the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.

Detailed steps for the email submission process are also available to assist in making your application.

Fees

Fee Category	Fee Effective Jan. 1, 2025
Residential Decks, Porches, Carports	$206.53