Creating a backyard oasis – safely and correctly!
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Learn about permit requirements
for decks, sheds, sunrooms, cabanas, pools and more
With provincial COVID-19 orders keeping us home more than normal, many of us are turning our time and attention to enhancing our backyards. Before putting the shovel in the ground, check and see what permits are required for your project. The City of Vaughan is here to help you turn your yard into the oasis of your dreams – safely and correctly.
With provincial COVID-19 orders keeping us home more than normal, many of us are turning our time and attention to enhancing our backyards. Before putting the shovel in the ground, check and see what permits are required for your project. The City of Vaughan is here to help you turn your yard into the oasis of your dreams – safely and correctly.
Here is some
information on the types of grading permits and building permits required for a variety
of residential construction projects.
POOLS
As
outlined in both the City’s Fence By-law (PDF) and Zoning By-law (PDF), a swimming pool
enclosure permit must be obtained for any structure that holds a depth of 76
centimetres (30 inches) of water or more on personal property – including
in-ground pools, permanent above-ground pools such as swim spas and hot tubs,
and temporary/seasonal pools that can be stored away. This permit is a safety
requirement to ensure proper fencing and secure access to the pool. Learn more about pool
permits.
CABANAS
AND SHEDS
A grading
permit and a building permit may be required to install a cabana, shed and
other accessory structures – depending on the size.
Permit
requirements vary depending on the area of the structure. A grading permit is
required for any structure or addition that has an area greater than 10 square
metres (about 108 square feet). Grading permits for structures with an area
greater than 40 square metres (about 430 square feet) also require
certification by an OLS or P.Eng. A permit is not required for structures less
than 10 square metres (about 108 square feet). Learn more about new
structure or addition permits.
A building
permit is required if the structure has an area greater than 10 square metres
(about 108 square feet), is attached to another structure regardless of size,
or contains plumbing. Even if a building permit is not needed, the structure is
still required to meet City zoning requirements, such as setbacks to property
lines and lot coverage. Learn more about
building permits needed for accessory structures.
DECKS
A building
permit is required for any deck or porch that is attached to a building, regardless
of area or height above grade. A building permit is not required for uncovered
decks that have a maximum area of 18.6 square metres (about 200 square feet), are
not greater than 0.6 metres (about 23.6 inches) above grade and are not
attached to an existing structure. Although a building permit may not be
required, the uncovered deck is still required to meet City zoning
requirements, such as setbacks to property lines and lot coverage. Both
enclosed and open decks do not require a grading permit to build. Learn more about
building permits required for decks.
SUNROOMS
A
grading permit is not required for sunrooms built on footings or posts, however,
if the sunroom is to be installed on top of foundation, a grading permit will
be required. If the structure is more than 40 square metres, a surveyor stamp
must be granted by a City of Vaughan engineer. Learn more about
sunroom or accessory grading permits.
A
building permit is required for any sunroom attached to a building, any sunroom
that is greater than 10 square metres in area (about 108 square feet) and any sunroom
that contains plumbing regardless of size. Learn more about
sunroom or accessory building permits.
MORE
INFORMATION
Visit vaughan.ca/DEPermits to learn more about
what is required for building a new structure or installing a swimming pool in your backyard.
Browse
through residential building
permits
for permitting information and requirements before submitting a building permit
application to the City.
Before
starting any backyard construction project, the City is reminding citizens to
refer to provincial and regional COVID-19 regulations. As per Ontario’s current
Stay at-Home Order, residential construction can
continue, but individuals must adhere to Public Health measures, including wearing a mask
and physical distancing. Another resource is Ontario
One Call
– a not-for-profit organization that facilitates excavation locate requests to
ensure homeowners and infrastructure assets, such as buried cables, wires and
cables, are safe when digging. Reach them online or by phone at
1-800-400-2255.
READY
TO APPLY?
The City
has added more options to its online permitting portal to further enable
citizens to apply, track and pay for residential renovation permits digitally
with a secure login. Get started at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.
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