Decks and Porches

A building permit is not required for an uncovered deck maximum 18.6 metres (about 200 square feet), not exceeding 0.6metres (about 23.6 inches) above grade and not attached to an existing structure.

Although a building permit may not be required for the uncovered deck, the deck is still required to meet the City of Vaughan Zoning By-law.

Zoning requirements, such as setbacks to property lines, must be provided when constructing all decks.

Designer requirements

Drawings that are prepared by a qualified designer (as defined in the Ontario Building Code) must include:

• The qualified designer’s name
• The qualified designer’s registration number
• The qualification identification number of the qualified designer (Building Code Identification Number: BCIN)
• The qualified designer's signature
• The stamp or statement that the qualified designer has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities

Note: Property owners may prepare and submit drawings that follow the requirements outlined in the “drawing requirements” section below.

Drawing requirements

A PDF copy of the construction drawing must be provided.

All drawings are to be designed to a minimum scale of 1:75 or 3/16ths equals one foot. Drawings are to be fully dimensioned, signed and dated, and include information such as:

• A property survey or site plan – including the location of the proposed deck and dimensions indicating the distance from the deck edges to adjacent property lines
• Lot grading plan approved by City of Vaughan Development Engineering Department (if applicable)
• Deck construction drawings:
  • Foundation plan – including posthole location and spacing
  • Plan view – including labelling of construction material types, sizes and spacing for posts, floor joists, beams and proposed location of stairs
  • Elevations – including all side elevations of the deck
  • Sections and details (cross-sectional view detailing proposed construction, posthole depth, deck height, guard or railing height and design, connection detail to adjacent building, etc.)
  • A copy of the pre-engineered guard or railing details (if applicable). Typically, these details are available through the guard or railing supplier

Additional requirements

• Commonly Used Applicable Laws & Building Permits (PDF)
• Building Permit Applicant Authorization Form (PDF)
• Schedule 1 Designer Information Form (PDF)
• Approval from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (if applicable)
• Approval from City of Vaughan’s Urban Design and Cultural Heritage division (if applicable)
• Any other documents pertaining to the project