Porch Enclosures
A building permit is required when constructing a structure that covers a porch.
Building permit applications are accepted through the Online Permitting Portal.
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 porch and dimensions indicating the distance from porch to adjacent property lines
- Construction drawings. Depending on the scope of work, each drawing set may require the following list of information. All drawings must include existing structural information and the proposed changes to the existing structure:
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan or framing plan
- Building elevations indicating building height, length, roof overhang dimensions, window and door locations and sizes, and exterior finishes
- Wall sections and details
- Roof plan including engineered truss drawings and layout (if applicable)
- Guard or rail details and a copy of the pre-engineered guard or railing details (if applicable). Typically, these details are available through the guard or railing supplier
- If the porch will be enclosed with a pre-manufactured wall system, provide manufacturer’s specifications and documentation. Typically, these specifications are available through the 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 that pertain to the project