Decks, Fences, Site Work and Accessory Buildings

If you are just repairing your fence, deck or accessory building or maybe just re-paving your driveway then you would only require a repair permit, but if you are replacing, changing the size of, or relocating a deck or fence on your property or constructing a shed or garage, then a building permit is required. All applications are received and permits issued at the Inspection Services, third floor, John J. Murphy Building (City Hall annex).

Decks or Fences

Sitework

Accessory Buildings

Decks or Fences
For the erection of a deck or fence, in addition to a completed application, we would require the following:

  • Deck Construction Specifications
  • A legal survey of the property so we can see where the fence/deck is to be located on the lot.deck with stairs attached to a house
  • A detailed structural drawing of the deck or details on the fence, i.e. height, type of material to be used, etc.
  • An estimate of the cost of work to determine the permit cost. Please refer to the Schedule of Rates page for information on permit costs.

Permits for decks and fences can sometimes be issued right away, but could take five to ten working days. There are many other reasons for varying processing time such as, all of the necessary information may not have been provided or an application has to be referred to the Traffic Division, Department of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services, for sight distance review.

Sitework
New homes being built with pile of dirt in front yardSitework could include driveway work, placing fill on a property, the erection of a retaining wall, walkway, etc. In addition to a completed application, the following is required:

  • A legal survey of the property in order to determine exactly where the work is to be done.
  • A structural drawing, if applicable.
  • If extending or installing a new driveway a Street Excavation Permit is required from the Roads Division, Department of Public Works. There is a fee for this permit which is a separate charge.
  • An estimate of the cost of work to determine the permit cost. Please refer to the Schedule of Rates page for information on permit costs.

Permits for sitework can sometimes be issued right away if they meet all of our regulations, but they could take up to 10 working days if an inspection and/or plan review are required.

Accessory Buildings
The following requirements must be met in order to obtain approval for an accessory building:accessory building

  • Accessory Building Specifications
  • Maximum area - lesser of 10% of the area of the lot or 75% of the ground floor area (footprint) of the residence located on the lot.
  • Maximum area is the cumulative total area of all accessory buildings located on the lot.
  • Maximum height - lesser of 5 meters in building height or the established building height of the residence on the lot.

Applies to all:

  • Must be located a minimum of 1.2 meters from any property boundary.
  • Must be located in the side and rear yards and behind the building line subject to Section 8.3.3 of the Development Regulations.
  • Must be located a minimum of 2.4 meters from the main building.
  • If the property is not provided with municipal water services, must be located a minimum of 6 meters from any property boundary unless otherwise approved by the Director of Regional Fire Services.

In addition to a completed application the following is required:

  • A legal survey of the property must accompany the application so that easements, residence and other accessory building's location and size can be determined.
  • The building height of the residence shall be indicated on the application or survey.
  • If the accessory building is over 55 square meters, then we require: approved details outlining roof, wall and floor framing and all structural lumber used shall have an approved grade stamp as per Section 9.3.2 of the National Building Code.
     

Please refer to the Schedule of Rates page for information on permit costs.