Toronto Deck Permit Guide

Toronto's rules for decks come from three places: the building permit rules, the zoning bylaw and, where trees are involved, the tree and ravine protection bylaws. Here's how they fit together.

When a Toronto deck needs a building permit

The City of Toronto requires a building permit to construct a deck more than 60 centimetres (24 inches) above the ground. The permit application for a deck includes drawings with details of the footings, including size, spacing, depth and frost protection.

Lower decks still have rules

A deck under 60 cm doesn't need a building permit, but it still has to meet the zoning bylaw, including how close it can be to property lines.

Trees and ravines

• A permit is needed for any work that could injure or remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter, measured 1.4 m above the ground.
• Street trees on City property are protected at any size.
• In ravine and natural feature protected areas, trees of any size are protected, and other work may need a permit.
• Decks, fences and retaining walls built inside a tree protection zone can need a tree permit.

Fences on the same property

If a new deck comes with a new fence, Toronto's fence bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 447) sets residential limits of 2.5 m in the rear yard, 2.0 m in the side yard, and 1.2 m in the front yard within 2.4 m of the street. See our Toronto page for more.

How we handle it

We check the height, zoning and tree situation for your address at the site visit. If a permit is needed, it's written into the scope so you know before the job starts.

Sources: City of Toronto, When do I need a building permit, Decks and porches, When to apply for a tree or ravine permit, Chapter 447.