Permits in Toronto
When a backyard shed, deck, or fence needs a building permit in Toronto, Ontario, with the size cut-offs, coverage level, and source link.
Coverage
Municipal rule
Shed
A detached one-storey shed up to 15 square metres, with no plumbing, needs no building permit in Toronto. Larger, plumbed, or attached structures do.
Deck
A deck needs a permit if it is attached to the house or more than 0.6 m (about 24 in) above grade. A low, freestanding deck does not.
Fence
Fences need no building permit, but Toronto's fence bylaw caps height (around 2 m in a rear yard). A pool enclosure fence has its own safety rules and inspection.
The provincial baseline
Under the Ontario Building Code, a detached one-storey storage shed of 15 square metres (about 160 square feet) or less, with no plumbing, does not need a building permit. Anything larger, with plumbing, or attached to another building does. Zoning rules (setbacks, height, lot coverage) always apply even when no building permit is needed.
Toronto permit questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Toronto?
A detached one-storey shed up to 15 square metres, with no plumbing, needs no building permit in Toronto. Larger, plumbed, or attached structures do. Source: Toronto building department, last checked 2026-06-24.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Toronto?
A deck needs a permit if it is attached to the house or more than 0.6 m (about 24 in) above grade. A low, freestanding deck does not.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Toronto?
Fences need no building permit, but Toronto's fence bylaw caps height (around 2 m in a rear yard). A pool enclosure fence has its own safety rules and inspection.
Source
From Toronto building department, last checked 2026-06-24. Toronto follows the Ontario Building Code's 15 square metre shed exemption. Within a TRCA-regulated area a separate conservation permit can apply.
This is a plain-language explainer, not legal or professional advice, and not the bylaw itself. Rules change and vary by zone within a city. Always confirm with your municipality's building department and the linked official page before you build. Decks and sheds near a conservation authority's regulated area may need a separate permit.
Other municipalities: Addington Highlands, Adelaide-Metcalfe, Adjala-Tosorontio, Admaston/Bromley. Or see every municipality.