Building a deck is a great way to upgrade your outdoor living space, increase your home’s value, and enjoy the beauty of mother nature. However, before you start hammering nails or laying down decking boards, it’s important to ensure that your deck complies with local building codes. In Ontario, like in many other places, there are specific requirements that must be met to ensure the safety, structural integrity, and legality of your deck.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the importance of understanding building codes and permits for deck construction in Ontario. We’ll cover everything from why these rules exist to how you can ensure your project is compliant from start to finish.
Why Are Building Codes and Permits Important?
Building codes and permits are in place to ensure that construction projects, including deck builds, are safe, durable, and up to standard. These regulations exist to protect the people who use the deck, the surrounding environment, and the community as a whole. They are designed to prevent dangerous or poor construction practices and provide a guideline for consistent, safe builds.
Some of the key reasons building codes and permits are important include:
- Safety: Proper permits and adhering to building codes help prevent accidents, such as deck collapses or structural failure, that could result in injury or worse.
- Property Value: A deck built without proper permits may not be up to code, which can negatively impact your property’s value and could cause complications if you decide to sell your home in the future.
- Insurance: Without the necessary permits and proper construction practices, your deck might not be covered by insurance if something goes wrong. For example, if your deck collapses and you didn’t follow code, your insurer could refuse to pay for repairs.
- Legal Compliance: Failing to follow building codes and obtaining necessary permits can result in fines, repairs, or even having to remove your deck.
In short, complying with Ontario’s building codes and obtaining the proper permits ensures that your deck is safe, legally compliant, and protected under your insurance policy.
When Do You Need a Permit for Deck Construction?
Although not all deck projects require a permit, most of them do. It’s simple to check with your local township to understand the specific requirements in your area. In general, you will need a permit for a deck if:
- The deck is attached to your house: If the deck is structurally tied to the home, such as through a ledger board, a permit is almost always necessary.
- The deck is elevated off the ground: If the deck is more than 24 inches (61 cm) above grade, it requires a permit.
- The deck is being built in a regulated area: If your deck is in a flood zone or near environmentally sensitive areas (such as a shorelines or river banks), a conservation permit will likely be required to ensure that you comply with environmental regulations.
- The deck will be used for commercial purposes: If the deck is part of a commercial building, such as a restaurant or business, it will almost certainly require a permit.
If the deck is low to the ground, doesn’t require a ledger board, and isn’t in a regulated area, you may not need a permit. However, it’s always best to check with your local municipality or a professional contractor to determine whether a permit is necessary for your specific project.
The Role of Ontario Building Codes
In Ontario, the Ontario Building Code (often referred to as the OBC) is the provincial standard for building safety and construction requirements. The OBC outlines the minimum standards for construction, including structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and other factors to ensure the safety and durability of buildings and structures.
When it comes to deck construction, the Ontario Building Code provides detailed guidelines on topics such as:
- Deck Height and Safety: The OBC specifies minimum height requirements for decks, ensuring that decks built higher off the ground have appropriate guardrails, handrails, and guards.
- Footings: Proper footing design and placement is critical to the stability of your deck. The OBC provides guidelines for footings, such as their depth and diameter, to ensure they are strong enough to support the weight of the deck, furniture and occupants.
- Materials: The OBC outlines acceptable materials for building decks and specifies the types of wood, or other materials that should be used in different circumstances. The standards aim to ensure the deck’s longevity and structural integrity.
- Guardrails and Stairs: If your deck is more than 2ft high, the OBC requires guardrails with specific height requirements and spacing to ensure safety. Stairs leading to and from the deck must also meet code, including the rise and run of the steps.
Complying with these codes ensures that the deck is both safe and durable, preventing common issues such as being unstable, susceptible to water damage, or deteriorating due to poor materials or construction methods.
How to Obtain a Deck Permit in Ontario
Getting a permit for deck construction in Ontario typically involves a few steps:
- Check Local Requirements: Each township in Ontario may have slightly different requirements, so it’s important to check with your local building department to understand the specific guidelines in your area.
- Prepare a Set of Drawings: Many townships will require a set of detailed drawings for the proposed deck, which should include measurements, materials, and structural details (including footings and framing). It will also require a site plan showing the location of the deck on the property and the distances from the property lines.
- Submit the Application: Once the drawings are prepared, you can drop them off to your local building department for review. Some towns use an online portal to submit. You will thenbe required to pay a permit fee, which varies depending on the town but is usually in the $200-$400 range.
- Wait for Approval: The building department will review your application and all the drawings to ensure it complies with the Ontario Building Code and other local by-laws. This process may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and how many applications they have at that time.
- Obtain the Permit: If everything complies, the building department will issue a permit, which you must keep on the job site during construction. The permit allows you to legally begin your deck project.
Inspections During Construction
Once you’ve obtained the necessary permit, inspections are typically required during the construction process to ensure that the work is proceeding according to the approved plans and building codes. Common inspections for deck construction may include:
- Footing Inspection: Before pouring concrete for footings, an inspector will check the depth and size of the holes to ensure they meet the requirements. Your drawings should specify the diameter, depth and locations.
- Framing Inspection: After the framing is complete, an inspector will verify that the deck structure is built according to the approved drawings.
- Final Inspection: Once the deck is finished, a final inspection will be conducted to ensure that the deck is complete, including stairs and guard rail according to the drawings and building codes.
If the deck passes all inspections, the inspector will provide a “passed” certificate, signifying that the project is safe and compliant with the regulations.
Consequences of Not Getting a Permit
If you build a deck without getting the proper permits, you may face consequences, including:
- Fines: Local authorities can issue fines for unapproved construction.
- Stop Work Orders: They could issue an order to stop work until all requirements are met
- Demolition Orders: Sometimes, in worse case situations, you may be required to tear it down and start the permit process before building again.
- Insurance Issues: If something goes wrong, such as an accident or injury on your deck, your insurance provider may refuse to cover the damages or liabilities if the deck was not built with a permit.
- Difficulty Selling Your Home: Decks without a permit can complicate the process of selling your home, as they may not meet code requirements, and potential buyers might be hesitant to purchase a property with illegal construction.
Conclusion: Building Your Deck the Right Way
In Ontario, obtaining the proper permits and following building codes is essential for ensuring the safety, quality, and legal compliance of your deck. By following local codes and working with a professional contractor, you can ensure that your deck project is completed without any legal issues, safety concerns, or costly mistakes.
Here at MKW, we can make the permit work a breeze. We handle all the permit arrangements, including preparing drawings, site plans, permit submission, coordinating inspections and ensuring your deck is built to not only comply, but exceed Ontario Building Code and local by-laws.
Whether you're building a simple backyard deck or an elaborate outdoor living space, taking the time to get the necessary permits and follow the building code will protect your investment and give you peace of mind knowing that your deck is safe and durable for years to come.