Deck Permits in Canada
Province-by-Province Guide to Building Permits & Codes

Across Canada, the general rule is that you need a building permit for any deck that is:

• More than 24 inches (600mm) above adjacent ground level
• Attached to your house (even if ground-level in some municipalities)
• Larger than a certain size (varies — some cities set this at 108 sqft, others at 150 sqft)
• Covered with a roof or pergola structure
• Located near a property line (setback violations)

However, rules vary dramatically between municipalities. A deck that's permit-free in rural Alberta might require full engineering plans in downtown Toronto. Always check with your local building department before starting.

Ontario follows the Ontario Building Code (OBC), but enforcement is municipal. Here's what you need to know:

Toronto: Permit required for any deck over 24" above grade or larger than 108 sq ft if attached. Cost: $200–$400. Processing: 10–15 business days. Submit through the Toronto Building portal.

Ottawa: Permit required for decks over 24" above grade. They offer an express permit service for simple decks — often processed in 5 business days. Cost: $150–$300.

Other Ontario municipalities: Most follow the 24" rule. Hamilton, Mississauga, and Brampton all require permits for attached decks regardless of height. Fees range from $100 to $500.

BC follows the BC Building Code. Key differences from Ontario:

• Vancouver: Permit required for all decks over 2 feet above grade. Cost: $150–$350. Must comply with Vancouver Building By-law.
• Victoria & surrounding municipalities: Permit for decks over 24" above grade. Processing: 2–4 weeks.
• BC has seismic requirements that may affect deck design, especially for elevated decks in the Lower Mainland.
• Frost depth in the Lower Mainland is only 12–18 inches, making footings simpler and cheaper than in Ontario.
• Rural BC: Many areas have relaxed permitting, but still require compliance with BC Building Code.

Alberta's permitting is governed by the Safety Codes Act and administered by municipalities or accredited agencies.

Calgary: Permit required for decks over 24" above grade. Apply through the city's online portal. Cost: $100–$250. Typical processing: 5–10 business days.

Edmonton: Similar 24" threshold. Edmonton has been streamlining their process — simple deck permits can sometimes be approved same-day at the counter.

Quebec follows the Construction Code of Québec (CCQ) and the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) oversees building standards.

• Montreal: Permit required for most decks. Cost: $150–$400. Submit plans in French or English.
• Quebec City: Permits required for decks over 600mm above grade. Heritage zones have additional architectural review.
• Important: In Quebec, contractors performing deck work valued over $5,000 must hold an RBQ licence. Verify at rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
• Frost depth in southern Quebec: 4–5 feet. Northern Quebec: 6+ feet.

Manitoba: Winnipeg requires permits for decks over 24" above grade. Frost depth: 5–6 feet. Cost: $100–$250.

Saskatchewan: Saskatoon and Regina follow similar 24" rules. Frost depth: 5–6 feet in most areas.

Nova Scotia: Halifax requires permits for most decks. Processing can take 2–4 weeks. Frost depth: 3–4 feet.

New Brunswick: Varies by municipality. Fredericton and Saint John require permits for decks over 24".

PEI: Charlottetown requires building permits. Frost depth: 4 feet.

Newfoundland: St. John's requires permits for attached decks and those over 600mm above grade.

Skipping the permit might seem like an easy shortcut, but the consequences can be severe:

• Fines ranging from $500 to $50,000 depending on municipality and severity
• Stop-work orders that halt your project mid-construction
• Orders to demolish the deck at your own expense
• Complications when selling — buyers' inspectors will flag unpermitted structures
• Insurance issues — your homeowner's policy may not cover injuries on an unpermitted deck
• Liability if someone is injured on a deck that doesn't meet code