Permits: When You Need Them
Let’s get this out of the way right now:
Permits are annoying.
They add cost.
They add paperwork.
They slow things down.
But they can also save your ass.
Because nothing ruins a project faster than finishing it… and then being told by the city that you now have to tear it all out.
Yes, that happens.
Yes, we’ve seen it.
No, arguing doesn’t help.
First things first: permit rules are different everywhere
There is no universal rulebook.
Permit requirements:
- vary by city
- vary by municipality
- sometimes even vary by neighborhood
What’s allowed in one city can get you fined in the next one over. That’s why anything you read online (including this blog) should be treated as general guidance, not law.
The only people who can give you a real answer?
Your city.
Specifically: by-law, zoning, or building department.
“Permits are expensive” — until they’re not
Permits cost money, yes.
But imagine this:
You build a deck without a permit.
It looks great.
You’re proud of it.
Then a jackass neighbor calls the city.
The inspector shows up, takes one look, and says:
“No permit? You’ll need to remove it.”
No grandfathering.
No “but it’s already built.”
No sympathy.
They will absolutely make you rip it down.
Suddenly that permit fee looks pretty cheap.
Decks: sometimes you need permits, sometimes you don’t
Decks are one of the most confusing areas.
In some municipalities:
- floating decks
- under ~100 sq ft
- less than ~20 inches off the ground
…may not require permits.
In others?
- any deck needs one
- size doesn’t matter
- height doesn’t matter
Same deck. Different city. Totally different outcome.
This is why guessing is dangerous.
Fences: usually no permits… until there are
Most of the time, fences don’t need permits — as long as they’re under a certain height.
Around much of the GTA, that’s typically:
- up to about 6’6” in backyards
Anything taller usually requires:
- an exemption
- or special approval
But there are lots of exceptions:
- some cities allow taller fences
- some allow it if both neighbors agree
- some allow taller fences if it borders commercial property
Front yards are a different story.
In most cities:
- fences must be lower in the front
- corner lots are even stricter
- this is to prevent blocking sightlines for traffic and driveways
This is where people get burned the most — especially on corner lots.
Privacy screens: sneaky little loopholes (with limits)
Some cities (Mississauga is a good example) allow privacy screens to be taller than normal fences.
Sounds great… until you read the fine print.
There are usually rules about:
- how tall they can be
- how close they can be to a fence
- where on the property they’re allowed
Build one too close or too tall, and it’s back to square one.
Pergolas: usually fine… until they’re not
Pergolas generally:
- do not need permits
But the second you add:
- electrical
- plumbing
- lighting
- heaters
Congratulations — now you might need one.
Again, depends on the city.
The most important advice we can give you
Call the city.
Seriously.
Don’t rely on:
- your neighbor
- Facebook groups
- Google
- “my buddy did it and it was fine”
Call the people who actually enforce the rules:
- by-law officers
- zoning department
- building department
They get paid with your tax dollars to answer these questions.
It’s literally their job.
A 10-minute phone call can save you:
- thousands of dollars
- weeks of frustration
- tearing down something you just paid for
Final thought (read this twice)
Rules change.
Cities update bylaws.
What was allowed five years ago might not be allowed today.
So before you build:
- make the call
- ask the questions
- write down the answers
Because the only thing worse than dealing with permits…
is dealing with the city after the project is finished.
