Updated December 2025 • 2024 OBC Compliant

Toronto Deck Permit Checklist

Complete guide to required documents, forms, and specifications under the 2024 Ontario Building Code.

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Before You Submit

📋 2024 Ontario Building Code: As of April 1, 2025, all permit applications must comply with the 2024 OBC. This checklist reflects the current requirements.

According to the Toronto Auditor General's February 2024 report, approximately 21% of building permit applications are returned at intake for incomplete submissions.

This checklist is based on Toronto Building's official requirements for residential deck and porch permits under the 2024 Ontario Building Code.

Required Documents

Application Form

Completed Toronto Building permit application form with all fields filled

Download forms

Schedule 1 - Designer InformationRequired

BCIN designer information for structural and architectural components

Site PlanRequired

Shows property boundaries, existing structures, proposed deck location, setbacks from property lines

Floor PlanRequired

Plan view showing deck dimensions, door/window locations, stairs

ElevationsRequired

All sides of the deck showing heights, railings, and relationship to existing structure

Construction DetailsRequired

Footing details, beam/joist connections, ledger board attachment, railing details

Survey/Plot PlanConditional

Recent survey showing property dimensions and existing structures

PDF Format Requirements

Toronto Building's electronic submission portal has specific PDF requirements. Files that don't meet these specifications may be rejected automatically.

PDF version 1.4 or higher (most modern PDFs are 1.7+)

All annotations must be flattened (no editable form fields)

Files must be text-searchable (not scanned images)

Maximum file size: 25MB per file

No password protection or encryption

Drawings should be to scale with dimensions clearly marked

Common Rejection Reasons

Based on Toronto Building feedback, these are the most common reasons deck permit applications get returned:

!Missing or incomplete Schedule 1 (Designer Information)

!Site plan doesn't show setbacks from property lines

!Elevations missing railing heights or guard details

!No footing details or structural connections shown

!PDF files have editable annotations (not flattened)

!Drawings not to scale or missing dimensions

!Missing stair details when deck height exceeds 24 inches

Official Resources

Toronto Building Permit Portal Application Forms Download Residential Permit Checklists 2024 Ontario Building Code Toronto Permit Application Guides

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This checklist is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Toronto Building requirements. Requirements may change. Always verify with toronto.ca for the most current information.