Permit guideKitchenerBuilding PermitsDecks & Porches
Deck and porch permits
You need a building permit to build a deck or porch if it is 24 inches (≈ 610 mm) (2 feet (≈ 610 mm)) or more above the ground, measured at any point, or if your deck will be covered by a permanent roof.
The municipality lists what to submit. CodeEase shows what the building code asks of it. See CodeEase →
Check whether you need a permit
You need a building permit to build a deck or porch if:
- it is 24 inches (≈ 610 mm) (2 feet (≈ 610 mm)) or more above the ground, measured at any point
- your deck will be covered by a permanent roof
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Choose an approved guard system and decking
- Please note that manufacturers may offer multiple guard systems and products; however, only the specific systems listed have been reviewed and approved for use.
- Pressure Treated Wood Guards, constructed in accordance with Supplementary Standards SB-7 of the Ontario Building Code.
- AlumaRail
- DecKorators
- ETP Railings
- InvisiRail
- Nuvo Iron
- PEAK Railblazers
- PEAK Veranda
- Regal IDEAS Classic
- Regal IDEAS Regal Railing
- Regal IDEAS Urban
- Vista
- A valid Building Material Evaluation Commission (BMEC) authorization from The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
- A valid Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) evaluation from the National Research Council (NRC)
- A detailed engineering / testing report sealed by a Professional Engineer of Ontario confirming the product details, including but not limited to, specifying the specific decking product manufacturer and product name, limitations, etc.
- Guard systems with posts, pickets, or top/bottom rails constructed of a material other than wood, aluminum, steel, or glass (e.g. composite, vinyl, PVC, or similar materials), BMEC or CCMC approval is required. In Kitchener, an Ontario Engineer Report alone is not sufficient for OBC compliance. To date we are not aware of a guard system that has been approved by BMEC or CCMC that is not wood, aluminum, steel, or glass.
- Minimum Guard Height Requirements
- Non-Climbable Zone (i.e. no horizontal or climbable elements between 140 mm (≈ 5½ in) (5½”) and 900 mm (≈ 2 ft 11⅜ in) (35½”) above the walking surface)
- Loads on Guards. (Guards not built per Supplementary Standards SB-7 will require a Professional Engineer to verify the guard conforms to the OBC, including fastening to the deck, porch, or house.)
- Pressure Treated Wood Decking, minimum 5/4 inch (≈ 102 mm) thick
- DecKorators – Pioneer
- DecKorators – Voyage
- Fiberon – Sanctuary
- Inteplast Deck
- Inteplast Porch
- Moisture Shield – Vantage
- Moisture Shield – Vision
- TimberTech by AZEK – Harvest
- TimberTech by AZEK – Vintage
- Trex – Enhance
- Trex – Select
- Trex – Transend
- Trunorth Deck – Accuspan
- Trunorth Deck – Clubhouse PVC
- Trunorth Deck – EnviroBoard
- Veranda – Elite
- Veranda – HP
- Wolf – Serenity
- Wolf – Serenity Porch Exterior Decking
- A valid Building Material Evaluation Commission (BMEC) authorization from The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
- A valid Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) evaluation from the National Research Council (NRC)
- A detailed engineering / testing report sealed by a Professional Engineer of Ontario confirming the product details, including but not limited to, specifying the specific decking product manufacturer and product name, limitations, etc. (Note: This option - option 3 - is only available for decks serving Low-Rise (Part 9) Residential buildings).
Complete the forms1
Submit your application
- You can apply for a residential building permit using our online services tool.
- To apply in person, please book an appointment.
- If you have any questions about residential projects, send us an email or call 519-741-2433.
Pay the fee
- permit fee: $95
Written from Kitchener’s own pages as published on 23 October 2026. The municipality decides what a permit needs: confirm with it before you apply. Legal notice