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Deck and fence building in Toronto, Vaughan and the GTA

We build low decks and the fence that closes them in as one backyard job, from our office in Thornhill. The first visit is free, and we reply within 24 hours.

Call 437-667-2121
  1. 1Horizontal fence boardsFull width of the deck, with narrow gaps.
  2. 2A post between two panelsOn an unroofed deck in Toronto, a fence may stand 2.0 m above the deck surface.
A wooden deck in sun and shade in front of a horizontal-board fence with capped posts, an air conditioner beside a brick wall on the left and a dark shed on the right 1 2 3 4
  1. 3Caps on the post topsThe end grain on top of a post takes in the most rain, so the cut end gets preservative and a cap.
  2. 4A gap between deck boardsRain drains through it. Dry boards go in about 1/8 in apart; damp boards go tight because they shrink.

Notes 3 and 4: Wood Preservation Canada, Building Tips (PDF). Note 2: Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 447.

A flat deck often needs no permit. Each city draws the line a little differently

  • TorontoNo permit for an uncovered deck whose floor is not more than 60 cm above the ground beside it. Higher than that needs a permit, and zoning rules apply either way.
  • MarkhamA permit if the deck is attached to the house, is larger than 10 m², or stands more than 600 mm above the ground.
  • MississaugaA permit for a deck higher than 0.61 m (2 ft). A fence needs none.

Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the other GTA cities run their own building departments, so their rule can differ.

How tall a fence can be in Toronto

Front yard, within 2.4 m of the street

Front yard, further back

Side and rear yards, most fences

On an unroofed deck, above its surface

Side or rear, beside an apartment lot, a street or a public walkway

Within 2.4 m of a driveway, the first 2.4 m of fence from the lot line where the driveway starts has to be see-through, like chain-link, so drivers can see the sidewalk.

Source: Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 447, Table 1 and section C.

What goes into the ground under every post

  1. Lumber that touches soil or concrete carries the Ground Contact tag. It holds more preservative than wood tagged Above Ground.
  2. If the post sits in concrete, the top of the concrete slopes away from the wood, so water does not sit against it.
  3. Every cut end gets two coats of end-cut preservative before the cap goes on.
  4. Stain goes on once water droplets sprinkled on the boards soak in.

Source: Wood Preservation Canada.

5

business days before the first hole

Ontario law requires a locate request before any digging, however small, and the utilities mark their lines for free.

Source: Ontario Dig Authority

More of our outdoor work around the house

A porch floor of large grey stone-look slabs under a dark overhang, with the black waterproofed foundation and an orange drainage mesh still open beside it
A porch floor in large slabs, before the soil goes back against the foundation.
A small backyard building with dark sheathing, wood trim strips, two windows and a white door under pine trees
A backyard studio, framed and sheathed, with windows and door in.
A two-step concrete landing in front of a white double door beside a brick wall
Concrete steps at a front door.
A wet interlock paver driveway leading to a residential street lined with trees
An interlock driveway out to the street.

Deck and fence questions

Do I need a permit for a low deck in Toronto?

Not if the deck has no roof and its floor is not more than 60 cm above the ground beside it. Zoning rules still apply. A higher deck needs a building permit.

How tall can a privacy fence on my deck be in Toronto?

2.0 m above the deck surface, if the deck has no roof and is not in the front yard.

How early do utility locates need to be requested?

At least 5 business days before any digging. They are free and required by law.

Where do you build decks and fences?

In Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Vaughan and Markham, from our office in Thornhill.

Send us your backyard

These help us prepare for the first visit:

  • photos of the yard from the back door and from the far corner;
  • the rough size of the deck you want and how high the door sill is above the ground;
  • which sides need a fence, and where the driveway is.

“They also left everything clean and tidy once the work was finished, and we are pleased with how everything turned out.”

Inna Korotina, Google review of a shower floor job
437-667-2121info@artstyleconstruction.ca

Send us a message

We reply within 24 hours. Free, no-obligation consultation.

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