Sheds and Garages

Based on the recent amendments of the Ontario Building Code (Ontario Regulation 451/22 Section 28), a shed intended for storage and is secondary to a principal building on a lot does not require a building permit if:

• The size of the shed/garage is 15 sq m (161 sq ft) in gross area or less,
• The shed/garage is not more than one storey in building height,
• The shed/garage is not attached to another building; and
• The shed/garage does not have any plumbing.

Note: All sheds/garages must comply with Oshawa's Zoning By-Law.

• Sheds/garages cannot be bigger than 8% of your total lot area.
• Sheds/garages cannot be bigger than 50% of the lot coverage of your house.
• Sheds/garages cannot be bigger than 60 sq m of ground floor area.
• In most cases, the minimum required distance from your property line is 2 ft.
• In most cases, the maximum height from the ground to the roof peak is 14 ft 9 in.

Note: the restrictions apply to all structures, even in the case where a permit is not required.

• A building permit application form and a Schedule 1 Designer Information form fully completed. An owner's authorization form will be required if the applicant is not the property owner.
• One copy of the survey or site plan of your property showing the dimensions of all existing buildings and your proposed shed/garage. Be sure to include the distance to all your property lines. If you do not have a copy of your survey, we will accept a hand-drawn likeness.
• If the foundation of your new shed/garage will be concrete, you will have to go to Engineering Services on the 9th floor at City Hall at 50 Centre Street South to get a site alteration clearance letter. You can reach Engineering Services at 905-436-5606.
• One copy of your plans showing how you are going to build your new shed/garage will need to be provided with your permit application.
• Permit fee when you apply. You may pay by cheque (payable to "City of Oshawa"), cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

• Application for a Building Permit to Construct or Demolish  (Schedule 1 Designer Information form is included in this link)