For detailed information, see our Shed and Garage Construction Guide.
General Information |
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.
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General Zoning Restrictions |
- 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.
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Permit Application Requirements |
- 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.
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Call before you dig |
It is important you call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 before you dig to have them locate any underground utilities and avoid any damage during construction. |
Forms |
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