Accessory Buildings

Required 2024 Permit Fees:

• Accessory Buildings: $0.52 per sq.ft

• Municipal Protection Deposit $500.00

• Lot Grading Deposit $2,500.00

Accessory Buildings/Structures

When is a Building Permit required?

Section 8 of the Building Code Act states, "No person shall construct or demolish a building or cause a building to be constructed or demolished unless a permit has been issued therefore by the Chief Building Official."

In the context of the Act, "building" means:

• A structure occupying an area greater than 10.0 square metres (108.00 square feet) consisting of a wall, roof and floor or any of them. Or a structural system serving the function thereof, including all plumbing, works, fixtures and service systems appurtenant thereto,
• a structure occupying an area of 10.00 square metres or less that contains plumbing,
• plumbing not located in a structure (a sewage system) or
• structures designated in the Building Code.

ONTARIO BUILDING CODE REVISIONS FOR SHEDS

Revisions to the Ontario Building Code in Spring of 2022 made changes to Article 1.3.1.1 of Division C, by adding the following sentence:

A shed is exempt from the need to get a permit under Section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with the Code, if the shed,

• is not more than 15 square metres (161.4 sq.ft.) in gross area;
• is not more than one storey in building height;
• is not attached to a building or any other structure;
• is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot; and
• does not have plumbing.

Before submission of a Building Permit application, please consult with the Building Services Department @ 905-871-1600 Ext. 5510.

Rules & Regulations for Accessory Buildings/Structures

Accessory Buildings/Structures are required to be:

• Located either 'in-line' with or 'behind' the front face of the dwelling;
• Setback a distance of 1.0 metre (3'-3") from the rear and side property lines;
• Located no closer to any exterior street than the setback required in the applicable zone;
• Located no closer than 6.0 metres (19'-7") to the exterior side property lot line when a detached garage or carport faces an exterior side property lot line;
• A size that does not exceed more than 10.0% of the lot area; and
• No more than 4.5 metres (14'-9") in height - measured from peak to finished grade.

What is required for a Building Permit submission?

The Town will need the following information submitted digitally in PDF format to building@forterie.ca

• A site plan identifying the size and location of the proposed building/structure and the setback distances to all property lines (Metric or Imperial);
• The size and location of the existing buildings and structures;
• A copy of the construction drawings including foundation and wall details;
• Elevation plans for the building subject to the construction including all connection details;
• A lot grading plan, identifying the existing and proposed grades surrounding the building and the proposed finished floor grade;
• A complete set of roof truss drawings for the building, if the roof structure involves pre-engineered roof trusses;
• All plans submitted must be appropriately scaled;
• Any necessary approvals and/or permissions from other agencies (i.e. Niagara Regional Planning and Development Services, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), the Town's Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), etc.).

To complete the drawings to the satisfaction of the OBC and the Town of Fort Erie's Building Services Department, it may be beneficial that you seek the assistance from a professional (i.e. Building Designer, Architect or Professional Engineer). Their familiarity with the OBC requirements, drawing detail and design will prove useful.

Please refer to the sample drawing and ensure that the drawings proposed for submission match or exceed the level of detail. Please note that the sample drawing is intended to be used as an example only.

Required 2024 Permit Fees:

• Accessory Buildings: $0.52 per sq. ft.

• Municipal Protection Deposit $500.00

• Lot Grading Deposit $2,500.00

Note:

The information provided is intended to assist and guide the Building Permit process. Regulations and fees are subject to change. Please contact and consult the Building Department Staff.

The Municipal Protection Deposit ensures that the road allowances, boulevards, curbs, sidewalks, culverts, etc., are kept clean and not damaged during construction & installation.

The Lot Grading Deposit ensures that the development follows the approved grade elevations proposed and avoids negatively impacting abutting property owners and the proposed development.

Once the project has passed all Ontario Building Code (OBC) required inspections and the final lot grading, the Municipal Deposits are returned.

How to get a Building Permit application?

Permit Applications can be obtained:

• Building Permit - Standard
• At Town Hall, 1 Municipal Centre Drive, Building Services Department - Second Floor

For further information, please review the following video.