Decks and Porches

Decks:  Yes, for a deck, you must have a permit before starting construction if the deck/porch is:

• greater than 10 m² (108 ft²),
• greater than 60 cm (24 5/8inches) high from grade measured from the top of the adjacent walking surface,
• covered or has a roof, or
• connected to a house or other structure.

Porches: Yes, for a porch, you must have a permit before you start construction on a porch constructed with footings and foundations. 

Step 1: Complete any applicable agency approvals

To avoid delays, complete all necessary approvals from other regulatory agencies before you apply.

The details and contact information are on the Applicable Law Checklist.

Other approvals might include:

• Niagara Escarpment Commission
• Niagara Peninsula Energy/Ontario Hydro (minimum setbacks from the hydro lines may apply)
• Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
• Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Ministry of Transportation or other Ministries

Step 2: Zoning confirmation

You can confirm that your project meets zoning requirements in one of two ways:

• Simultaneous zoning review
  • You can have your zoning compliance reviewed as part of your building permit application.
  • The zoning compliance fee will still apply, but no separate application is needed.
• Zoning Compliance Certificate
  • Apply through your City Dashboard account for a separate Zoning Compliance Certificate before submitting your building permit application.
  • This is a separate application with its own fee.
  • Visit our webpage for more details about the Zoning Compliance Certificate process.

Step 3: Submit your application, drawings, and pay the fees

Application

Apply in your City Dashboard Account. Fill in the information, and you will be prompted to upload your completed building permit forms and documents.

Site plan

You must include a site plan to scale identifying: 

• Fully dimensional lot lines, existing structures and proposed deck structure and setback distances

Construction drawings

• Floor plan(s) layout of the deck/porch – fully dimensioned, including framing types, sizes and spans, etc.
• Cross-section/Elevations including pier/footing/foundation details, connection details, height from grade, stair and guard details, etc.

Fees

Pay the required building permit fees when you receive notice that fees are payable via the CityView Portal. Payment can be made the following ways:.

• Pay online through your City Dashboard account.
• Pay with cash or debit in person at the Building Department at 4343 Morrison Street (credit cards are not accepted).
• Submit cheques payable to the “City of Niagara Falls” in person or by mail. Include the permit number and address on the cheque notes.
• For a list of current fees, visit our Building Permit Fees page.

If you are planning to dig, you must submit a utility locate request. This applies to any digging project, whether you're putting in a pool, putting up a fence, or planting a tree.

• Ontario One Call is a free service that helps locate underground utilities like gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables. Contacting them before you dig is not just smart—it’s the law in Ontario.
• You or the contractor doing the work can submit a locate request online at ontarioonecall.ca. Submit the request at least five business days before you plan to dig.

You are responsible for requesting all required inspections to finalize your building permit. Please refer to your permit for the required inspections.

Required inspections for decks are:

1. Footing/excavation (helical pile) – prior to pouring of concrete
2. Framing
3. Final

Once the permit is issued, all required inspections can be booked on your City Dashboard account or by contacting 905-356-7521 extension 4251/4285 or emailing [email protected].

City of Niagara Falls
Building Services
4343 Morrison Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
905-356-7521 ext. 4001
[email protected]