ONTARIO PERMIT GUIDE
Do You Need a Building Permit for a Shed in Ontario?
What Ontario homeowners should know about the 15 m² shed exemption, zoning, setbacks, plumbing and municipal requirements in 2026.
The Short Answer
A small shed can be exempt from a building permit in Ontario if it meets the applicable exemption requirements.
A qualifying shed is generally no more than 15 square metres in gross area, no more than one storey, detached from other buildings or structures, used only for storage associated with the principal building and does not contain plumbing.
But a permit exemption does not mean you can place the shed anywhere you want. Municipal zoning and other property-specific rules can still apply.
When Can a Shed Be Permit-Exempt?
The provincial small-shed exemption generally applies when all of the following conditions are met:
- The shed is not more than 15 m² in gross area
- It is not more than one storey in building height
- It is not attached to another building or structure
- It is used only for storage ancillary to the principal building
- It does not contain plumbing
If the structure does not satisfy those conditions, do not assume the small-shed exemption applies.
No Building Permit Does Not Mean No Rules
This is the part homeowners often miss.
A shed may qualify for a building-permit exemption and still have to comply with municipal zoning.
Zoning can regulate matters such as:
- Minimum setbacks from property lines
- Maximum building height
- Maximum lot coverage
- Where accessory structures can be located
- Distance from the house or other structures
- Whether the shed can be located in a front or exterior side yard
Always check the zoning bylaw before deciding where to put the shed.
What If the Shed Is Larger Than 15 m²?
If the structure is larger than the permit-exempt threshold, a building permit will generally be required.
A permit application may require a site plan and construction drawings showing the shed’s location, dimensions, setbacks, floor system, walls, roof and other construction details.
Check the municipality’s requirements before purchasing a large prefabricated shed or starting construction.
What If the Shed Has Plumbing?
A shed with plumbing does not meet the provincial small-shed exemption described above, regardless of its size.
If you are planning a sink, toilet, shower or other plumbing, speak with the municipal building department before beginning construction.
Can You Use a Permit-Exempt Shed as a Bedroom or Office?
The specific small-shed exemption is intended for a structure used only for storage ancillary to the principal building.
If you intend to use the structure as habitable space, a home office, sleeping space, studio or another use beyond storage, do not assume the shed exemption applies.
Discuss the proposed use with the municipality before construction or conversion.
What About Gazebos, Cabanas and Other Accessory Structures?
Do not automatically apply the shed exemption to every small backyard structure.
A gazebo, pool cabana, detached garage, greenhouse, workshop, pergola or other accessory structure may be treated differently depending on its size, construction and use.
Municipal guidance should be checked for the specific type of structure you intend to build.
Other Approvals That Can Matter
Depending on the property, additional restrictions may apply even when a municipal building permit is not required.
- Conservation authority regulation
- Niagara Escarpment requirements
- Heritage restrictions
- Easements
- Utility corridors
- Tree-protection bylaws
- Septic system setbacks
- Floodplain or hazard-land restrictions
- Condominium or private-community rules
Before You Build a Shed
- Measure the proposed shed’s gross area.
- Confirm the intended use.
- Determine whether plumbing is planned.
- Confirm that the structure will be detached.
- Check the municipality’s zoning requirements.
- Measure setbacks from property lines and other structures.
- Check for easements and other site restrictions.
- Confirm whether a building permit or other approval is required.
- Keep your documentation for future reference.
FAQ
Ontario Shed Permit Questions
Do I need a permit for a 10 x 10 shed in Ontario?
A 10 x 10 foot shed is approximately 9.3 m², so its size is below 15 m². It may qualify for the small-shed permit exemption if it also meets the other conditions, including being one storey, detached, storage-only and without plumbing. Municipal zoning still applies.
Do I need a permit for a 12 x 12 shed?
A 12 x 12 foot shed is approximately 13.4 m², which is below 15 m². It may qualify for the exemption if all other requirements are met. Confirm local zoning and municipal guidance before building.
Can I put a shed against my property line?
Not necessarily. Municipal zoning bylaws can require setbacks from property lines even where the shed does not require a building permit.
Does a plastic or prefabricated shed need to follow zoning?
Yes. The construction material does not generally eliminate municipal zoning requirements governing the placement and size of accessory structures.
Can I put plumbing in a small shed?
A shed containing plumbing does not meet the small-shed exemption described above. Contact the municipal building department before proceeding.
Official Resources
- Ontario Citizen’s Guide — Building Permits
- Ontario Citizen’s Guide — Zoning Bylaws
- Ontario’s Building Code
Last reviewed: September 6, 2026.
General information only: Ontario Home Intel provides general educational information and is not a substitute for building-code, zoning, legal, engineering, planning or other professional advice. Permit exemptions, zoning bylaws and property-specific restrictions can change. Confirm requirements with the applicable municipality and authorities before purchasing or constructing a shed.