Deck permits in Kitchener and Waterloo
The short answer
In both cities you need a building permit for a deck more than 24 in (610 mm) above the ground or with a roof. Kitchener charges a $95 flat fee; Waterloo charges $132. You apply online with a site plan and construction drawings.
Do you need one?
No permit doesn't mean no rules. A low deck still has to meet the Building Code, and an inspector or a home buyer's inspector can still find problems.
| Your deck | Kitchener | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| More than 24 in (610 mm) up | Permit | Permit |
| Has a roof | Permit | Permit |
| Low, uncovered, freestanding | No permit | No permit |
| Low, uncovered, bolted to the house | No permit | Confirm with the City |
| Fee | $95 flat | $132 flat |
What the City wants to see
- A site plan: your lot lines, the house and where the deck goes, with distances.
- A framing plan: joists, beams, posts and footings with sizes and spacing.
- Elevations and construction details: guard, stairs, ledger connection, footings.
- The application form and the owner or designer information.
- DivineDesigner draws all of these from your design (sheets A1 to A9) and fills in the form.
The bits that get applications sent back
- Missing distances to the property lines on the site plan.
- No guard or stair detail.
- A ledger shown on brick veneer.
- Joist or beam spans that don't match the table.
- Footings that aren't shown 1.2 m deep.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for a deck under 24 inches in Kitchener?
Not if it's uncovered. It still has to meet the Building Code.
How much is a deck permit in Waterloo?
A $132 flat fee (checked October 2026).
Can I draw my own deck plans?
Yes. Ontario lets a homeowner design work on their own house; you'll declare that on the application. DivineDesigner prepares the drawings for you to submit.
Sources
- City of Kitchener: When you need a building permit
- City of Kitchener 2025 fee schedule (PDF)
- City of Waterloo: Decks checklist
- City of Waterloo: Building permit timelines and fees
Checked 2026-10-06. Your City’s plans examiner has the final word. How we verify rules