Hamilton deck permit: when you need one and what to submit
The short answer
Yes for any deck attached to the house, whatever its size or height, and for a deck used with a pool. City fee: $5.36 per m² of deck, minimum $291.
Last verified 2026-10-07 · City of Hamilton: Porches and decks, City of Hamilton: Building permit fees, City of Hamilton: Sample wood deck drawing (PDF)- City fee
- $5.36 per m² of deck, minimum $291
- Where to apply
- City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca)
A freestanding deck needs one if it's over 10 m² and more than 200 mm up, over 10 m² with a roof, or smaller but more than 600 mm up next to a door. New or replacement railings need a permit too, and a deck can't be fastened to brick veneer.
What an application usually includes
Hamilton’s checklist has the exact list; apply through City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca).
- A site plan with the lot lines, the house and the deck, with distances
- A framing plan: joists, beams, posts and footings with sizes and spacing
- Elevations and sections: guard, stairs, the ledger connection and footing depth
- The application form and the owner or designer declaration
Local quirks
- Hamilton wants permits for jobs many cities skip: replacing deck or stair railings, damp-proofing foundation walls, sump pumps, and new drywall and insulation.
- The part of a pool fence between the house and the pool has to be see-through, so the pool can be seen from the house.
- Fake permit-fee invoices have been going around. Real City messages come only from @hamilton.ca addresses.
Design your Hamilton deck to the Building Code.
The design, drawings and code checks work in Hamilton today. Hamilton’s own forms aren’t built in yet, so you’ll fill those in on the City’s portal.