Shed & accessory structure permits
Drawings and permits for larger sheds, cabanas, backyard studios, pool houses and other detached accessory buildings.
Where most of our shed & accessory structure clients start
The sheets in a typical permit set
Every property is different, so we confirm the exact list with your city. Most applications include:
EXAMPLE SHEETS · ILLUSTRATIVE
Included when you work with KS
- A clear answer on whether you need a permit
- Zoning check for height, setbacks and coverage
- Floor plan and elevations
- Foundation suited to the size of the building
- Wall and roof framing
- Application if a permit is needed
We coordinate
- Plumbing design for washrooms or sinks
- Electrical through your licensed electrician
- Engineer seal for prefabricated buildings where required
We tell you up front if any of these apply, so there are no surprise add-ons later.
Key requirements we design for
Size threshold
Whether your building is large enough to need a permit.
Zoning
Height, setbacks and total coverage for accessory buildings.
Use
Storage, studio, cabana or pool house, and what each allows.
Foundation
The right base for the size of building.
Plumbing & power
Extra review when the building has services.
Not a dwelling
Rules that stop accessory buildings being used as homes.
Before we design: what we check for your backyard building
The first question is whether you need a permit at all. A small, one-storey storage shed with no plumbing is often exempt, but size, height, being attached to anything, or adding plumbing changes that. We give you a straight answer.
Zoning applies either way. We check how close it can be to the fence, how tall it can be, and how much of the yard all your accessory buildings can cover together.
We also ask how you will use it. A studio, a pool house and a garden suite are different things in the code and the bylaw, and building to the right one avoids problems if you sell or rent later.
Why these applications get sent back
These are comments plan examiners often raise. We address each one in the drawings before we submit.
From site visit to issued permit
"Had a great experience working with them for our basement second dwelling unit project. The architectural work was done very professionally, with clear drawings, good communication, and attention to detail throughout the process."
Common questions
What size shed needs a permit?
The Ontario Building Code sets a size threshold, and zoning adds its own limits. We confirm both for your lot.
Can my backyard studio have a bathroom?
Sometimes. Plumbing triggers a permit and extra review. We check your city's rules.
Can people live in it?
Not as an accessory building. A place to live is a garden suite, which has its own rules.
Do pool houses need permits?
Often, especially with plumbing or a change room. We check.
Can I put two small sheds instead of one big one?
Often, if zoning allows the total coverage. We check your lot.
Can people sleep in a backyard studio?
Not as an accessory building. A place to live is a garden suite, which has its own rules.
What should I send for a quote?
Your address, the size and how you plan to use it.
Guides for this project
Planning a backyard building?
Tell us the size and use. We'll tell you if it needs a permit.