Decks
Check size / scopeRichmond Hill requires a building permit for a deck more than 600 mm above grade.
Richmond Hill, ON
Building permits in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill accepts online applications for residential alterations and additions, decks, porches, finished basements, garages and accessory buildings.
Official sources checked Sep. 24, 2026
Permit rules by project
Pick the project that matches your work. These are starting rules for Richmond Hill; property-specific zoning, heritage and trade approvals can still apply.
Sheds & accessory buildings
Depends on scopeRichmond Hill exempts a detached accessory building of 10 m² or less with no plumbing, and a one-storey storage shed of 15 m² or less with no plumbing. Other accessory structures require permit review.
Basement renovations
Permit requiredRichmond Hill lists altering the interior of a building, including finishing a basement, among projects requiring a building permit.
Secondary suites & ADUs
Permit requiredRichmond Hill states that additional residential units are subject to zoning requirements and a building permit.
Home additions
Permit requiredRichmond Hill lists an addition to a building, including sunrooms, among projects requiring a building permit.
Interior alterations
Permit requiredRichmond Hill lists interior alterations, including finishing a basement, among projects requiring a building permit.
Walls / structural work
Permit requiredRichmond Hill requires permits for renovating or materially altering a building; structural changes fall within that permit route.
Pools / hot tubs
Confirm with cityRichmond Hill requires a Pool Enclosure Permit before installing a pool. keeps the combined pool/hot-tub category needs confirmation because enclosure treatment varies by installation.
Garages / carports
Depends on scopeRichmond Hill accepts permits for garages/accessory buildings, while small detached accessory structures and qualifying storage sheds can be exempt under published limits.
Plumbing / HVAC
Depends on scopeRichmond Hill lists altering or remodelling plumbing and/or HVAC systems among projects requiring a building permit; simple maintenance/replacement scopes should be confirmed.
Fences
Confirm with cityRichmond Hill regulates residential fence height and placement under its Fence By-law. does not expose a blanket building-permit outcome because property, pool-enclosure and public-land conditions can add approvals.
Retaining walls
Permit requiredRichmond Hill lists constructing a retaining wall and other designated structures among projects requiring a building permit.
Demolition
Permit requiredRichmond Hill lists demolishing a building among projects requiring a building permit.
Apply or ask Richmond Hill
Use the municipality’s permit office for current forms, fees, drawings and questions about your property.
Richmond Hill Building Division
- Phone
- 905-771-8810
- Address
- 225 East Beaver Creek Road, 3rd Floor, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4
Your application route
Open the official permit page ↗Use the official permit page to confirm project requirements, forms, fees and the current application process.
Good to know in Richmond Hill
- Depending on the project, pre-approvals can include grading/site alteration, planning, conservation-authority or other municipal review.
- A deck more than 600 mm above grade is listed as a permit project; finishing a basement and material alterations also require a permit.
- The City lists a detached accessory building of 10 m² or less with no plumbing, and a qualifying one-storey storage shed of 15 m² or less with no plumbing, among examples that do not need a building permit.
- Projects that do not need a building permit must still comply with the zoning bylaw.
Official sources
Use these official links to confirm the current rule for your Richmond Hill property.
View 4 official sources
Sources checked Sep. 24, 2026. Requirements can change; the municipality makes the final permit decision.
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