Note:
Wood decks vary in size and area. It is beyond the scope of this booklet to deal with
every possible situation. The requirements and construction guidelines that follow are
provided to assist you in designing and constructing wood decks which will comply with the
regulations. If the nature of your project is different than that contained in this booklet and
you are not familiar with the regulations which may be applicable, it is recommended that
you contact someone who is knowledgeable in this area.
The Sarnia Building By-law is primarily an administrative document that adopts the
Ontario Building Code and related standards to provide construction requirements.
Throughout this booklet the information provided is based on the minimum standards set out
in the Ontario Building Code and City Zoning By-law. Every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of information contained in this booklet. However, in the event of a discrepancy
between this booklet and the governing Act, Regulation or By-law, the Act, Regulation or
By-law will take precedence.
We strongly encourage applicants to discuss their specific projects with staff in the
Planning and Building Department of the City of Sarnia prior to commencement.
General Information
Do I require a building permit for a deck?
A building permit is required for a deck higher than 600mm (2 feet) above
average ground level or any deck which will eventually support an enclosed
structure with a roof such as a sun room, family room, etc.
Do I still need a building permit if my deck is not attached to my house?
Regardless of whether or not the deck is attached to the house or any other
structure on the property, a building permit is required, as noted above.
Example of a Typical Site Plan
What do the construction and elevation plans have to indicate?
The construction plans must show the overall size of the deck, the size and
spacing of the beams, posts, deck joists, the type of foundation you have chosen to
support the deck and the location of any stairs leading to or from the deck.
The elevation plan must show the height of the deck floor above finished ground
level at its highest point and the height and type of guardrail being used around the
perimeter of the deck.
Typical Construction Plan
Typical Deck Elevation Plan
Indicate size Indicate size
Indicate post of top and and spacing
size bottom rails of balusters
Indicate
height of
guardrail
Indicate
height of
Beam
deck floor
above grade
Decking
Deck Joist
Post
Ground
NOTE: Guard must be able to resist 0.75 kN
(168.6 lbs) of force at any point
Zoning
Deck Location:
Figure 1 Figure 2
Corner Lot
Side Yard Deck
A deck shall be located in any yard not closer than 0.9m to the side lot line
(Figure 1) except that if the side lot line abuts a flanking street the setback shall be
3m (Figure 2).
Figure 3 Figure 4
Corner Lot
Rear Yard Deck
A deck in any rear yard shall be located not closer than 0.9m to the rear lot line
(Figure 3). except that if the rear lot line forms part of the side lot line of an adjacent
property the setback shall be 3m (Figure 4).
Figure 5
Front Yard Decks
A deck in any front yard shall not be permitted to project more than 2.5m into the
required front yard (Figure 5).
If I cannot meet the zoning requirements, what are my alternatives?
Contact the Planning Department for options.
Foundations
(Surface pads are not recommended, but allowed under these conditions)
OPEN DECKS UNDER 600 MM (2 FEET) IN HEIGHT
Surface Pad Foundations
Surface pad foundations are only permitted when an open deck is
not more than one storey
not more than 55m2 (538 feet2) in area
not more than 600mm (2 feet) in distance from finished ground to the top of
decking
not supporting a roof; not attached to the house; or another structure
When using surface foundations, access must be provided to the foundation to
permit re-levelling of the deck platform. It can be provided either by:
a passageway with a clear height and width under the deck platform of not less
than 600mm (2 feet) by installing the decking in a manner that allows easy
removal (e.g. screws)
What are the recommendations for a surface pad foundation?
Surface pads of concrete should be a minimum of 75mm (3 inches) thick.
Wood posts and/or wood beams closer than 150mm (6 inches) to the ground must
be pressure-treated preservative lumber to prevent the premature deterioration of
the post of beam, which will be bearing on the pad.
Surface Pad Foundation:
Post
75 mm
(3 inches) Pad
minimum
Recommending pad to
be resting on 6 inches
of compacted granular
Can a pergola or a trellis type structure be added to a deck on pads?
No. A deck on pads is not permitted to support any additional structures. If
your long term goal is to enclose all or a portion of your deck with a trellis, a
screened in area or a sunroom, you must use a pile or pier foundation.
OPEN DECKS OVER 600 MM (2 FEET) IN HEIGHT
Pile or Pier Foundations
When the underside of the deck joists are more than 600mm (2 feet) above
the ground, the foundation depth must be at least the depth of frost penetration –
1.2m (4 feet). A pier or pile type foundation or alternatively a foundation designed
by a Professional Engineer is required.
Pier and Footing Spread Bore Pile
1-20M* 1-20M*
Minimum Minimum
4 feet 4 feet
below grade below grade
Refer to Pier
Size Chart Refer to Pier
for Size Size Chart
for Size
250 mm
(10 inches)
750 mm x 750 mm 750 mm (30 inches)
(30 inches x 30 inches) diameter
* refers to one 20mm diameter reinforcing bar
(part of the better building practice)
Structural
How far apart can these pads, piles, or piers be installed?
The location of the pads, piles, or piers can vary depending on the size and type
of material used for the beam that spans from one pad, pile, or pier to the other and
the amount of floor area that each individual pad, pile, or pier is required to carry.
Deck Beam Spacing:
HOUSE HOUSE
8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft.
8 ft. 8 ft.
Single Beam Deck
Multiple Beam Deck
What size posts should I use and how should they be anchored?
Posts, if used, should be at least the width of the beam, centred on the pad,
pile, or pier, and securely fastened to the beam by means of toe-nailing, wood
gussets, angle brackets, or other equivalent method. Posts exceeding 1.5m (5 feet)
in height should be (6 x 6) 140 x 140 and braced to each other or up to the beam
and floor or, alternatively, they should be anchored to the pad, pile, or pier in order
to prevent them from shifting at the bottom.
How far can the joists project beyond the face of the outside beam?
Joists are limited to a 600mm (2 feet) projection. If you are planning to
eventually enclose all or a portion of the deck with a roofed structure which could
carry snow, the Building Code states that the joists can only project 400mm
(16 inches) where 2x8 joists are used, and 600mm (2 feet) where 2x10 or larger
joists are used. The projection of 2x6 joists would require engineering analysis to
determine if the floor assembly would be sufficient to carry the superimposed roof
loads.
Note that even if you are not planning to enclose the deck in the future any
projections beyond those indicated above would require engineering analysis.
What size of deck joists do I require?
The size of the joists is governed by the distance they have to span and the
spacing at which the joists are installed. Joist spans are measured from face of
support to face of support (in case of a wood deck from face of beam to face of
beam, or from face of beam to face of a ledger board).
Another item you should take into consideration when selecting the type, size,
and spacing of your joists, is the type of material you intend to use as decking.
Check with your lumber dealer to ensure that the decking you select will not sag
significantly between the joists as a result of the joist spacing you have chosen.
Maximum allowable spans for deck joists
Joist Size Joist spacing (inches)
(inches)
16 24
2 x 6* 9’-9” 7’-11”
2x8 12’-10” 10’-6”
2 x 10 16’-5” 13’-4”
* 2 x 6 joists are limited to decks less than 2 ft. above grade.
Can I have joints in the beam?
Yes. However, joints are only permitted on multi-span beams. When joints are
necessary, they should be situated on a support post. On multi-ply laminated beams
the joints should be staggered so the joints occur on alternate supports. If it is
intended to project the beam beyond the end supports, there should be no joints on
the end support.
How far can I project the beam beyond the end support?
The beam can project up to a maximum of 600mm (2 feet) beyond the end
support.
How should beam laminations be nailed together?
Individual members must be nailed together with a double row of nails at least
89mm (3 ½ inches) apart in each row with the end nails located between 100mm
(4 inches) and 150mm (6 inches) from the end of each piece.
Single Beam Deck:
Midpoint
Supported
Joist Length
(Overhang
plus half span)
Joist
Beam
Overhang Span
Support Post
Foundation
Multiple Beam Deck:
Midpoint
Supported Supported
Joist Length Joist Length
(Overhang
Outer Beam Inner Beam
Overhang
Span Span
Foundation
Beam Size [mm (in)]
1.2 m (4’) 1.8 m (6’) 2.4 m (8’) 3 m (10’)
38 x 140 mm (2 x 6) 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 190 (2 x 8)]
38 x 190 mm (2 x 10) 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 190 (2 x 8)] 2-[38 x 190 (2 x 8)]
38 x 240 mm (2 x 10) 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 190 (2 x 8)] 2-[38 x 240 (2 x 10)] 2-[38 x 305 (2 x 12)]
38 x 305 mm (2 x 12) 2-[38 x 140 (2 x 6)] 2-[38 x 240 (2 x 10)] 2-[38 x 305 (2 x 12)] -
Note: Joist size and spacing limits the allowable span, L, in the figure above.
Pier size [mm(in)]
1.2 m (4’) 1.8 m (6’) 2.4 m (8’) 3 m (10’)
1.2 m (4’) 200 (8) 250 (10) 250 (10) 305 (12)
1.8 m (6’) 250 (10) 305 (12) 305 (12) 355 (14)
2.4 m (8’) 250 (10) 305 (12) 355 (14) -
3 m (10’) 305 (12) 305 (14) - -
Do the deck members need to be pressure treated?
When the vertical clearances between the wood elements and the finished ground
level is less than 150mm (6 inches) or when the wood elements are not protected from
exposure to precipitation they must be pressure treated with a preservative to resist
decay.
Guardrails / Handrails
What is the difference between guardrails and handrails?
Guardrails are intended to prevent persons from falling off the edge of a stair or a
raised floor area such as a deck. The guardrail must be able to withstand the pressure
of a human body applied horizontally to it.
Handrails are installed in areas where a hand grip is needed such as at a stair.
Will my deck require guardrails / handrails?
Guard / handrails are only required on decks that are more than 600mm (2 feet)
above finished ground level.
What if my deck is less than 600mm (2 feet) above finished ground level?
A guardrail is not required but, if one is provided, the openings through the guards
have restrictions. These openings must either be less than 100mm (4 inches) or greater
than 200mm (8 inches). This is to prevent children from accidentally getting their head
stuck in the guard.
What are the construction requirements for a required guardrail?
Required guardrails shall not be less than 900mm (3 feet) high where the walking
surface of the deck is not more than 1800mm (6 feet) above the finished ground level,
and 1070mm (42 inches) high where the walking surface exceeds 1800mm (6 feet)
Openings in the guardrail must prevent the passage of a spherical object having a
diameter of 100mm (4 inches).
Required guardrails shall be designed so no member attached or opening will
facilitate climbing.
Pre-manufactured guardrails must have CSA, ULC OR MEC approval. If you are
purchasing such a system please obtain a copy of such approvals from the supplier to
provide the City of Sarnia at the time of inspection.
Further Questions:
For prescribe standards regarding guards design refer to SB-7 of the Ontario
Building Code or consult with the City of Sarnia Building Department.
Guardrail Height:
guard shall be non-climbable
900 mm (36 inches) high
100 mm (4 inches) maximum opening
More than
600 mm
(2 feet)
Not more than
1.8 m (6 feet)
Ground
Guardrail
guard shall be non-climbable
1070 mm (42 inches) high
100 mm (4inches) maximum opening
More than
1.8 m (6
feet)
Ground
Can a built-in bench serve as a guardrail?
No, unless a guardrail meeting the previously described height and opening
requirements is provided above the flat surface of the bench and any openings
below the bench also meet the maximum opening requirements.
Guardrail height
measured above
bench
Built-in
Ground
Are there any requirements for stairs?
The Building Code requires the stair width to be at least 900mm (36 inches)
and that treads and risers have uniform rise and run in any one flight with riser
heights not exceeding 200mm (8 inches). The Building Code also requires the mini-
mum run of each tread to be 210mm (8 ¼ inches) and the minimum tread width to
be 235 mm (9 ¼ inches).
Are guardrails required for stairs?
Guards are required on stairs where there is a difference in elevation of more
than 600mm (2 feet) to finished ground level. The height of guards for flights of
steps shall be 900mm (3 feet) and be measured vertically from the top of the
handrail to a line drawn through the leading edge of the treads served by the guard.
Will the stairs also require a handrail?
The Building Code states that if any outside stair has more than three risers, a
handrail is required on one side of the stair. The handrail is to be located between
800mm (32 inches) and 965mm (38 inches) in height measured vertically above a
line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings. Stairs with 3 risers or less
do not require handrails.
Less than 100 mm (4 inches)
900 – 965mm
(36-38 inches)
NOTES:
