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Types of accessory buildings or structures
- Detached garage
- Detached carport
- Shed
- Gazebo
To construct an additional dwelling unit (ADU) in a detached building, please visit guelph.ca/adu for information on Zoning regulations and permit requirements.
When is a building permit required?
A permit is required for accessory buildings or structures:
- That are over 10 square metres (107 square feet) in size
- Any size building that contains plumbing
A permit is not required for:
- Pergolas where the roof is at least 50% open and cannot support any accumulated snow (e.g.: 2×4’s spaced 12″ apart)
- Detached, one-storey storage sheds that are 15 square metres (161 square feet) or smaller.
Zoning regulations
All accessory buildings must comply with Zoning regulations regardless of whether a building permit is required or not. These requirements may include:
- Cannot be in a front or required exterior side yard
- Must be set back a minimum of 0.6 metres (2 feet) from the property line
- Cannot occupy more than 30% of the yard it is in
- Cannot exceed 4 metres (13 feet, 1 inch) in height (to the midpoint of the roof)
- Cannot exceed 70 square metres (753 square feet) in area
No human habitation is permitted in an accessory building. For regulations on additional dwelling units in a detached building, visit guelph.ca/adu.
Refer to the Zoning Bylaw for current up-to-date regulations. For more information, please contact Zoning Services staff at [email protected] or at 519-837-5615 extension 4271.
Submission requirements
The following is a list of documents required to be submitted with your application. Please ensure all your documents, including drawings and forms, are ready in PDF format before starting your online application.
Note: All drawings are drawn to a recognizable scale (e.g.: ¼” = 1’-0”) and all walls to be indicated with a double line to show wall thickness. Partial floor plans or photos will not be accepted.
- Survey or site plan of the property showing the following details:
- Width and depth of the lot
- Location of the proposed accessory building and all existing buildings or structures on the property including the house
- Size of the proposed accessory building and all other existing accessory building(s) on the property (if applicable)
- Distance to property lines (distance from the accessory building to property lines)
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan(s)
- Roof framing plan
- Engineered roof truss layout signed by the designer (if applicable)
- Exterior elevations of all sides
- Cross section of the building showing all floor/wall/roof assemblies
- Schedule 1 form (can be uploaded as a PDF or see fillable form in step 5) – This will be filled out by your BCIN designer or alternatively you can take responsibility for the drawings being the owner of the property without meeting the qualification requirements. If you are taking responsibility as the owner of the property, complete sections A, B, C (description of work) and D with your basis for exemption from qualification and registration requirements being that you are the “owner”.
Additional information
Please visit the residential permits and inspections webpage for additional information on planning your project, how to submit your permit application, permit fees and mandatory inspections.