Integrated Services - Building Division
Accessory Buildings
A Homeowners Guide For The Construction Of Accessory Buildings And Structures Such As Detached Garages And Storage Sheds
This brochure is intended as a guide only to assist the public with understanding the processes in place.
We have attempted to be as accurate as possible in providing the information, however we do not guarantee or assume liability for its correctness.
The complete current By-laws of the City of Welland will take precedent over the general information provided in this brochure.
January 2012
When planning to construct an accessory building such as a detached garage or storage shed, this guide will assist you the Homeowner, when a Permit is required and what is required for the Building Permit Application and any Zoning Regulations governing the construction of these structures.
Common Questions and Information:
- Definitions as per City of Welland Zoning By-law 2667 and 1538 (Crowland)
- When and Why a Permit is Required
- It is the Responsibility of the Homeowner to ensure a Permit is Obtained Prior to any Construction of these Structures
- Excerpt from City of Welland Zoning By-law 2667
- Excerpt from Zoning by-law 1538 (Crowland)
- Building By-law 2005-91, as amended
- Applying for a Permit
- Required Drawings
- Standard Drawings
- What to do when waiting for the Permit to be Issued
- What to do when the Permit has been Issued
For more information contact:
The City of Welland
Integrated Services
Building Division
60 East Main Street
Welland, Ontario
L3B 3X4
Telephone: (905) 735-1700
Fax: (905) 735-8772
Definitions As Per City Of Welland Zoning By-Law 2667 And 1538 (Crowland)
Accessory Building/Structures: A building or structure, not used or intended to be used for human habitation, detached from but located on the same lot as, the principle use, building or structure, the use of which is incidental, subordinate and exclusively devoted to that of the principal building or structure.
When And Why A Permit Is Required
In general a Building Permit is required for all buildings and structures greater than 107 ft² (10 m²) in area. Buildings and structures under 107 ft² do not require a Permit but must still comply with the City of Welland Zoning By-laws.
Building Permits are necessary to ensure Zoning requirements, compliance with the Ontario Building Code for structural and safety standards and to comply with any other applicable Provincial and Municipal regulations.
It Is The Responsibility Of The Homeowner To Ensure A Permit Is Obtained Prior To Any Construction Of These Structures.
Constructing or altering a structure without a Permit can result in numerous problems including:
- complaints from neighbors
- not conforming with the Building Code
- difficulty selling the property
- putting yourself at liability should a injury occur to someone (visiting your property) as a result of a structure not conforming to the Building Code
- extra cost in having to reconstruct the structure according to Zoning By-law and Building Code
- insurance protection nullification
- increased Permit fees (minimum $133.00 extra charge)
- possible demolition of structure.
- possible ticket fine - $400.00
- possible Court fine - maximum $50,000.00 first offence if convicted.
Excerpt From City Of Welland Zoning By-Law 2667
No accessory building with a flat roof shall exceed a height of 3.0 m (9’-10”).
No accessory building with a mansard, gambrel, hip (cottage), or any other style roof shall exceed a height of 4.0 m (13’-1”).
No accessory structures, shall exceed a height of 3.0 m (9’-10”).
All accessory buildings and structures shall be located in the rear yard or in any interior side yard and shall be at least 0.9 m (2’-11”) from the nearest lot line. Accessory buildings greater than 10 m² (107 ft²) in area also shall be located at least 0.9 m (2’-11”) from any main building.
In case of a corner lot, any accessory building/structure located in the rear yard shall have setbacks from property lines in accordance with Schedule “E” and/or “E2”.
All accessory buildings and structures on a lot shall not exceed 75% (percent) of the footprint of the main building and 10% (percent) of the lot area.
Footprint: The greatest horizontal area of a building above grade measured to the outside walls or columns of the building or roofed structure including all spaces within the building, but excluding open air swimming pools, decks, steps, fire escapes, exterior stairways, ramps and the like.
Excerpt From Zoning By-Law 1538 (Crowland)
No accessory building or structure shall exceed a (mean) height of 4.6 m (15’-1”) nor one storey.
All accessory buildings or structures on a lot shall not exceed 10% (percent) of the lot area of the said lot.
Applying For A Permit
Applications for a Building Permit are available at the City of Welland Integrated Services - Building Division or downloaded at the City of Welland web site.
With the submission of an Application you will be required to submit two (2) copies of detailed construction drawings and the required Building Permit fees and deposit. If you require assistance to develop these drawings, sample and standard drawings are available for your use along with the current fee schedules at the City of Welland Integrated Services - Building Division.
Building Permits may be applied for by a property Owner, or by an Agent on behalf of the Owner, such as the Contractor or Designer.
Required Drawings
As mentioned above, two (2) complete copies of detailed drawings are required with the submission of an Application.
A complete detailed site plan showing the following:
- north arrow
- scale
- legal description - lot and plan numbers
- easements
- street names
- lot dimensions
- setbacks to all property lines for the existing dwelling and the proposed building or structure
- information for all existing buildings and structure such as size and location
- size and height dimensions
- location and size of all door and window openings
- material used along with size and spacing
- beams and posts size and spacing
- concrete piers size, depth and spacing
- roof framing (if applicable) - trusses or rafter size and spacing
- anchoring and fastening details
- concrete slab or footing details - size, thickness and reinforcement
- normally construction drawings for accessory buildings will include as a minimum, four elevations and at least one cross section.
Concrete floating slabs greater than 55 m² (592 ft²) are permitted, but must be designed by a Professional Engineer.
Pre-Engineered truss drawings must be provided with Application for Permit or prior to framing inspections if being used.
No glazed openings such as in windows and doors are permitted in any exterior wall less than 1.2 m (3’-11”) from any property line.
New Materials/Systems: Additional information such as manufacturers specifications or engineering details may be required for materials/systems which are not specifically described in the Ontario Building Code for normal review.
The original drawings must be submitted to scale and fully dimensioned in either metric or imperial units with the appropriate information shown as noted above.
Standard Drawings
City of Welland Standard Drawing package entitled “Complete Package” is available for use by Applicants for accessory buildings. The package is available at the Integrated Services - Building Division or can be downloaded from our web site. You may mark up this package prior to submission. If you are proposing a building of such a shape or construction not described in the package, you must have your own drawings prepared.
What To Do When Waiting For The Permit To Be Issued
Once you have submitted your Application you must wait for the Permit to be issued. You do not have a Permit at this point. We will review all Applications in order of submission as quickly as we can. We are aware of the importance to you in obtaining the Permit quickly. Please make yourself available at the telephone number listed during the review process to ensure we can contact you should we require clarification of something.
What To Do When The Permit Has Been Issued
Once you receive your Permit, please read the approved Permit documents thoroughly before commencing construction. The construction must be in accordance with the approved plans and documents issued with your Permit. Any changes during or before construction must be noted to the Building Division and a Change Requisition form must be filled out and approved accordingly.
Several inspections are also required during construction to ensure that all work is done in accordance with the approved plans:
- prior to pouring any concrete for piers or footings
- framing inspection
- final inspection
Note: It is the responsibility of the Owner to ensure that either you or the Contractor contacts the City of Welland Integrated Services - Building Division to request an inspection at least 48 hours before the inspection.
Failure to schedule, will result in not being permitted to occupy or use the structure and may also result in uncovering the work.
For inspection call 905-735-1700, Extension 2257 or 2251 City of Welland Integrated Services - Building Division.
Please have your Permit Number ready when scheduling an inspection.
If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the City of Welland Integrated Services - Building Division between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 905-735-1700 and someone would be happy to answer any question.
© 2012 The Corporation of The City of Welland
60 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4 (905) 735-1700
Business Hours - Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm