Home Improvements: Pools, Decks and Accessory Buildings

Fences
Please refer to the Fencing By-law for more information

Sheds and Garages (Accessory Buildings)
An accessory building (garage, tool shed, cabana, utility building, etc) is a permitted accessory use on any lot where a residential use is permitted.

If the area of the accessory building is 10 square metres or greater a building permit is required.

Regardless of the need for a building permit, an accessory building must meet the following requirements of the zoning by-law.

In any Residential Zone (see Note below), an accessory building:

• Cannot be located in a required front yard and must be setback at least 1.2 metres from the side and rear property lines. If the property is a corner lot, please contact the County of Brant Zoning Administrator for addition information regarding the setback on the “side street” side;
• Cannot be greater than 93 square metres in area;
• Cannot exceed 4.5 metres in height, measured from the average grade to the highest point of the roof;
• Cannot be used for habitation; and,
• Together with all the other buildings on the property, cannot cover more than 30 % of the lot.

Pools
A private swimming pool is a permitted accessory use on any lot where a residential use is permitted.

A swimming pool cannot be located in a front yard, and must be setback at least 1.5 metres from the side and rear property lines. If the property is a corner lot, please contact the County of Brant Zoning Administrator for addition information regarding the setback on the “side street” side.

Pool fencing is regulated under By-law 054-03.

Decks
An uncovered deck up to 0.6 metres above the average grade is considered to be a patio and no special regulations apply.

A deck that is greater than 0.6 metres above the average grade is considered to be an accessory structure. If the area of the deck is 10 square metres or greater a building permit is required.

Regardless of the need for a building permit, a deck must meet the following requirements of the zoning by-law. A deck is not permitted in a required front yard and must be setback at least 1.2 metres from the side and rear property lines. If the property is a corner lot, please contact the County of Brant Zoning Administrator for addition information regarding the setback on the “side street” side.

A covered deck is considered to be part of the main building and is subject to the regulations governing the main building. Please contact the County of Brant Zoning Administrator for addition information.

NOTE:
Residential uses in the built-up parts of Burford, Cainsville, Glen Morris, Harley, Middleport, Mount Pleasant, Oakland, Onondaga, Paris, Scotland and St. George, etc. are in Residential Zones. A residential use in a rural part of the County of Brant may be zoned in a Residential Zone or it may be zoned in an Agricultural Zone. An Accessory Building in an Agricultural Zone is not subject to the same area, height and coverage restrictions. You should consult the Zoning Administrator before you proceed with your plans.