DECK CONSTRUCTION DRAWING PACKAGE - City of Pickering - 8-Step Guide - Deck Inspections & Pier Sizing Tables

Oct 23, 2026

City of Pickering deck construction guidance provides a code-compliant deck construction drawing package to support building permit applications. It outlines steps to check zoning, confirm environmental protection requirements, determine when a building permit is required, prepare a dimensioned site plan, produce construction drawings using the Ontario Building Code, assemble drawings and apply electronically, and schedule inspections. It includes deck inspection types, contact details, and deck joist/roof joist span data plus supported pier sizing tables and formulas based on supported area, load, and soil bearing capacity, along with key construction notes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Start the process by following these steps:

STEP 1: Check the zoning on the property

STEP 2: Is your property environmentally protected?

STEP 3: Find out if you need a Building Permit

STEP 4: Prepare a Site Plan drawing

STEP 5: Prepare the construction drawings

STEP 6: Assemble the drawings and apply for a permit

STEP 7: Book your Building Permit inspections

DECK INSPECTIONS

STEP 8: Enjoy the deck!

Deck Joist and Roof Joist Span Table, Pier Sizing Tables and Notes

Pier sizing: supported area and formulas

DECK CONSTRUCTION DRAWING PACKAGE The City of Pickering Deck Construction Drawing Package consists of sample,code compliant drawings of typicalconstruction and have been made available to assist you in the preparation of your building permit application.Thispackage willbe issued with your building permit and therefore the deck construction must meet the minimum requirements noted on these drawings along with the any notes the City of Pickering Plans Examineradds to your issueddrawings. ## Start the process by following these steps: STEP 1:Check the zoning on the property Municipal Zoning by-laws regulate where the location,height and size of thedeck.Contact the City of Pickering Zoning Examiner for site specificinformation. ## STEP 2:Is your property environmentally protected? To find out if your property contains environmentally protected naturalfeatures contact Toronto and Region Conservation Authority(TRCA)andCentral Lake Ontario Conservation Authority(CLOCA). ## STEP 3:Find out if you need a Building Permit ·s the deck greater than 10 square meters in area? ·s the floor of the proposed deck higher than 600 mm from grade? ·Is the proposed deck attached to the building? If you answered“YES”to any of the above questions,the deck requires aBuilding Permit. ## STEP 4:Prepare a Site Plan drawing Prepare a dimensioned site plan.showina the proposed deck and all otherstructures on the property.The site plan shows the location of the deck inreference to the property line and is used to verify zoning compliance ofsetbacks,height and coverage. ## STEP 5:Prepare the construction drawings Use the Ontario Building Code and Deck Construction Drawings Package toprepare construction drawings for the deck. ## STEP6:Assemble the drawings and apply for a permit All applications for Building Permits must be submitted electronically.A Building Permit will be issued after the City of Pickering Plans Examinercompletes the review of the submitted drawings.The Building Permit must beprinted and clearly displayed on the property. ## STEP 7:Book your Building Permit inspections To book an inspection visit the City of Pickering website and searchinspection requests.Your first inspection will happen prior to pouring concrete footings. DECK INSPECTIONS Call 905.420.4631 to arrange inspections.Provide your approved drawingsto the inspector.Failure to arrange inspections prior to covering the work | may result in delays or the removal of finishes after work is completed. | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | Type of Inspection | Required | | | Footing/Foundation | Prior to pouring concrete | | | Framing/Structure | Prior to covering | | | Final | On completion of deck | ANY STREET ## STEP 8:Enjoy the deck! The 8 steps is a summary of the City of Pickering's Deck Construction Guide.For the fullguide,please visit City of Pickering website and search DeckConstruction Guide. City6 DK CONSTRUCTION DRAWING PACKAGESITE PLANDK01 DECK JOIST AND ROOF JOIST SPAN TABLE SUPPORTED AREA OF A PIER | | Maximum Span(m) | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Deck Load or Specified Snow Load (kPa) | | | | | | | | | | | 1.0 | | | 1.5 | | | 2.0 | | | | | Joist Spacing
(mm) | | | Joist Spacing
(mm) | | | Joist Spacing
(mm) | | | | Joist Size
(mm) | 300 | 400 | 600 | 300 | 400 | 600 | 300 | 400 | 600 | | 38×140 | 3.89 | 3.53 | 3.08 | 3.40 | 3.08 | 2.69 | 3.08 | 2.80 | 2.45 | | 38×184 | 5.11 | 4.64 | 4.05 | 4.46 | 4.05 | 3.54 | 4.05 | 3.68 | 3.22 | | 38×235 | 6.52 | 5.93 | 5.18 | 5.70 | 5.18 | 4.52 | 5.18 | 4.70 | 4.11 | | 38×286 | 7.94 | 7.21 | 6.30 | 6.94 | 6.30 | 5.50 | 6.30 | 5.73 | 5.00 | Piers transfer the deck load to the soil and musthave sufficient bearing area to do so.Thesupported area

FAQs

How do I determine whether a building permit is required for the deck?

Check whether the deck is greater than 10 square meters, whether the deck floor is higher than 600 mm from grade, and whether the deck is attached to the building. If you answered “YES” to any, the deck requires a Building Permit.

What information must be included in the site plan drawing?

Prepare a dimensioned site plan showing the proposed deck and all other structures. The plan must indicate the deck location relative to the property line to verify zoning compliance for setbacks, height, and coverage.

When should deck inspections be scheduled and what inspections are required?

Your first inspection happens prior to pouring concrete footings. Required inspections include Footing/Foundation (prior to pouring concrete), Framing/Structure (prior to covering), and Final (on completion of the deck), arranged through the City of Pickering inspection requests.

Oct 23, 2026

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