Tents, Patios, Awnings, and Canopies

Scope of Work

A building permit is required for a temporary tent or group of tents that meets any of the following conditions:

  • A single tent with an area of 60 m2 or more,
  • A group of tents with an aggregate area of 60 m2 or more,
  • A tent of any size that is attached to a building, or
  • One or more tents that are less than 3 m from adjacent structures.
Required Forms
Charges & Fees

Required Documentation

Required Inspections

Final Inspection (before)

Once the tent is completely assembled.

Final Inspection (after)

Once the tent is completely taken down.

Additional Information

  • Planning approval is required before a building permit can be issued.
  • The new construction must be located at a min. of 5' from the septic tank and a min. of 16'-5" from the septic bed.
  • All fabric, textile, or film is required to be certified to CAN/ULC-S109 “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films” or NFPA 701 “Fire Tests for Flame Propagation”.
  • The structure and all components, connections and fabric, as applicable, are required to be designed to resist all snow and wind load requirements for our region.
  • Mechanical Requirements: Tents, awnings, and canopies that are intended to be equipped with a fuel fired appliance or heater, as applicable, shall comply with the clearance and ventilation requirements provided by the manufacturer and all applicable standards. 
  • Enclosure Requirements: At least two full sides of the outdoor dining area must be open to the outdoors and must not be substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers as per Provincial legislation.

 

Important

The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and serves as an overview of common permit requirements based on project type.

Permit requirements, required documents, inspections, and approvals may vary depending on the scope of work, site conditions, applicable laws, and the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and the Chief Building Official (CBO).

Additional information or documentation may be required during the review of your application.