Deck, Sunroom & Fence

Why do I need a permit?
Building and development permits are important to help ensure structures and buildings are safe to use and comply with minimum standards. They allow your municipality to protect the interests of both individuals and the community as a whole. By reviewing and approving building permit applications before any work is done, the property owner can have increased confidence that the construction will meet the applicable building standards and that their asset is protected. The development permit ensures that any changes to the property meet zoning requirements. Through the applicable City Bylaws and Provincial Legislation, the property owner is responsible to ensure compliance with:

• the National Building Code of Canada, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection and accessibility
• the City of Regina Zoning Bylaw 2019 and other planning controls on buildings

Do I need to fill this application out or can that be done by an experienced friend or contractor?
Anyone can fill out the form, but the application must be signed by the legal landowner (name on land title).

Just like repairing your car, building a deck requires a specific skill set and understanding. The application package and process were designed to increase the success of first-time deck builders. However, inexperienced applicants may require additional support from a friend or professional contractor. Remember, it is the property owners’ responsibility to meet the required building standards. Our team of building officials are here to help clarify general questions, however they cannot complete the design.

Do I need a permit to replace my front steps?

Why do I need a site plan?
The development standards for decks within the zoning bylaw are intended to ensure a degree of uniformity and consistency of development within a neighbourhood, allowing use and enjoyment of property, preventing conflicts with adjacent properties and ensuring development follows the purpose and intent of neighbourhood development policies of the City’s Official Community Plan.

Is a front porch considered a deck?
Yes. A front porch would follow the deck application guide for covered deck requirements.

Does a raised patio require a permit?
No, a raised patio that is supported on ground/fill does not require a permit. Landscaping in general does not require a permit.

Does a pergola or gazebo need a permit?
Not if the pergola or gazebo is less than 10 square metres in size. Structures over 10 square metres in size, that are not attached to other structures and/or do not carry a snow load, require a development permit only. Structures that are attached to the home or other structures, or that will carry a snow load, require both a building permit and development permit. The deck application package above applies for both.

Do privacy walls require a permit?
No, a permit is not required. If the wall is acting as a guard, it must meet the same loading and height requirements as prescribed in 9.8.8. of the NBC 2015 and it must be securely fastened to the structure.

What’s the best way to fasten a deck to my house? 
Attaching a deck correctly relies on many important factors such as, design, fasteners, deck size and construction of the house. Generally, a ledger board is used as the base for attaching joists. Be sure to read and follow your chosen fastener manufacturers’ recommendations on size and spacing to ensure your deck is secure to the building.

Structural screws are the most commonly used method of attachment. The most common supplied structural screws used in Regina are GFK and Simpson Strong-Tie. Other methods include galvanized lag screws and lag bolts.

What if my house already has a ledger board attached, but no deck built yet?
Some houses may have a ledger fastened prior to starting your project. Don’t assume it was done correctly. A good indication it was not done correctly is if it was fastened with deck screws or nails, or if the fasteners are not provided with a coating appropriate for pressure treated lumber.

Fastening a deck to the building is one of the most important aspects of building a deck and ensuring it’s safe for occupancy. This can also be a complicated process to understand. If you are unsure how to do this properly, reach out to a knowledgeable contractor, designer or engineer.

Why are the beam overhangs/cantilevers in this application different than other Cities?
The City of Regina follows the Residential Prescriptive Exterior Wood Deck Span Guide published by the Canadian Wood Council (CWC). The CWC guide provides beam and joist spans, along with joist overhangs. The CWC guide does not provide beam overhangs.

Calculating the structural loading of a beam overhang is complicated and is contingent on fasteners, member connections, material type and many other variables. The City of Regina has provided some general beam overhang guidelines in the application package based on the structural assumptions found in page 2 of the CWC guide, and historical practices. The City of Regina provided these values so that applicants don’t have to complete calculations themselves while giving additional flexibility in their designs.

In general, the overhangs provided in the application package are conservative. Therefore, deck permit applicants can provide less conservative designs as long as they are sealed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in the Province of Saskatchewan.

Why are guards not permitted on 2 x 6 joists?
Guard rails will not meet the loading requirements if they are fastened to a 2 x 6 joist or rim board. This requirement is found in the Residential Prescriptive Exterior Wood Deck Span Guide published by the Canadian Wood Council.

Guardrails are required to help prevent falling when a deck is more than 600mm (2ft) above the ground. Therefore, decks over 600mm (2ft) may have to be constructed with 2 x 8 lumber or larger.