Guide to Detached Residential Accessory Buildings

32 Pages·2016·2.15 MB·English

A GUIDE TO
DETACHED RESIDENTIAL
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
The Building Division is responsible for administration and enforcement
of the Ontario Building Code and the municipality's Building and
Property Standards By-laws, along with various other statutes and
regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to safeguard life, limb
and health by establishing appropriate minimum standards. For more
information please visit our web site at www.saultstemarie.ca

Building Division responsibilities include:
 Plans examination
 Permit issuance
 Inspections
 Administration and enforcement of:
 By-Law 2005-150 – Comprehensive Zoning By-Law
 By-Law 2005-151 – A by-law providing special exceptions from the
provisions of By-Law 2005-150
 Property Standards By-Law 2012-9 Yards By-Law 2012-10
 –By-Law 2009-50 – Commonly cited as the "Sewer By-law”
 Streets By-Law 2008-
 Signs By-Law 2005-
 Moving By-Law 84-170
 Work Order Inquiries / Zoning Compliance Requests
 Issuance of Moving, Occupancy and Demolition of Building Permits
 Administration of the Property Standards Committee.
 Pool Regulations
 Ontario Building Code 'Interior Guards Details - SB-7' Booklet
 Ontario Building Code 'Exterior Guards Details- SB-7' Booklet
 TACBOC Standards (Toronto Area Chief Building Officials Committee)
Reference Documents Covering Topics:, Application Guide, Basement
Alterations, Carports, Decks, Garages, Barrier Free, Plumbing Systems,
Wall Sections & Details

Level 5 – Civic Centre
99 Foster Drive, P.O. Box 580
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5N1
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Table of Contents

Preface ...................................................... 4
Frequently Asked Questions ..................... 5
Is a building permit required? ................. 5
What information do I need? .................. 5
Construction Plans ............................... 8
Floor plan requirements ....................... 8
Section drawing ................................... 9
Elevation drawings ............................... 9
Where is my property line? .................. 9
Zoning ..................................................... 10
Foundations ............................................ 13
Framing ................................................... 17
Overhead Door Lintels ............................ 20
Rafters and Trusses ................................ 26

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Preface
Detached accessory buildings, such as garages and storage sheds,
vary in size and area. It is beyond the scope of this booklet to deal with
every possible situation. The requirements and construction guidelines
that follow are provided to assist you in designing and constructing a
detached garage or storage shed which will comply with the
regulations. If the nature of your project is different than that contained
in this booklet or you are not familiar with the regulations which may be
applicable, it is recommended that you contact someone who is
knowledgeable in this area such as a qualified designer.

Throughout this booklet the information provided is based on the
minimum standards set out in the Ontario Building Code and City
Zoning By-Law. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of
information contained in this booklet. However, in the event of a
discrepancy between this booklet and the governing Act, Regulation,
or By-Law, the Act, Regulation, or By-Law will take precedence.

We strongly encourage applicants to discuss their specific projects with
staff in the Planning and Building Division of the City prior to
commencement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a building permit required to build a detached garage, storage
shed or carport?

2 2
Any accessory building over 10m (108 ft ) in size will require a
building permit.

Buildings that are less than 10m2 (108 ft2) do not require a building
permit but are still required to conform to the setback and height
restrictions set out in the Zoning By-Law.
What information do I need to obtain a building permit?
1. Applications – you are required to complete a building permit
application in full. Applications are available on the City’s website at
www.saultstemarie.ca
2. Site Plan. You will need to attach 2 site plans consisting of:
 The property measurements
 Dwelling units and any other building locations and
measurements.
 Location of overhead power lines
 Any known easements including reserves
 Drainage swales – accessory buildings must be placed on site so
they do not interfere with any drainage swales.
 Indicate front, side, and rear setbacks from the lot lines.
 Location and size of the proposed garage or shed must also be
included.
See Figure 1 & Figure 2.
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Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Construction Plans
2 2
3.1 Garage / shed less than 55m (592 ft ) - smaller buildings do not
normally require submission of construction plans, designs may be
required from a Professional Engineer. Review this document for
such situations or call the Building Division directly at 705-759-5410.
2 2
3.2 Garage / Shed of 55m (592 ft ) or more - larger buildings require
submission of 2 copies of a site plan, floor plan, section, and
elevations. These plans must be clear and to scale. There must also
be sufficient detail to allow building staff to determine compliance
with the Ontario Building Code. If you are having someone else
provide the plans they must be registered with the Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) as a registered designer and
must provide a BCIN (Building Code Identification Number).

What is required to be shown on the floor plan?

 Size of garage / shed with dimensions
 Location and sizes of windows, doors, etc.
 Size of beams / lintels in wall openings, if required
 Direction of roof trusses
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What details are required on the section drawing?

 Type and thickness of materials in the roof, walls, and floor
assemblies
 Dimension of height of wall, pitch of roof, and size of overhang

What information should be indicated on the elevation drawings?

 Type of finish cladding material
 Window and door location
 Indicate roof slope and overhang
 Total building height
 Foundation line
 Grade line

Can I assume that the City sidewalk, edge of pavement, or
neighbor’s fence is the property line?

No. To accurately determine the location of your property line, please
refer to your survey (usually provided with purchase of the property). If
you do not have a copy of your survey, the Ontario Land Registry
Office may have a survey of your property on file.
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Zoning

How far away from the property line should my building be?

PLEASE NOTE: The following setbacks are only generalized
guidelines. Please contact the Building Division to confirm the setback
requirements for your specific property or you can view the required
set back information on the City’s web site at www.city.sault-ste-
marie.on.ca - See Table 1 and Figure 1 & 2

Where an accessory building is located on a property that abuts Lake
Superior or St. Mary’s River, the accessory building shall conform to
the same setbacks and height restrictions as set out for the main
building. This regulation applies to all R1 zoned properties regardless
of whether or not they abut Lake Superior or the St. Mary’s River.
Please contact the Building Division for more information.

With the exception of garages and carports, all accessory buildings
shall be located in the rear yard. Accessory buildings are not permitted
within a required exterior side yard, they must be located in the rear
yard or an interior side yard.

The setbacks for detached accessory buildings on corner lots vary
depending on the location of the corner lot where they are built, and
the configuration of the abutting lots.

For corner lots it is recommended that you contact the Building
Division to discuss your building proposal.
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