Guide
Building permits for decks, pools and renovations, fence and shed rules, inspections and reporting by-law concerns.
In Milton you need a building permit before building or renovating, including finishing a basement, adding windows or doors, building most decks and installing a pool or hot tub. Apply through the Town's online permit portal, pay the fee once the application is accepted, and book the required inspections. By-law concerns go to the Town's by-law enforcement at 905-878-7252 ext. 2137 or through its online form.
The Town says you need a building permit before any construction of a new building or renovation can begin, whether you are finishing your basement, adding windows or doors, or building a deck or pool. Building without a permit can result in fines and penalties under the Building Code Act.
Residential permits are applied for through the Town's online services portal. Every submission needs a completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish with the required drawings and forms, as PDF files generated directly from design software, not scans. Staff do a completeness review and email you; once the package is accepted you receive an invoice, and fees are due on receipt before the full review begins. You are emailed when the permit is issued.
The online portal accepts residential building permits (decks, additions, alterations, secondary suites and new builds), demolition permits, signage permits, septic permits, pool and spa enclosure permits, designated structures such as solar panels, temporary tents and air-supported structures, and agricultural buildings.
Revisions to an approved permit or application cannot be made through the portal; contact your permit administrator instead.
The Town publishes its most common residential permit fees on its Building Permits page. The minimum fee for any permit type is $264.20 unless noted otherwise, and many small projects have a flat rate.
An order to comply costs $338.86 and a stop work order $676.57.
Once a permit is issued you need inspections during the project and when it is complete, and it is the permit holder's or owner's responsibility to get them all. If your residential permit was submitted and issued through the online portal, book inspections there. Otherwise use the Building Inspection Request form or call 905-878-7252 ext. 2396 with the permit number and address, a contact name and phone number, and the date and type of inspection.
A building permit is required in Milton if your deck is a freestanding deck greater than 10 m² in area, or is attached to a building or structure. Apply through the online portal with a site plan, a structural or floor layout and a deck section, and check the zoning rules on deck height, privacy screening, setbacks and stairs. Typical inspections are footing, framing and final.
If your subdivision has not yet been assumed by the Town, you need a developer's clearance letter from the builder before a permit can be issued. Call 905-878-7252 ext. 2398 to check.
In Milton's urban zoning by-law, sheds and other accessory buildings in the low-density residential zones (RLD to RLD7) are allowed in the interior side yard and rear yard only, at least 0.6 m from side and rear lot lines, up to 3.0 m high. Their total floor area, counting all accessory buildings except detached garages and decks, is capped at 12 m² on lots under 660 m², 14 m² on lots of 660 to 830 m², and 16 m² on lots over 830 m².
No detached accessory building, deck, air conditioner or heat pump may sit on, under or over an easement. Rural properties fall under a separate zoning by-law, 144-2003.
In residential zones of the urban zoning by-law, fences can be up to 2.0 m high in a rear yard, interior side yard or exterior side yard, and no higher than 1.0 m in a front yard. Where a front yard adjoins the rear yard of a corner lot, the fence along that shared boundary can be up to 2.0 m. Height is measured from grade to the highest point of each 3.0 m section; where the grade varies, a section may reach 2.3 m if its lowest point is no more than 2.0 m.
Fencing around a deck may be up to 1.5 m above the deck platform, around no more than 60 per cent of the deck's perimeter including the house wall.
Milton's Fence Apportionment By-law sets out how the cost of a division fence between two properties may be shared. Speak with your neighbour first; if you agree, you can proceed without further action under the by-law. If you cannot agree, you may ask for the cost to be divided equally by preparing and serving a Notice of Intent on your neighbour, with the information the by-law requires. Keep copies of all notices.
Check the zoning rules on fence height, location, visibility triangles and corner lots before you build.
Yes. A pool permit is required to install a swimming pool or hot tub in Milton. Apply through the online portal with the Swimming Pool Permit Application and a site plan showing property lines, the pool and equipment setbacks, and the enclosure's fence type, height, gates and access points. Fees are paid when you apply. Pool permit approvals typically expire six months from the date the permit is issued.
Book the inspection once the fence and gates are installed, the pool is ready but empty, and the equipment location is prepared.
Your pool must be completely enclosed on all sides by a fence that meets Swimming Pool Fence By-law 077-2010. Fences and gates must be at least 1.2 m high and no higher than the zoning by-law allows. Gates need substantial hinges and self-closing, self-latching devices near the top on the pool side, and must stay locked whenever the pool is not directly supervised. House walls can form part of the enclosure if doors and windows opening to the pool area have safety latches and locking devices.
The pool or hot tub must stay empty until the enclosure, or the hot tub lid, is inspected and approved by the Town. Pools and their equipment must be in an interior side or rear yard, at least 1.2 m from side and rear lot lines.
A site alteration permit may be required to change the elevation or grading of your property, such as bringing in or removing fill, changing drainage, levelling or building privacy berms. A permit is generally not needed for topsoil work for lawns, landscaping or gardens if the grade rises no more than 0.15 m, drainage to or from neighbours does not change significantly, no work is within 0.6 m of a lot line, and no more than 20 m³ of topsoil is added in any four consecutive months.
Milton's by-law enforcement officers enforce municipal by-laws and investigate concerns such as noise, property standards, littering or dumping, parking and animal services. File a complaint online, by phone at 905-878-7252 ext. 2137 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or in person at the Community Services counter at Town Hall, 150 Mary St. Provide your phone number, email address and residential address if you want the officer to follow up.
For immediate emergency help outside business hours, the Town directs residents to Halton Regional Police Service.
In Milton, grass and weeds on your lawn and boulevard must be less than 8 inches (20.32 cm) tall, and plants must be trimmed and not overgrown. Yards must be free of litter and waste, composting is allowed only in the rear yard, standing water is not allowed, and items must not be stored on the boulevard or road allowance.
No. Under Fireworks By-law 088-2023, the sale, distribution and discharge of consumer fireworks are prohibited in Milton. Public fireworks displays are allowed if they are discharged by a licensed display supervisor, have $5 million in comprehensive general liability insurance, follow all safety requirements and receive a Public Exhibition Permit from Milton Fire & Rescue Services.
Report fireworks that break the by-law using the Town's online form; for situations that need immediate attention, contact police directly.
Town of Milton
Building PermitsTown of Milton
Building Permit Applications and Portal LoginTown of Milton
Building InspectionsTown of Milton
DecksTown of Milton
Comprehensive Zoning By-law 016-2014 (Urban Area)Town of Milton
FencesTown of Milton
Pool PermitsTown of Milton
Pool Enclosure Permit Application GuideTown of Milton
Site Alteration PermitTown of Milton
By-Law EnforcementTown of Milton
Be a Good NeighbourTown of Milton
Fireworks