Toronto pool houses
Pool House Builders in Toronto: Custom Pool Cabanas
We design and build cedar pool houses, cabanas and gazebos for Toronto backyards, from narrow city lots to ravine properties. Parts are built in our Aurora shop and installed on site.
The short answer
Cedar Wood Structures are pool house builders serving Toronto from our shop in Aurora, about an hour north. We design and build custom cedar pool houses, open cabanas and gazebos, prepare the permit drawings and install the structure. In Toronto, pool houses over 10 m² (107 sq ft) or with plumbing need a building permit.
Pool houses and cabanas we build in Toronto
We are a design and build company based in Aurora, about 45 minutes to an hour north of most Toronto neighbourhoods. For Toronto homeowners we build cedar pool houses, open cabanas and gazebos, either as custom pool cabanas designed around your yard or from our standard pool cabanas, which are pre-designed models you can adjust with different siding, roofs and partitions.
Enclosed pool house
Changing, storage, washroom
Walls, a door and windows, with room for a change room, a washroom or a small kitchen.
Open pool cabana
Shade and lounging
A roof with open sides, often with a bar counter and a storage closet.
Gazebo or pavilion
Shade over a patio
A freestanding roof over seating or a hot tub. We also build custom gazebos for Toronto yards that need shade more than walls.
Building on a Toronto lot
Toronto backyards vary a lot. Many older neighbourhoods have narrow lots and access only through a side yard or laneway. Other areas have deep lots with mature trees, and some back onto the ravine system.
We build the walls, roof and trim in our shop, so there is less cutting and noise on site, and the parts can usually be carried through a narrow side yard.
If your property backs onto a ravine or creek, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) may need to review the project, and the City’s ravine protection rules can also apply.
Why Cedar Wood Structures
- 28 years designing and building in Aurora
- Owner Val Dumitriu holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering
- Parts built in our shop, then installed on site
- Plans and permit drawings prepared by our team
- Free design consultation at your home
Toronto permits and zoning for pool houses
In Toronto, an accessory building such as a pool house or cabana needs a building permit if it is larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft). Any accessory building with plumbing, or attached to the house, needs a permit at any size. Zoning rules on setbacks, height and lot coverage apply even when no permit is needed. Other towns have their own by-laws, so check with your town or ask us.
Our design team prepares the plans and permit drawings and helps you through the application with the City.
Pool house, cabana or gazebo: how they compare
| Open cabana | Enclosed pool house | Gazebo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main use | Shade, lounging, a bar | Changing, storage, washroom, kitchen | Shade over seating or a hot tub |
| Walls | One to three sides open | Fully enclosed | Open, with optional screens |
| Plumbing | Optional | Common | Rare |
| Toronto permit | Needed over 10 m² or with plumbing | Almost always needed | Needed over 10 m² |
If you are still deciding between the two main types, our guide to pool cabana vs pool house explains the differences in more detail.
Planning a pool house in Toronto?
Book a free design consultation. We’ll look at your yard, access and pool, and suggest a layout that fits your lot and the City’s rules.
How a Toronto project works
Design
A free consultation and site visit, then a design drawn around your pool and house.
Drawings and permit
We prepare the drawings and help with the City of Toronto permit application where one is needed.
Shop build
Walls, roof framing and trim are built in our Aurora shop.
Installation
Our crew installs the structure on its foundation.
Our owner, Val Dumitriu, holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and has more than 20 years of construction experience. He leads a small team of designers and tradesmen, and we have been building outdoor structures for 28 years.
Cabana designs and recent work
Our article on designing a pool house for a small yard covers layouts that work on tighter Toronto lots.
“Val completed multiple projects for me over the past few years including an outdoor room, pool cabana and outdoor kitchen. He is reliable and always gets the job done right.”
Google review, multiple projects including a pool cabana
We build across Toronto, including North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough. Nearby, we also build pool cabanas in Markham and pool cabanas in Mississauga.
- Toronto
- Markham
- Mississauga
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Vaughan
- Aurora
- Newmarket
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a pool house in Toronto?
In Toronto, a pool house or cabana larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit, and any pool house with plumbing or attached to the house needs one at any size. Zoning rules on setbacks, height and lot coverage still apply to smaller structures. We prepare the permit drawings and help with the application.
How close to the property line can I build a pool house in Toronto?
It depends on your zone, the height of the building and its size, all set by the City of Toronto zoning by-law. We check the setbacks, height and lot coverage that apply to your lot during design, before any drawings go to the City.
Can you build a pool house on a narrow Toronto lot with no rear access?
Usually, yes. We build the walls, roof and trim in our Aurora shop and bring them in as parts that can be carried through a side yard or laneway.
What if my Toronto property backs onto a ravine?
Lots next to a ravine or creek may need a review by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the City’s ravine protection rules can also apply. We look at this at the start of design so it doesn’t delay the permit.
What cabana designs work best in Toronto backyards?
On smaller lots, a compact enclosed pool house with a change room and storage, or an open cabana with a bar counter, works well. Larger lots can fit a pool house with a washroom, or a separate gazebo over a hot tub.
Related services and guides
Ready to plan your Toronto pool house?
Book a free design consultation. We’ll visit your yard, talk through how you use the pool and design a pool house or cabana that fits your lot.
Permit information on this page is general guidance based on City of Toronto rules as of October 2026. Always confirm the requirements with your own municipality before you build.