Garage Door Requirements to Dwelling
Last updated: June 2026
Fire-rated doors, thresholds, and step requirements between garage and house.
Detailed explanation
Doors between an attached garage and the dwelling must meet fire-protection requirements and be self-closing. Solid wood or steel doors of minimum thickness are common solutions where a specific rating is not labeled.
Some jurisdictions require a step or raised sill at the garage-to-house door to prevent gasoline vapour migration. Verify local amendments to the OBC.
Weather stripping and tight-fitting frames reduce air movement between the garage and living spaces.
Ontario Building Code references
Ontario Building Code
Section 9.10.16. — Doors in fire separations
Door construction and closing.
Ontario Building Code
Section 9.10.15. — Fire separations
Assembly continuity at door openings.
Examples
- Replacing a hollow-core garage entry door with a compliant solid door and self-closing hinges.
- Adding fire weather-stripping and a threshold at the garage-to-kitchen door during renovation.
Common mistakes
- Hollow-core doors at the garage-to-house boundary.
- Removing self-closing devices or spring hinges.
- Cutting pet doors into fire-separation doors.
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