{"title":"Abbotsford permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Abbotsford","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Abbotsford, a detached shed or other building under 10 m² does not need a building permit, but it must still follow zoning. A sundeck attached to a house needs a permit at any height, as does enclosing a carport. Larger sheds and garages need one too.","aliases":["shed permit abbotsford","deck permit abbotsford","garage permit abbotsford","carport permit abbotsford"],"cost":"$100 application fee for an addition, credited to the permit fee; the permit fee depends on the value of construction (see building-permit-fees). No permit fee if no permit is needed.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply online","value":"https://services.abbotsford.ca/portal"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Permits Division","value":"604-864-5525"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Permits Division","value":"building-info@abbotsford.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Services (zoning)","value":"604-864-5510"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Residential permits, New Builds and Additions guide","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/residential"},{"title":"Building Bylaw 2883-2018","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Abbotsford building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Abbotsford building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Abbotsford fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Abbotsford zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"No building permit for a detached building or structure under 10 m² in plan; it must still follow zoning and all other bylaws. The City's FAQ says a permit is required for an accessory building larger than 10 m².","short":"No if under 10 m² in plan","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"s. 16(b)","quotes":["a detached Building or Structure having an area, in plan, of less than 10 m2, but such Building or Structure must comply with this Bylaw"]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Accessory%20Buildings%20and%20Structures%20FAQ.pdf","title":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Accessory%20Buildings%20and%20Structures%20FAQ.pdf","section":"Accessory Buildings FAQ (2021)","quotes":["A building permit is required to build or place an accessory building or structure if it is larger than 10 m² (107.6 ft²)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A sundeck (an unenclosed deck connected to and partly supported by a dwelling) needs a building permit at any height. A freestanding deck under 0.6 m high with no roof is not a 'Structure' under the bylaw. A taller or roofed freestanding deck is a Structure and needs a permit unless it is under 10 m² in plan.","short":"Yes if attached; freestanding under 0.6 m: no","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"s. 3 (Sundeck, Structure), s. 28(d)","quotes":["a Sundeck, the enclosure of an area above or below an existing Sundeck, or the enclosure of a carport;","excludes landscaping, fences, and freestanding decks less than 0.6 m in height","Sundeck\" means an unenclosed Structure, connected to, and partially supported by, a dwelling","every person must apply for and obtain a Building Permit before commencing the Construction of any Building or Structure","a detached Building or Structure having an area, in plan, of less than 10 m2"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"Enclosing a carport needs a building permit. The bylaw has no separate garage rule: a detached garage under 10 m² is exempt; larger buildings, and any construction that changes a building's floor or roof plan, need a permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"s. 16(b), s. 28(c), (d)","quotes":["the enclosure of a carport;","any Construction which changes the plan view of any floor of a Building or the roof of the Building","a detached Building or Structure having an area, in plan, of less than 10 m2"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"Set by each zone. Example, RS3: accessory building up to 4.5 m high; 6.0 m from the front lot line, 1.0 m from rear and interior side lines, 4.5 m from the exterior side line, 1.5 m from the house; 40% lot coverage for all buildings. An accessory building attached to the house must meet the house's setbacks.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400350","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 350 Urban Residential Zone (RS3)","section":"s. 350.3 (RS3)","quotes":["Accessory Building or Structure – 4.5 m","Accessory Building or Structure – 6.0 m","Accessory Building or Structure – 1.0 m","Accessory Building or Structure – 4.5 m","a. 40%"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.4.1(b)","quotes":["it shall be considered a part of the Principal Building and shall comply in all respects with the Setback requirements for"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (Bylaw No. 2883-2018), s. 16 and 28; Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), s. 140 and the zone sections.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"title","quotes":["City of Abbotsford - Building Bylaw, 2018- - - Search Results | Clear Search | Previous (in doc) | Next (in doc) | Prev Doc | Next Doc | License Bylaw No. 2883-2018 ## Building Bylaw, 2018 Consolidated and printed by authority of the"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.4.1","quotes":["Accessory Buildings and Structures","Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Building Bylaw](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883), a detached building or structure under 10 m² in plan does not need a building permit, but it must still follow zoning and all other bylaws. The City's 2021 FAQ says a permit is required for an accessory building larger than 10 m². Neither says what happens at exactly 10 m².\n\n- **Sundeck** (an unenclosed deck connected to and partly supported by a dwelling): needs a permit at any height.\n- **Freestanding deck:** under 0.6 m high with no roof, it is not a \"structure\" under the bylaw. A taller or roofed one needs a permit unless it is under 10 m².\n- **Carport:** enclosing one needs a permit.\n- **Garage:** a detached garage under 10 m² is exempt. Larger ones, and any work that changes a building's floor or roof plan, need a permit.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone's height, setbacks and lot coverage with Planning Services (604-864-5510), even if no permit is needed.\n2. If a permit is needed, use the New Builds and Additions guide and checklists on the City's Residential permits page.\n3. Apply online and pay the application fee. Do not start until the permit is issued.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning limits are set by zone. In RS3, for example, an accessory building may be up to 4.5 m high, 6.0 m from the front lot line, 1.0 m from the rear and interior side lines, 4.5 m from the exterior side line and 1.5 m from the house, with 40% lot coverage for all buildings. Other zones differ.\n- An accessory building attached to the house must meet the house's setbacks.\n- Streamside protection, covenants and tree rules can also apply.\n- Work started without a permit adds 50% (if stopped) or 100% (if completed) to the permit fee.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/buildingpermits","title":"Building Permits, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400350","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 350 Urban Residential Zone (RS3)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/residential","title":"Residential building permits, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1532","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006 (Consolidated), Schedule G Building","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Accessory%20Buildings%20and%20Structures%20FAQ.pdf","title":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Accessory%20Buildings%20and%20Structures%20FAQ.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}