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Burnaby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?

Burnaby, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Burnaby, a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² that creates no hazard does not need a building permit. Larger accessory buildings, garages, carports and decks generally do, and zoning rules still apply. Call the Building Department if unsure.

Key facts

ShedsA shed or other accessory building under 10 m² that creates no hazard is exempt from the BC Building Code, and Burnaby's Building Bylaw does not apply to buildings the Code exempts, so no building permit is needed. Larger accessory buildings need one. Zoning rules still apply. Call the Building Department if unsure.Home Improvement Permits, Home Improvement Permits page, "Additions" and "When do you need a permit?"; BC Building Code 2024, Province of BC, BC Building Code 2024, Division A, s. 1.1.1.1(2)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Any construction project that includes the excavation, erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair or demolition of any building or structure including accessory and temporary buildings requires a permit.
whereas new accessory buildings or detached garages are classified as new buildings.
If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please contact the Building Department.
accessory buildings less than 10 m2 in building area that do not create a hazard,
This Code does not apply to the following:
DecksNo height threshold is stated. Building or enlarging a deck is treated as an addition and handled through an online building permit application; the general rule is that erecting or enlarging any structure needs a permit.Home Improvement Permits, Home Improvement Permits page, "Additions" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This includes expansions to existing accessory building/structures such as garages, awnings, patio covers, fences, retaining walls, decks, and hot tubs.
To proceed, applicants must submit a permit application online through the City's My Permits portal.
Garages and carportsYes. A new detached garage is a new building and an attached garage is an addition; both need a building permit, applied for online. A garage or carport permit carries a $5,634 damage deposit.Home Improvement Permits, Home Improvement Permits page, "Additions"; Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2, Schedule E2, s. 14(12) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Attached garages are also considered additions, whereas new accessory buildings or detached garages are classified as new buildings.
o Construction of carport or garage $5,634.00
Zoning limitsR1 lots: accessory buildings max 4.0 m high and 1 storey; at least 1.5 m from the lane and interior rear lot lines, 1.2 m from interior side lot lines, 2.4 m from other buildings. They count toward lot coverage, capped at 30% to 55% depending on housing type and lot size; one detached structure under 5 m² is excluded.Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated, Part 3, R1 s. 1.1.5; Part 4 s. 1.1 and 1.2.2; Part 6 s. 1.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Accessory Buildings 4.0 m | 1 storey
Lane Yard 1.5 m
Interior Rear Yard principal: 3.0 m | accessory: 1.5 m
A minimum building separation of 2.4 m is required between detached accessory buildings and all
(l) up to one detached accessory structure less than 5 m2 in gross floor area.
No accessory building or structure, excluding fences and retaining walls, shall be erected on any lot
Minimum Lot Line Setbacks for All Buildings
Maximum Lot Coverage 55% 40% 45%
Lots > 567 m2: 30%
Between All Other Buildings 2.4 m
BylawBurnaby Building Bylaw 2016 (No. 13658), Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815) and the BC Building Code 2024 (Division A, s. 1.1.1.1).Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), title page; Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Burnaby Building Bylaw 2016 Bylaw No. 13658
This Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building
ZONING BYLAW BYLAW NO. 14815

How it works

Under the Building Bylaw, the BC Building Code's exemptions carry through. The Code exempts accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard, so a shed of that size needs no building permit. Larger accessory buildings need one.

  • Deck: the City's pages state no height or size threshold. Building or enlarging a deck is treated as an addition, handled through an online building permit application.
  • Garage or carport: a new detached garage is a new building and an attached garage is an addition. Both need a building permit, applied for online.

Zoning rules apply either way. In R1 under the Zoning Bylaw 2026, accessory buildings are limited to 4.0 m high and 1 storey. They must be at least 1.5 m from the lane and interior rear lot lines, 1.2 m from interior side lot lines and 2.4 m from other buildings. They count toward lot coverage, capped at 30% to 55% depending on housing type and lot size; one detached structure under 5 m² is excluded. Other districts have their own rules.

Steps

  1. Check your lot's zoning and setbacks, and call the Building Department at 604-294-7130 if you are unsure a permit is needed.
  2. Apply on My Permits Portal.
  3. Pay the fees and, for a garage or carport, the damage deposit.
  4. Book inspections once the permit is issued.

Good to know

  • Decks projecting no more than 1.2 m from the wall are excluded from lot coverage. A garage or carport attached to the house counts as part of the principal building.
  • Side and street yard setbacks also apply; see the R1 table.
  • A Development Permit may also be required for some projects.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

New Westminster · Richmond · Port Moody · Belcarra · Vancouver · Coquitlam

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Home Improvement Permits, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
  2. BC Building Code 2024 (PDF), Province of BC (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule E2 (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. General Building Information, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.