Campbell River permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed or garage?
Short answer
In Campbell River a shed, garage, carport or other detached building over 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs a building permit. A deck needs one unless it is under 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. Zoning limits apply either way.
Key facts
| Sheds | A shed or other detached (ancillary) building needs a building permit if it is more than 10 m² (108 sq ft). The City says structures under about 10 m² usually do not need a permit.Building Permits and Inspections, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou will require a permit if the structure will be more than 108 square feet (10 square metres). structures less than 10 sqm (107 sqft) usually don’t even require a Building Permit |
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| Decks | A deck needs a building permit unless its surface is less than 600 mm above grade, it is not attached to a building, and it has no walls or roof (Building Bylaw s. 4.3(e)). Decks 600 mm or higher, or attached to a building, are covered by s. 11.1.Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 4.3(e); Residential Building Permit Information, January 2017, You will need a Building Permit for · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdecks or patios which surface is less than 600mm above the ground or finished grade, which are not attached to a building and have no walls or roof; constructing, repairing, altering a building or structure, including a swimming pool or Making structural changes (renovations) to the interior or exterior of the building including a deck; |
| Garages and carports | A detached garage, carport or other ancillary building more than 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs a building permit, per the City's FAQ. The City publishes Garage Plan Requirements for applications. An attached garage is part of the house or addition permit.Residential Building Permit Information, January 2017, You will need a Building Permit for; Building Permits and Inspections, Guidelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruction of an ancillary building (including a carport) larger than 10 square meters (107 square feet); Garage Plan Requirements You will require a permit if the structure will be more than 108 square feet (10 square metres). |
| Zoning limits | Urban lots: all ancillary buildings combined up to 80 m², height up to 5.0 m, not in the front yard or a side yard next to a road, at least 0.75 m from side and rear lines. Rural and Lakeshore lots: combined 160 m², height up to 6.0 m, not in any required yard.Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 4.12(c), (d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust be equal to or less than 80 square metres. The maximum height for any ancillary building is 5.0 metres. at least 0.75 metres from side and rear lot lines. The combined floor area of all ancillary buildings on the lot must be equal to or less than 160 square metres. The maximum height of the ancillary building is 6.0 metres |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023; Zoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006 (s. 4.12 and 4.13)Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), title; Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 4.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 3899, 2023 ANCILLARY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES |
How it works
In Campbell River, the City's FAQ says a shed, garage, carport or other detached (ancillary) building needs a building permit if it is more than 10 m² (108 sq ft). Smaller ones usually do not, but zoning rules and Development Permits still apply. An attached garage is part of the house or addition permit.
A deck needs a permit unless its surface is less than 600 mm above grade, it is not attached to a building, and it has no walls or roof (Building Bylaw s. 4.3(e)). Decks 600 mm or higher, or attached to a building, need one.
Steps
- Check the zoning limits below for your lot.
- Email building@campbellriver.ca if you are unsure whether you need a permit.
- Complete the Building Permit Application Form and the documents the City lists. See the building-permit answer for how to apply.
Good to know
- Under Zoning Bylaw s. 4.12, on urban lots all ancillary buildings together may be up to 80 m² and 5.0 m high, not in the front yard or a side yard next to a road, and at least 0.75 m from side and rear lot lines.
- On rural and lakeshore lots the combined limit is 160 m² and 6.0 m high, and buildings cannot be in any required yard.
- Larger buildings need a Development Variance Permit.
- Open decks up to 0.6 m above ground are exempt from side and rear yard setbacks.
What you'll need
- Completed Building Permit Application Form
- Garage Plan Requirements (City PDF), if building a garage
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox · Powell River · Sayward · Gold River
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits and Inspections, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Residential Building Permit Information, January 2017 (PDF) (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.