---
title: Castlegar permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/castlegar
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Castlegar
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Castlegar permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Castlegar any deck needs a building permit. A shed, garage or carport needs one if it is over 10 m². An accessory building under 3 m high and under 10 m² is outside the Building Bylaw, but it must still meet zoning setbacks. The City web page says 9.5 m², so confirm.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Castlegar, https://www.castlegar.ca)  
**Cost:** $100 for the first $5,000 of construction value plus $8 for each $1,000 or part over that (Building Bylaw 1338). See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The City says complete applications are typically processed in 4 to 6 weeks.  
**Where:**
- Email: Development Services, devserv@castlegar.ca
- Phone: Development Services, 250-365-8964

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** A building permit is needed for an accessory building (shed) over 10 m² (s. 8.1(a)). One under 3 m high and under 10 m² is outside the Building Bylaw (s. 4.3(a)). Taller sheds of 10 m² or less are not clearly addressed; ask Development Services. All must meet zoning setbacks. The City web page says 9.5 m². (Sources differ: The City web page says garden sheds up to 9.5 m² need no permit (and accessory buildings larger than 9.5 m² do). The bylaw says 10 m². Value follows the bylaw. Section 4.3(a) says under 3 m high and under 10 m²; an accessory building of exactly 10 m² or exactly 3 m high is not clearly covered either way.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1338 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3(a), s. 8.1(a)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building less than 3 metres in height and with a floor area of less than" … "constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, if it exceeds ten (10) square"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** Yes. The bylaw requires a building permit for construction of a deck, with no height or size threshold.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1338 (consolidated, PDF), s. 8.1(c)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "construction of a deck;"
  - Source: [Apply for a Building Permit, When do I need a building permit?](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/construction-permits/apply-for-a-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "Building or altering a deck or sundeck"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** A garage or carport over 10 m² floor area needs a building permit; one under 3 m high and under 10 m² does not. The City page lists a garage as an accessory building needing a permit above 9.5 m². (Sources differ: Web page threshold 9.5 m² versus bylaw 10 m²; the bylaw is followed. Carports are not mentioned by name in the Building Bylaw or the City page.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1338 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3(a), s. 8.1(a)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building less than 3 metres in height and with a floor area of less than" … "constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, if it exceeds ten (10) square"
  - Source: [Apply for a Building Permit, When do I need a building permit?](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/construction-permits/apply-for-a-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "Constructing an accessory building (like a garage or shed) larger than 9.5 m² (102 ft²)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** In R1, R2 and R3 zones an accessory building must be at least 6.0 m from the front lot line, 3.0 m from an exterior side line, 1.5 m from interior side and rear lines; at most 7.5 m high (or 0.5 m lower than the house, whichever is less); and no more than 80% of the principal dwelling in size. No accessory building before the principal building.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1428 (consolidated, PDF), s. 7.1.5 to 7.1.7 (R1)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Front Setback to Lot Line 4.5 m 6.0 m" … "Rear Setback to Lot Line 6.0 m 1.5 m" … "Maximum Height 11.0 m 7.5 m or 0.5m less than" … "No more than 80% of"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1428 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Accessory Building or Structure shall be erected on any Lot unless the Principal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 1338, 2020 (s. 4.3, 8.1) and Zoning Bylaw No. 1428 (s. 4.1, Part 7)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1338 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1.1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as ‘Building Bylaw No. 1338, 2020’."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1428 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1.1.1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1428”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Building Bylaw 1338](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf), the City of Castlegar requires a building permit for any deck, with no height or size threshold. An accessory building such as a shed, garage or carport needs a permit if it is over 10 m². One that is under 3 m high and under 10 m² is outside the bylaw. Carports are not named in the bylaw or the City page.

Every accessory building must still meet the setbacks in [Zoning Bylaw 1428](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf), whether or not it needs a permit.

## Steps

1. Measure the floor area and height. A deck, or an accessory building over 10 m², needs a permit.
2. Draw a site plan showing the structure and its distance to every lot line and to the house.
3. Email the application and plans to devserv@castlegar.ca or apply in person at City Hall.
4. Fees are calculated after review. Book inspections as the work goes on.

## Good to know

- Zoning setbacks and limits for an accessory building in R1, R2 and R3 zones: at least 6.0 m from the front lot line, 3.0 m from an exterior side line and 1.5 m from interior side and rear lines. It can be at most 7.5 m high (or 0.5 m lower than the house, whichever is less) and no more than 80% of the size of the main dwelling. Other zones differ, so look up your zone.
- An accessory building cannot be built before the principal building. It may not contain a dwelling unit unless it conforms to the Zoning Bylaw (see secondary-suite).
- The City web page says sheds up to 9.5 m² need no permit; the bylaw says 10 m². A taller shed of 10 m² or less is not clearly addressed, so ask Development Services.
- A setback violation can bring a municipal ticket of $200 for a first offence and $400 for a second (Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179).

## What you'll need

- Site plan showing the building and its distances from lot lines

## Official forms and pages

- [Apply for a Building Permit](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/construction-permits/apply-for-a-building-permit/)
- [Building Permit Guide (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Building-Permit-Guide-NEW.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw 1338 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1428 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Castlegar building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit.md)
- [Castlegar building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Castlegar fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/fence-rules.md)
- [Castlegar secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Apply for a Building Permit, City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/construction-permits/apply-for-a-building-permit/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits for Construction (guide, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Building-Permit-Guide-NEW.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 1338 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1338-Consolidated-Building.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1428 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1428-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Castlegar. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/deck-shed-garage-permit/_