Central Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In Central Saanich you need a building permit to build or replace a deck, and for a shed or garage larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft). A shed under 10 m², such as 8 x 12 ft or smaller, does not need one, but zoning rules still apply.
Key facts
| Sheds | A building permit is needed for an accessory building (shed, workshop, detached garage) larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft). A small shed such as 10 x 10 or 8 x 12 does not need one. Zoning rules apply to every size.Residential Building Permits, Accessory (or Detached) Buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingis larger than 10 square meters in size (107 square feet), then a building permit is required If you are wanting to building a small shed, such as 10 x 10 or 8 x 12, a building permit is not required. regardless of the size of the building, any accessory building is required to comply with the zoning bylaw regulations |
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| Decks | A building permit is needed to build or replace a deck. None is needed to replace only the decking boards or existing complying guard rails. Any structural replacement, bigger deck area or enclosing a deck needs one.Residential Building Permits, Decks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIf you are planning on replacing or building a new deck, a building permit would be required. A permit is not required if you are only replacing existing decking material or existing complying guard rails. Any structural replacement or alterations, any increase to deck area, or to enclose any existing deck would require a building permit. |
| Garages and carports | A garage is an accessory building: a permit is needed if it is larger than 10 m², and the application uses the Accessory (Non-Residential) permit. Carports are not named on the pages read.Residential Building Permits, ONLINE Permit Applications; Accessory (or Detached) Buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNew or renovated accessory, garage, workshop, shed (not for residential use) is larger than 10 square meters in size (107 square feet), then a building permit is required |
| Zoning limits | Inside the Urban Containment Boundary on residential land, all accessory buildings together may total 10 m² on lots of 300 to 500 m², 35 m² on 500 to 750 m², and 50 m² over 750 m². Small ones (under 10 m² and 3 m high) may sit 1 m to 1.5 m from side and rear lot lines. Bylaw lists 3.5 m maximum height.Sources differ: The District's Accessory Buildings guide (2025, R-C and R-N zones) gives different lot-size bands (under 280 m², up to 500 m², up to 1000 m²) for the total floor area, so the bylaw was followed. Zone setbacks and lot coverage also apply; they differ by zone. Accessory buildings may not have a kitchen, bath or shower or be lived in (guide).Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording10 m² for Lots between 300 m² - 500 m² 35 m² for Lots between 500 m² - 750 m² 50 m² for Lots greater than 750 m² 1 m from a Rear or Side Lot Line with a maximum projection of 0.3 m for eaves. 1.5 m from a Rear or Side Lot Line with a maximum projection of 0.6 m for eaves. The maximum Height of Accessory Buildings is 3.5 m. Inside the Urban Containment Boundary on Residential zoned land: |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026 (s. 4.1) and Building Bylaw No. 2014, 2019Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 4.1; Building Bylaw No. 2014 (PDF, consolidated October 23, 2023), s. 1.0 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCentral Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 2270 Central Saanich Building Bylaw No. 2014, 2019 |
How it works
Permits are issued under the Building Bylaw No. 2014; size and siting limits are in the Zoning Bylaw No. 2270 (s. 4.1).
- Shed, workshop or detached garage: an accessory building larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. A small shed such as 10 x 10 or 8 x 12 does not. Zoning rules apply at every size.
- Garage: it is an accessory building, so a permit is needed above 10 m². Apply under the Accessory (Non-Residential) permit.
- Carport: carports are not named on the District pages we read. Ask the Building Department.
- Deck: a permit is needed to build or replace a deck. It is not needed to replace only the decking boards or existing complying guard rails. Structural replacement, a bigger deck or enclosing a deck needs one. No height threshold is stated.
A plumbing permit is needed for any plumbing.
Steps
- Check your zone and the limits below.
- Apply online for a building permit if your project needs one (see the building-permit answer).
- Book inspections online, with 24 hours' notice.
Good to know
- Inside the Urban Containment Boundary on residential land, all accessory buildings together may total 10 m² on lots of 300 to 500 m², 35 m² on lots of 500 to 750 m², and 50 m² on lots over 750 m². The District's Accessory Buildings guide gives different lot-size bands, so confirm with Planning.
- Small buildings (under 10 m² and 3 m high) may sit 1 m to 1.5 m from side and rear lot lines. The bylaw lists 3.5 m as maximum height. Zone setbacks and lot coverage also apply and differ by zone.
- Per the District's guide, an accessory building may not have a kitchen, bath or shower or be lived in.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · North Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Esquimalt
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Residential Building Permits, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Building and Renovating, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Bylaw No. 2014 (PDF, consolidated October 23, 2023) (read 2026-11-06)
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.