{"title":"Clearwater 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/clearwater","name":"Clearwater","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":"District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com"},"short_answer":"In Clearwater a single-storey shed or garage under 20 m² needs no building permit, but 20 m² or more does. An unroofed deck 600 mm (24 in) or less above the ground is exempt. Zoning setbacks still apply.","aliases":["shed permit clearwater","deck permit clearwater","garage permit clearwater","carport permit clearwater"],"cost":"See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The processing time is not stated. See the building-permit answer.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"TNRD Building Inspection (contracted by the District)","value":"250-377-8673","note":"Toll free 1-877-377-8673. Email building@tnrd.ca."},{"type":"phone","label":"TNRD Planning (contracted by the District)","value":"250-377-8673","note":"Email planning@tnrd.ca."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (consolidated)","url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (consolidated)","url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/"},{"title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/building-permits-inspections/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Clearwater building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Clearwater building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Clearwater zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Clearwater fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/barriere","name":"Barriere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sun-peaks","name":"Sun Peaks","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sun-peaks/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chase","name":"Chase","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/100-mile-house","name":"100 Mile House","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kamloops","name":"Kamloops","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/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":"Bylaw 129 exempts a single-storey accessory building under 20 m² (215 sq. ft.) from a building permit; 20 m² or more needs one. Any size building used for living (bunkhouse, tiny home) needs one. A shed must still meet zoning setbacks.","short":"No if single storey under 20 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/","title":"Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021)","section":"s. 1.5(b)","quotes":["single-storey accessory buildings less than 20 m² (215 ft²) in building area;"]},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/building-permits-inspections/","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater","section":"District page","quotes":["construct a new accessory building such as a garage or storage shed greater than 20 square metres (215 square feet) in size;","construct any size building which serves a habitable use such as a bunkhouse or tiny home;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the District's page also says a detached accessory building under 10 m² (107 sq ft) and 4.5 m high on a lot with a single family dwelling is exempt, which is smaller than the bylaw's 20 m² exemption. Bylaw followed. The bylaw exemption covers single-storey buildings only."},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"Bylaw 129 does not apply to an unroofed deck at a single or two-family dwelling if the deck surface is 600 mm (24 in) or less above the adjacent ground. The District's page lists building a sundeck, enclosing a porch or roofing a sundeck as needing a permit.","short":"Yes, unless 600 mm or less above ground, unroofed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/","title":"Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021)","section":"s. 1.5(d)","quotes":["unroofed decks attached to or adjacent to single and two-family dwellings if the","deck surface is 600 mm (24 in) or less above the adjacent ground level."]},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/building-permits-inspections/","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater","section":"District page","quotes":["construct a sundeck;","enclose a porch or roof over a sundeck;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"The District's page lists a garage or shed over 20 m² (215 sq. ft.) as needing a building permit; Bylaw 129 exempts only a single-storey accessory building under 20 m². A garage or carport attached to the house is treated as part of the house for zoning (s. 5.5.2). Carports are not mentioned.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/building-permits-inspections/","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater","section":"District page","quotes":["construct a new accessory building such as a garage or storage shed greater than 20 square metres (215 square feet) in size;"]},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025)","section":"s. 5.5.2","quotes":["considered a part of the principal building and must comply in all respects with the setback"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"R-1: accessory buildings total up to 65 m² (200 m² on lots of 4,000 m² or more), 6 m high, setbacks 6 m front, 1.5 m rear and interior side, 4.5 m exterior side, 40% total coverage. R-2: one building up to 65 m², 5 m high, rear yard, 45% coverage. RL-1: no height or coverage maximum.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025)","section":"s. 8.1.3, 8.1.5","quotes":["a) The total gross floor area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed 65 square metres","(2,153 sqft).","Maximum Lot Coverage Total 40%","Rear Lot Line 6 metres (20ft) 1.5 metres (5ft)","Maximum Lot Coverage Total 45%","Maximum Lot Coverage No maximum"]},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025)","section":"s. 8.2.3","quotes":["Only 1 accessory building to a maximum gross floor area of 65 square metres (700 sqft)","*In the R-2 Zone an accessory building must be located in the rear yard"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Clearwater Building Regulations Bylaw 129, 2014; Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/","title":"Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["District of Clearwater Building Regulations Bylaw 129, 2014"]},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025)","section":"cover","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW NO. 133, 2016"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District's [Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129](https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/) does not apply to a single-storey accessory building under 20 m² (215 sq. ft.). A garage or shed of 20 m² or more needs a building permit. Any size building used for living, such as a bunkhouse or tiny home, needs one too.\n\nFor decks, the bylaw does not apply to an unroofed deck at a single or two-family home if the deck surface is 600 mm (24 in) or less above the ground. The District's page lists building a sundeck, enclosing a porch or roofing a sundeck as needing a permit.\n\nCarports are not mentioned in the bylaw or on the District's page. A garage or carport attached to the house is treated as part of the house for zoning (Zoning Bylaw s. 5.5.2).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone and setbacks in the [Zoning Bylaw No. 133](https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/).\n2. If a permit is needed, apply through the TNRD (see the building-permit answer).\n3. For a carport or a deck close to the exemption, ask TNRD Building Inspection at 250-377-8673.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The District's page also says a detached accessory building under 10 m² (107 sq ft) and 4.5 m high is exempt, which is smaller than the bylaw's 20 m². We followed the bylaw. Confirm with the TNRD.\n- The bylaw exemption covers single-storey buildings only.\n- No accessory building may be used as a dwelling unless the zoning bylaw allows it.\n- **R-1 zone:** accessory buildings total up to 65 m² (200 m² on lots of 4,000 m² or more), 6 m high. Setbacks are 6 m front, 1.5 m rear and interior side, and 4.5 m exterior side. Total coverage is up to 40%.\n- **R-2 zone:** one accessory building up to 65 m², 5 m high, in the rear yard, with total coverage up to 45%.\n- **RL-1, SH-1 and CR-1 zones:** no maximum height or lot coverage for accessory buildings, and the same setbacks as R-1.","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/55537/","title":"Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/105297/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/building-permits-inspections/","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/developers/planning-department/","title":"Planning Department, District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/clearwater/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}