Clearwater permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
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.
Key facts
| Sheds | 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.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.Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021), s. 1.5(b); Building Permits and Inspections, District page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingsingle-storey accessory buildings less than 20 m² (215 ft²) in building area; 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; |
|---|---|
| Decks | 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.Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021), s. 1.5(d); Building Permits and Inspections, District page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingunroofed 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. construct a sundeck; enclose a porch or roof over a sundeck; |
| Garages and carports | 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.Building Permits and Inspections, District page; Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 5.5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingconstruct a new accessory building such as a garage or storage shed greater than 20 square metres (215 square feet) in size; considered a part of the principal building and must comply in all respects with the setback |
| Zoning limits | 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 8.1.3, 8.1.5; Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 8.2.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga) 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 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 |
| Bylaw | District of Clearwater Building Regulations Bylaw 129, 2014; Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021), s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Clearwater Building Regulations Bylaw 129, 2014 ZONING BYLAW NO. 133, 2016 |
How it works
The District's Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129 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.
For 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.
Carports 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).
Steps
- Check your zone and setbacks in the Zoning Bylaw No. 133.
- If a permit is needed, apply through the TNRD (see the building-permit answer).
- For a carport or a deck close to the exemption, ask TNRD Building Inspection at 250-377-8673.
Good to know
- 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.
- The bylaw exemption covers single-storey buildings only.
- No accessory building may be used as a dwelling unless the zoning bylaw allows it.
- 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%.
- R-2 zone: one accessory building up to 65 m², 5 m high, in the rear yard, with total coverage up to 45%.
- RL-1, SH-1 and CR-1 zones: no maximum height or lot coverage for accessory buildings, and the same setbacks as R-1.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Barriere · Sun Peaks · Chase · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Sicamous
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Regulations Bylaw No. 129, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to May 4, 2021) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Permits and Inspections, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Planning Department, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
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.