Coldstream permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Coldstream?
Short answer
In Coldstream a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² needs no building permit if it creates no hazard and meets zoning. At 10 m² or more you need one. A deck needs a permit only if its surface is 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point. Garages and carports need a permit.
Key facts
| Sheds | A shed or other accessory building under 10 m² needs no building permit if it creates no hazard and is sited as the Zoning Bylaw requires. At 10 m² or more, a building permit is needed.Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaccessory buildings less than 10 m2 in building area that do not create a hazard, on the condition that the building is sited in accordance with the District’s current Zoning Bylaw; |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck addition needs no building permit unless the deck surface is 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point; it must still meet zoning siting rules.Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdeck additions, except a deck where the difference in elevation between the deck surface and the ground surface at any point is 0.6 m or more and on the condition that the deck is sited in accordance with the District’s current Zoning Bylaw; |
| Garages and carports | The Building Bylaw has no exemption for garages or carports as such. They are accessory buildings, so a building permit is needed unless the building is under 10 m². The District's FAQ lists attached garage, detached garage and detached garage shop as permit types.Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3; Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), FAQ, Proposed Uses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaccessory buildings less than 10 m2 in building area that do not create a hazard Detached Garage Shop, Attached Garage, Detached Garage |
| Zoning limits | Set by zone. In R1: accessory buildings up to 4.5 m high, 1.5 m from the rear lot line, up to 112 m² floor area, 50% lot coverage for all buildings. In R2: same height and rear setback, up to 125 m², 35% coverage. Other zones differ.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 501.4, 502.4 (R1, R2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessory Buildings and Structures – 1.5 m Accessory Building or Structure – 4.5 m 50% for all Buildings and Structures Accessory Building (a) 112 m2 (*2) 35% for all Buildings and Structures (a) 125 m2 (*2) |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021 (s. 4.3); Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3; Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1758, 2021 Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 |
How it works
Under the Building Bylaw No. 1758 (s. 4.3):
- Shed or other accessory building: no building permit if it is under 10 m², creates no hazard and is sited as the Zoning Bylaw requires. At 10 m² or more, a building permit is needed.
- Deck: a deck addition needs no building permit unless the deck surface is 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point. It must still meet zoning siting rules.
- Garage or carport: the bylaw has no exemption for garages or carports as such. They are accessory buildings, so a permit is needed unless the building is under 10 m². The District's FAQ lists attached garage, detached garage and detached garage shop as permit types; carports are not named. For garages and carports the application may omit the foundation and excavation design.
Zoning approval or a development permit may still be needed.
Steps
- Find your zone and check the zoning limits (below).
- Call the Building Department on 250-550-1510 to confirm whether your project needs a permit.
- If it does, follow the building-permit steps and pay the fees.
Good to know
- Zoning limits are set by zone, so check your own zone. In R1, accessory buildings may be up to 4.5 m high and 1.5 m from the rear lot line, with up to 112 m² floor area and 50% lot coverage for all buildings. In R2, the height and rear setback are the same, with up to 125 m² and 35% coverage. Other zones, including agricultural and rural zones, differ.
- In R1 and R2 other setbacks also apply: front 6 m, interior 1.5 m and exterior 4 m.
- Exempt structures must still meet zoning.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vernon · Lumby · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Kelowna
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact Directory, District of Coldstream (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.