Colwood permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Colwood, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Colwood a new deck, or structural changes to one, needs a City building permit, and so does a garage in most cases. The City says a shed under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard needs no permit, but confirm that with the Building Department. Zoning setbacks still apply.

Key facts

Sheds	The City says a permit is needed in most cases for a shed or other accessory building, but not for one under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard. Building Bylaw 977 s. 2.1.4 itself requires a permit for any new structure, so check with the Building Department. Setbacks and lot coverage still apply.Renovations and Additions, Accessory Buildings; Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 2.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording In most cases, the owner is required to obtain a building permit prior to the construction of an accessory building, such as a shed or garage. you are constructing an accessory building of less than 10m2 (108 ft2) in area and it does not create a hazard, a building permit is not required You must still ensure full compliance with Colwood's Land Use bylaw, such as setbacks to property line and lot coverage regulations. No person shall construct a new building or structure, or alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair
Decks	A building permit is required for a new deck or for structural alterations to an existing one. Wood decks are structures and must meet the BC Building Code and the Land Use Bylaw. Concrete patios on grade do not need a permit.Renovations and Additions, Decks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A building permit is required for a new deck or for structural alterations to an existing one. Wood decks are considered structures and therefore must comply with the current BC Building Code and Colwood's Land Use Bylaw. Concrete patios installed on grade do not require a permit.
Garages and carports	A garage is an accessory building, and in most cases a building permit is needed before building one.Renovations and Additions, Accessory Buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording In most cases, the owner is required to obtain a building permit prior to the construction of an accessory building, such as a shed or garage.
Zoning limits	Residential zones: accessory buildings total at most 60 m², at most 4 m high, at least 1 m from side and rear lot lines and from the house, and not within 15 m of the front lot line unless the front-yard setback is met. Corner lots have extra setbacks.Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026), s. 2.1.06 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The total combined floor area of accessory buildings on any lot shall not exceed 60 m2 No accessory building shall be located less than 15 m from a front lot line unless it complies with the front yard requirements applicable to the principal building No accessory building shall be located less than 1m from any principal building An accessory building in a Residential or Multiple Family Residential Zone shall not exceed 4 m in height No accessory building shall be located less than 1m from a side or rear lot line
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008; Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989 (s. 2.1.06)Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Whole bylaw; Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026), s. 2.1.06 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008 Colwood Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989

How it works

Deck. A building permit is required for a new deck or for structural alterations to an existing one. Wood decks are structures and must meet the BC Building Code and the Land Use Bylaw. Concrete patios on grade do not need a permit. The pages we read state no deck height threshold.

Shed or other accessory building. The City says a permit is needed in most cases, but not for one under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard. That exemption is on a City web page only. Building Bylaw 977 (s. 2.1.4) itself requires a permit for any new structure, so check with the Building Department.

Garage. A garage is an accessory building, and in most cases a building permit is needed before you build one.

Carport. The City's pages do not discuss carports separately and no statement says whether one needs a permit. Ask the Building Department.

Steps

Confirm your plans with the Building Department (building@colwood.ca or 250-478-5999).
Prepare a site plan and a BC Land Survey. Decks and sheds both need them.
Submit the online Building Permit Application and pay the fees.
Book inspections during construction by emailing building@colwood.ca.

Good to know

Even without a permit, setbacks and lot coverage still apply. In residential zones, Land Use Bylaw 151 says:

Accessory buildings total at most 60 m² and at most 4 m high.
They must be at least 1 m from side and rear lot lines and from the house.
They may not be within 15 m of the front lot line unless the front-yard setback is met.
Corner lots have extra setbacks. Each zone also sets lot coverage, and zone rules may differ.

An accessory building that contains a dwelling unit has different setbacks and heights.

What you'll need

Site plan showing all existing and proposed structures, sizes and distances to property lines
BC Land Survey

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Renovations and Additions, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Building Permits, City of Colwood (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. How answers are checked.