GovHandbook

Comox permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Comox, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Comox a shed or other accessory building needs a building permit, even one under 10 m² ($50 permit fee plus $50 application fee). Decks, garages and carports fall under the general rule that a permit is needed to build a structure. The bylaw sets no deck height threshold.

Key facts

ShedsA building permit is needed to build an accessory building such as a shed. Even a small accessory building under 10 m² (which the BC Building Code exempts) still needs a permit application in Comox: a form, site plan and elevation sketch, with a $50 permit fee and $50 application fee. The only permit exemption stated is for a chicken coop of 5 m² or less.Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), s. 5(2), s. 21(1)-(2); Schedule 1; Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Schedule 1, A.1-A.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
An application for a building permit with respect to an accessory building less
a building permit shall not be required for a chicken coop 5 square metres or less in building area
except to the extent that the bylaw requires a permit for, or
(a) permit fee for accessory buildings <10 m2 $50.00
DecksThe Town lists decks among the projects it issues building permits for. The Building Bylaw requires a permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, and states no height or size threshold for decks.Building, Building page; Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), s. 8(2)(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Permits are issued for a wide range of projects, including, but not limited to, sign permits, decks, pools, and single-family dwellings
a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;
Garages and carportsNo separate rule for garages or carports was found. The general rule applies: a building permit is needed before constructing a building or structure. Zoning sets larger front setbacks for a garage or carport (6.0 m in the R-SSMU zone).Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), s. 8(2)(a); Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Table 9.5(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;
Table 9.5(2) Development Regulations for Buildings and Structures – Accessory
(i) garage / carport 6.0 m
Zoning limitsIn the low-density residential zones (R-SSMU, R-WF, R-CL, R-LL): accessory buildings may total at most 60 m² of floor area per lot and be at most 4.5 m high. Minimum side and rear setbacks are 1.2 m (0 m for an accessory building under 10 m² in R-SSMU). Front setback is 3.0 m (6.0 m for a garage or carport) in R-SSMU and 7.5 m in the other three zones. Maximum lot coverage is 50% (R-SSMU), 35% (R-WF), 40% (R-CL) and 30% (R-LL). An accessory building needs a principal use on the lot, except one accessory building up to 10 m² is allowed without one.Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 6.1; Tables 9.4(1), 9.5(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(a) Maximum Height 4.5 m 4.5 m 4.5 m 4.5 m
(e) Maximum GFA for Accessory 60.0 m2 60.0 m2 60.0 m2 60.0 m2 Buildings 3
(a) Maximum Lot Coverage 50% 35% 40% 30%
The minimum setback is 0.0 metres for an accessory building having less than 10.0 square metres of
provided the gross floor area of the accessory building does not exceed 10.0 square metres
BylawBuilding Bylaw No. 1472 and Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (s. 6.1 Accessory Buildings and Structures; s. 9.4 and 9.5 low-density residential zones).Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Title; Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
CONSOLIDATED BYLAW NO. 1472
6.1 Accessory Buildings and Structures

How it works

The Town of Comox Building Bylaw No. 1472 requires a permit before you construct a building or structure. The Town lists decks among the projects it issues building permits for, and the bylaw states no height or size threshold for decks. No separate rule for garages or carports was found, so the general rule applies.

A shed or other accessory building needs a permit too. Even a small one under 10 m² (which the BC Building Code exempts) needs a permit application in Comox: a form, a site plan and an elevation sketch, with a $50 permit fee and a $50 application fee. The only permit exemption stated is a chicken coop of 5 m² or less.

Steps

  1. Check zoning limits for your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Apply through the Citywide portal, or at Town Hall, with a site plan and drawings (see the building-permit answer).
  3. Pay the fees (see the building-permit-fees answer) and wait for the permit before you build.

Good to know

  • In the low-density residential zones (R-SSMU, R-WF, R-CL, R-LL), the Zoning Bylaw allows accessory buildings of at most 60 m² total floor area per lot and 4.5 m high. Side and rear setbacks are at least 1.2 m (0 m for an accessory building under 10 m² in R-SSMU).
  • Front setback for accessory buildings is 3.0 m in R-SSMU (6.0 m for a garage or carport) and 7.5 m in the other three zones.
  • Maximum lot coverage is 50% in R-SSMU, 35% in R-WF, 40% in R-CL and 30% in R-LL.
  • An accessory building needs a principal use on the lot, except one accessory building up to 10 m².
  • Zoning allows decks, patios and stairs less than 0.6 m above grade to project up to 1.5 m into a required setback in some zones. That is a setback rule, not a permit threshold.
  • Other zones have different standards. An unlawful accessory building bylaw notice is $200 within 14 days and $250 after.
  • Building Department: 250-339-2250 or 250-339-2259 (two pages give different numbers).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

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

Sources

  1. Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Building, Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Departmental Directory, Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Get a Building Permit, Town of Comox (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.