Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In Coquitlam, decks and accessory buildings such as garages and carports generally need a building permit. The one listed exemption is a storage or garden shed of 10 m² or less that meets the Building Code and all bylaws, including Zoning Bylaw setbacks. Call Building Permits at 604-927-3441 if unsure.
Key facts
| Sheds | No building permit for a storage or garden shed of 10 m² or less that meets the Building Code and bylaw construction standards and complies with all City bylaws, including Zoning Bylaw siting (setbacks). Larger sheds and other accessory buildings are covered by the general permit requirement.Sources differ: Bylaw says 'does not exceed 10 m2'; the web page says 'under 10 square meters'. Bylaw followed.Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF, consolidated September 2026), s. 21.1-21.2; Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, Did You Know · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA building permit is not required for work in respect of a building intended or actually used for a storage or garden shed and is in compliance with all applicable bylaws of the City Building permits are not required for storage or garden shed structures under 10 square meters in area, however they must comply with the setbacks stipulated in the Zoning Bylaw. |
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| Decks | The City says a building permit is generally required for decks, balconies and awnings.Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, Do I Need a Permit?; Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF, consolidated September 2026), s. 21.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDecks, balconies, awnings, retaining walls over 1.2 m. a building permit is required for any work that relates to a building or temporary building |
| Garages and carports | Accessory buildings generally need a building permit. The Building Bylaw requires a permit for any work on a building; its only listed exemption is a storage or garden shed of 10 m² or less.Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, Do I Need a Permit?; Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF, consolidated September 2026), s. 21.1-21.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessory buildings, additions, new living space, secondary suites, coach houses. a building permit is required for any work that relates to a building or temporary building |
| Zoning limits | In R-1 to R-4: detached accessory buildings not in the front yard (R-4: rear yard only); 3.0 m from the house (R-1 to R-3); height 3.7 m, or 4.6 m with a 4:12 or steeper roof. Sited 1.6 m+ from the house: 1.2 m rear and interior side, 3.0 m exterior side, front 5.5 m (R-4 4.5 m). Lot coverage 50% (R-3 45%).Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 10 Low Density Residential Zones, s. 1002(8)-(10) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingstructures where sited 5.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 3.0 a minimum separation distance of 3.0 metres from principal buildings. Detached accessory uses, buildings and structures must not be located in the front yard. (i) 3.7 metres; or All buildings and structures together must not exceed a lot coverage of 50%, excluding All detached accessory residential and detached accessory off-street parking buildings and structures must be located in the rear yard. All buildings and structures together must not exceed a lot coverage of 45%, excluding Accessory buildings and structures must not exceed a height, measured from finished grade, of: |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 3598, 2003 (s. 21) and Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996 (Part 10 residential zones)Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF, consolidated September 2026), title page; Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2, s. 101 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 3598, 2003 City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996 |
How it works
The City of Coquitlam's Building Bylaw 3598 requires a permit for any work on a building. Its only listed exemption is a storage or garden shed of 10 m² or less that meets the Building Code and bylaw construction standards and complies with all City bylaws, including Zoning Bylaw siting. The City says decks, balconies and awnings generally need a permit. The bylaw and City pages do not name garages or carports, so treat them as accessory buildings that need one. No height or size below which a deck needs no permit was found.
Steps
- Look up your zone on QtheMap and check setbacks, lot coverage and height.
- Prepare the application form, checklist and drawings.
- Submit through Coquitlam QFile or at the City Hall counter.
- Book inspections once the permit is issued.
Good to know
- Zoning in R-1 to R-4: detached accessory buildings stay out of the front yard (R-4: rear yard only) and 3.0 m from the house (R-1 to R-3). Height is 3.7 m, or 4.6 m with a 4:12 or steeper roof.
- Sited 1.6 m or more from the house: 1.2 m from the rear and interior side lot lines, 3.0 m on an exterior side, and 5.5 m at the front (R-4: 4.5 m). Lot coverage is 50% (R-3: 45%).
- In R-1, detached parking buildings are limited to 3 parking spaces and a wall length of 10.3 m.
- Other zones have their own rules. These zoning figures come from web copies marked "for information only"; confirm your zone with Planning.
- The City's page says "under 10 square meters" for the shed exemption; the bylaw says 10 m² or less. The bylaw is followed here.
What you'll need
- Permit Application Form and the checklist for your project
- Drawings per the City's detached building or outdoor deck drawing requirements
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · New Westminster · Burnaby
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF, consolidated September 2026), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 10 Low Density Residential Zones (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Building & Construction, City of Coquitlam (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.