Cranbrook permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

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

How it works

In Cranbrook, the City's guide says a new building or structure over 10 m² needs a building permit, including pre-built sheds. The Building Bylaw 3725 exempts anything exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, and seasonal tarp or poly-covered structures. The bylaw itself gives no size limit.

Steps

1. Shed, garage, carport or other structure: apply for a building permit if it is over 10 m². A new garage or carport needs one (the fee schedule charges a $1,000 damage deposit for either), and so does enclosing a carport, deck or porch.
2. Deck: no permit if it has no roof and is no more than 0.6 m above ground; otherwise you need one.
3. Check your zoning before you build. Zoning rules apply even when no permit is needed.
4. Apply as described in building-permit, and pay the deposit for a carport or garage.

Good to know

• In the R-1 zone, an accessory building cannot be in the front yard. It must be at least 1.5 m from interior side and rear lines (0.9 m from the rear line if there is no developed rear lane), 4.5 m from an exterior side line and 1.5 m from the house. It may be no taller than 4.5 m, and all buildings and structures may cover at most 50% of the parcel.
• In the RT zone, accessory buildings need 7.5 m front and side yards, 9.0 m at the rear, 4.5 m height, 30% parcel coverage, and no more than 185.0 m² of total accessory area. Other zones differ.
• Zoning Bylaw s. 4.07 also bars building over an easement.
• The Building Bylaw says nothing separate about an open carport; ask Building Services.
• Starting before the permit is issued doubles the permit fee.