Esquimalt permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

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

How it works

Esquimalt's Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 requires a permit before you construct a building or structure unless the BC Building Code exempts it. Sheds, decks, garages and carports are all covered. The bylaw states no shed size or deck height threshold, and the exemptions sit in the BC Building Code, so a small shed or low deck may or may not need a permit. Call Building Inspection before you build.

Separately, the Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050 limits where and how big accessory buildings can be, permit or not.

In RS-1, the common single-family zone:

• An accessory building may be at most 3.6 m high.
• All accessory buildings and structures together may cover at most 10% of the lot, and all buildings together at most 30%.
• Not in front of the front face of the house.
• At least 1.5 m from side and rear lot lines (3.6 m from an exterior side lot line) and 2.5 m from the house.
• It cannot be built before the principal building.

Steps

1. Find your zone and read its accessory building rules (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Email building@esquimalt.ca or call 250-414-7103 with the type, size and height of what you plan.
3. If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit answer.

Good to know

• Other zones have their own numbers.
• Building an accessory building that breaks the Zoning Bylaw is a bylaw notice of $300 ($250 if paid early, $350 if late).