---
title: Fort St James permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Fort St James?"
place: Fort St James, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/fort-st-james
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Fort St James
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Fort St James permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

**Question:** Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Fort St James?

**Short answer:** In Fort St James a shed or detached garage over 10 m² needs a building permit; a storage-only building of 10 m² or less does not. A deck needs one unless it stays within 600 mm of the ground, though the District's web page says a new deck needs a permit. Zoning setbacks apply to all of them.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Fort St James, https://www.fortstjames.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fee is 0.6% of construction value, $50 minimum. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: District Office, 477 Stuart Drive West, P.O. Box 640, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0
- Phone: District Office, 250-996-8233
- Email: District Office, district@fortstjames.ca
- Phone: Building Inspector, 1-800-320-3339

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** A building permit is needed for a new accessory building (detached garage, shed) larger than 10 m². The Building Bylaw does not apply to a storage-only building of 10 m² or less (108 sq ft) that is not connected to another building.
  - Source: [Development and Permitting, Projects that require a building permit](https://www.fortstjames.ca/services/development-permitting)
  - Official wording: "Construction of a new accessory building (detached garage, shed, etc.) greater than 10 square metres."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF, office consolidation November 13, 2024), s. 5.4](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to a building that is used only for storage which has a ground floor area" … "that is 10 square metres (108 square feet) or less"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Decks:** Bylaw: no permit for a deck or patio kept within 600 mm (2 ft) of finished grade. District page: a new deck needs a permit, and so does enclosing a porch or putting a roof over a sun deck. (Sources differ: The District page gives no height threshold for 'a new deck'; the bylaw exempts low decks. Bylaw wording is awkward (see building-permit not_needed_for).)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF, office consolidation November 13, 2024), s. 5.6](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to a deck or patio provided no part of the surface of the deck or patio is" … "no more than 600 millimetres (2 feet) from finished grade"
  - Source: [Development and Permitting, Projects that require a building permit](https://www.fortstjames.ca/services/development-permitting)
  - Official wording: "Construction of a new deck." … "The enclosure of a porch or roof over a sun deck."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Garages and carports:** A new detached garage larger than 10 m² needs a building permit, and so does enclosing a carport. The permit fee schedule lists 'garages, carports and patios' under residential work.
  - Source: [Development and Permitting, Projects that require a building permit](https://www.fortstjames.ca/services/development-permitting)
  - Official wording: "Construction of a new accessory building (detached garage, shed, etc.) greater than 10 square metres." … "The enclosure of a carport."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF, office consolidation November 13, 2024), Schedule A (b)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Residential (including dwellings" … "garages, carports and patios)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Zoning limits:** In residential zones, accessory buildings must be at least 1.2 m from side and rear lot lines and 7.5 m from the front lot line, and only on a lot with a finished home. In R1, R2 and R4 they may cover no more than 10% of the lot. R1: height 5 m, at most two accessory buildings.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025, s. 3.1 a](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Placed at least 1.2 metres from any rear or side lot line." … "Placed at least 7.5 metres from any front lot line." … "Of such size that they do not exceed 10% of the lot size in the R1" … "On a lot that has a finished principal building intended for residential use."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025, s. 4.1.3 Table (R1)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Maximum height for an accessory building or structure is 5 metres." … "Maximum of two accessory buildings per lot."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (s. 5 Scope and Exemptions) and Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025 (s. 3.1 Accessory buildings)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF, office consolidation November 13, 2024), s. 5](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5. Scope and Exemptions"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025, s. 3.1](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Division 3 Regulations 3.1 Accessory buildings a. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this bylaw, in all residential zones, accessory" … "ZONING BYLAW No. 1101, 2025" … "DIVISION 1 ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................... 1"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Building Bylaw](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf) does not apply to a storage-only building of 10 m² or less (108 sq ft) that is not connected to another building, or to a deck or patio kept within 600 mm (2 ft) of finished grade. Anything larger needs a building permit from the District of Fort St James.

- **Shed or detached garage:** a permit is needed for a new accessory building larger than 10 m². An accessory building cannot get a permit before the main building exists or is built at the same time.
- **Deck:** the bylaw exempts a deck within 600 mm of the ground. The District's page says a new deck needs a permit, and so does enclosing a porch or putting a roof over a sun deck.
- **Carport:** enclosing a carport needs a permit. The pages read do not say separately whether a new carport does; the bylaw exempts only storage-only buildings of 10 m² or less.

## Steps

1. Check the size and height of what you plan to build against the rules above.
2. Check the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf) rules for your zone, which apply even to a small shed.
3. If a permit is needed, use the Building Permit Application form (see the building-permit answer).

## Good to know

- In residential zones, accessory buildings must be at least 1.2 m from side and rear lot lines and 7.5 m from the front lot line, and only on a lot with a finished home.
- In R1, R2 and R4 they may cover no more than 10% of the lot. In R1 the height limit is 5 m, with at most two accessory buildings.
- Other zones differ: RR1 and RR1A allow 7 m height, and RR1 also caps size (10% or 230 m² on lots from 0.2 to 2 ha). Check the zone table for your lot.
- Because the District page and the bylaw differ on decks, confirm with the District office (250-996-8233) before building one.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf)
- [Building Permit Application (fillable PDF)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Building%20Permit%20Application%20%28fillable%29.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Fort St James building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/building-permit.md)
- [Fort St James building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Fort St James zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Fort St James fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/fence-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Fraser Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Burns Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burns-lake/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Development and Permitting, District of Fort St James](https://www.fortstjames.ca/services/development-permitting) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 932, 2014 (PDF, office consolidation November 13, 2024)](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/932%20Building%20Bylaw%20%5BConsolidated%20Nov%202024%5D.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1101, 2025 (PDF), District of Fort St James](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/1101%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Signed.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Application (fillable PDF), District of Fort St James](https://www.fortstjames.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Building%20Permit%20Application%20%28fillable%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Fort St James. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/deck-shed-garage-permit/_