{"title":"Golden permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/golden","name":"Golden","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca"},"short_answer":"In Golden a deck more than 2 ft above grade needs a Town building permit, and so does a new garage or carport. A shed or other building of 10 m² or less does not, but it must still meet zoning setbacks.","aliases":["deck permit golden bc","shed permit golden","garage permit golden","carport permit golden"],"cost":"See the building-permit-fees answer. No separate fee is stated for exempt buildings.","how_long":"The Town does not state a processing time. Ask the Building Official.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Building Official","value":"building@golden.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Official / Development Services","value":"250-344-2271 ext. 231"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"810 9th Ave. South, Golden, BC"}],"documents":["Building permit application form and the simplified checklist for additions, garages and sheds"],"forms":[{"title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits"},{"title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Golden building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Golden building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Golden zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Golden fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/revelstoke","name":"Revelstoke","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/radium-hot-springs","name":"Radium Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nakusp","name":"Nakusp","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-denver","name":"New Denver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A shed or other accessory building of 10 m² or less (Town web page; the guideline PDF says under 10 m²) does not need a building permit; check setbacks. Larger ones need a permit; the simplified checklist covers a new garage, shed or accessory building.","short":"No if 10 m² or less","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DON'T need a permit","quotes":["Constructing an accessory building less than or equal to 10m2. Check setbacks!","Checklist for Part 9 Buildings (e.g. Additions or Changes in Occupancy or New Garage/Shed/Accessory Building)."]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["decks, porches, garages,","carports, workshops, sheds, greenhouses, swimming pools, wood burning appliances, retaining"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A deck more than 2 ft above grade needs a building permit, and so does adding a roof to a deck.","short":"Yes, if more than 2 ft above grade","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DO need a permit","quotes":["Building a deck over 2ft above grade","Installing solar panels or adding a roof to an entry or deck"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"A new garage or carport needs a building permit (the guideline lists both), unless the building is under 10 m². Enclosing a carport or changing a garage to living space also needs one.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DO need a permit","quotes":["Enclosing your carport or changing your garage to a living space","Checklist for Part 9 Buildings (e.g. Additions or Changes in Occupancy or New Garage/Shed/Accessory Building)."]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["decks, porches, garages,","floor area. Although the above work does not require a permit, owners are required to ensure that any","carports, workshops, sheds, greenhouses, swimming pools, wood burning appliances, retaining","occupancy and demolition off all buildings and structures including decks, porches, garages,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"Accessory buildings in residential zones: not in the front or exterior-side yard; total floor area at most the lesser of 65 m² or 50% of the main building; no taller than the main building; no more than two. R1S: 6.0 m high, 1.5 m from rear and interior lot lines, 3.0 m from exterior lot line; lot coverage 40%.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.2","quotes":["not be located within a Front Yard Area, or Exterior-Side Yard Area;","exceeding the lesser of 65 mz or 50o/o of the Ground Floor Area of the","not exceed the Builrling Height of the Principal Building; and","not exceed two per Principat Building.","Accessory Buildings and Structures                6.0 m","Maximum Lot Coverage                                 40%","Exterior Lot Line      3.0 m"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"Schedule C (R1S)","quotes":["Accessory Buildings and Structures 6.0 m","Rear Lot Line 1.5 m"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012; Town of Golden Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (s. 6.2)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299,2012"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.2","quotes":["6.2 Accessory Buildings and Structures"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nBuilding permits come from the Town under [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299](<https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/>). Zoning rules in [Bylaw No. 1294](<https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf>) apply on top of the permit rules.\n\n- **Deck:** a deck more than 2 ft above grade needs a building permit, and so does adding a roof to a deck. Neither Town page says what applies to a deck at or under 2 ft.\n- **Shed or other accessory building:** 10 m² or less does not need a building permit (the guideline says \"under 10 m²\"). Check setbacks. Larger ones need a permit.\n- **Garage or carport:** a new one needs a permit unless the building is under 10 m². Enclosing a carport or changing a garage to living space also needs one.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Work out the floor area and height of what you plan to build.\n2. Check the zoning limits below, or ask Development Services.\n3. If a permit is needed, use the simplified checklist for a new garage, shed or accessory building and email the application to building@golden.ca.\n4. Pay the fee and arrange inspections (see the building-permit answer).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning limits for accessory buildings in residential zones: not in the front or exterior-side yard; total floor area at most the lesser of 65 m² or 50% of the main building; no taller than the main building; no more than two.\n- In R1S: 6.0 m high, 1.5 m from rear and interior lot lines, 3.0 m from the exterior lot line, and 40% lot coverage. Other zones differ.\n- The wildfire development permit area exempts sheds under 10 m² only if they are at least 10 m from the dwelling.\n- The posted zoning bylaw is the original 2011 text with no amendments merged, so check with Development Services.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}