Highlands permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Highlands?
In the District of Highlands a building or structure of 10 m² or less in building area does not need a building permit, and a larger one does. The bylaw has no separate rule for decks, garages or carports. Zoning limits apply either way.
Key facts
| Sheds | A building or structure of 10 m² or less in building area does not need a building permit. A larger shed or accessory building does (a permit is needed before constructing a building or structure).Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 3.1.2(a) and 3.1.3(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure; if a building or structure does not exceed 10 square meters in building area. |
|---|---|
| Decks | None set. The District's Building Regulation Bylaw has no separate rule for decks.Read: Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 |
| Garages and carports | No separate rule. The general rules apply: a permit is needed to build a building or structure, unless it is 10 m² or less in building area. Garages and carports are valued for the permit fee in Appendix L.Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 3.1.2(a) and 3.1.3(c); Construction Values, Appendix L · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure; if a building or structure does not exceed 10 square meters in building area. Garages and or Workshops Carports, Barns or Sheds |
| Zoning limits | Varies by zone. Example, RR1: accessory building height up to 6 m; 7.5 m from the front lot line (and from a side lot line on a road), 3 m from other side lot lines, 10 m from the rear; total accessory floor area up to 325 m², no single building over 200 m².Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, s. 6.1.3 (RR1) and s. 3.4(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe height of an accessory building or structure shall not exceed 6 metres. No building or structure shall be sited within 7.5 metres of a front lot line. No building or structure shall be sited within 3 metres of a side lot line. No building or structure shall be sited within 10 metres of a rear lot line. total floor area of all accessory buildings on a lot shall not exceed 325 square metres and no No accessory building or structure shall be sited, placed or constructed on a lot unless: No building or structure shall be sited within 7.5 metres of a side lot line that abuts a highway. |
| Bylaw | Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (permits); Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998 (zoning limits)Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, Part 1; Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBuilding Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998 (consolidated) |
How it works
Under the District's Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, a permit is needed before constructing a building or structure, except one of 10 m² or less in building area. That means a shed or other accessory building of 10 m² or less does not need a building permit, and a larger one does.
The bylaw has no separate rule for decks, garages or carports, so the same 10 m² rule applies to them. Garages and carports are valued for the permit fee in Appendix L of the bylaw.
Zoning rules apply whether or not you need a permit. They vary by zone. For example, in the RR1 zone an accessory building may be up to 6 m high, 7.5 m from the front lot line (and from a side lot line on a road), 3 m from other side lot lines and 10 m from the rear. Total accessory floor area is up to 325 m², with no single building over 200 m². Other zones have their own numbers.
Steps
- Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and read its accessory building rules in the Zoning Bylaw.
- Measure the building area of your project. If it is over 10 m², apply for a building permit (see the building-permit answer).
- If you are unsure, call or email the Building Official.
Good to know
- Buildings and structures must also stay 30 m from the sea, lakes, ponds, wetlands and watercourses.
- Appendix L lists sundecks as a construction-value rate only, not a permit threshold.
- A building bigger than 10 m² needs a permit even if it meets zoning.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Langford · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood · Esquimalt · Saanich
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Construction Values (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.