---
title: Kamloops permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kamloops
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kamloops
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Kamloops permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Kamloops a garage or an accessory building of 10 square metres or more, or with electrical or plumbing, needs a building permit. A deck needs none only if it is under 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. All of these must meet zoning siting rules.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kamloops, https://www.kamloops.ca)  
**Cost:** $175 non-refundable application fee for an accessory building over 10 square metres, plus a permit fee based on construction value ($20 per $1,000 up to $10,000, then $200 plus $7 per $1,000 above that).  
**Where:**
- Online: Homeowner Accessory Building Permit (ePermit), https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit/building-permits-homeowners/homeowner-accessory
- Phone: Building Section, 250-828-3554
- Email: Building Section, building@kamloops.ca
- Phone: Planning (zoning), 250-828-3561

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** No building permit for an accessory building under 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) that has no electrical or plumbing. At 10 m² or more, or with electrical or plumbing, a permit is needed. It must still meet zoning siting rules. (Sources differ: The bylaw says 'less than 10 m2' and adds the no-electrical-or-plumbing condition; the FAQ says 'do not exceed 10 m2' and omits that condition. The bylaw is followed here. No permit is issued for an accessory building unless the principal building exists or is built at the same time (FAQ).)
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(b)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 and does not" … "contain electrical or plumbing facilities;"
  - Source: [Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, Residential FAQ: garden sheds](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/frequently-asked-questions)
  - Official wording: "Accessory buildings in residential zones which do not exceed 10 m2 (108 sq. ft.) in building area may be placed or constructed without the need for a building permit." … "You are still required to ensure that the building is sited in accordance with Zoning Bylaw No. 55"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** A deck needs no permit only if it is less than 600 mm above the ground, is not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. The City lists building a deck as a common project that needs a permit.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(h)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/)
  - Official wording: "decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished" … "grade, which are not attached to a Building and have no walls or roofs;"
  - Source: [Apply by ePermit, Homeowners](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit)
  - Official wording: "building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** The City lists adding a garage as a common homeowner project that needs a permit. The bylaw exempts only accessory buildings under 10 m² with no electrical or plumbing.
  - Source: [Apply by ePermit, Homeowners](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit)
  - Official wording: "building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite"
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(b)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 and does not"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Accessory buildings follow the principal building's setbacks unless the zone says otherwise, and stay out of required front, street-side and rear-street yards. Under 10 m² they need no side or rear setback away from streets. R1 example: over 10 m², 1.0 m side and rear setbacks, 5 m high; under 10 m², 3 m high; all accessory buildings together up to 12% of lot area (maximum 112 m²).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 55, ss. 3.1.1, 3.1.4, 3.1.5](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849)
  - Official wording: "shall comply with the Building siting (Setback) requirements of the principal Building except where" … "are not required to be set back from Rear Lot Lines or Side Lot Lines that do not abut a Street" … "shall not be located within a Required Front Yard" … "Accessory Buildings having a floor area of less than 10 m2 are not required to be set" … "Accessory Building >10 m2 1.0 m" … "total combined for Accessory Buildings only 12% of Lot Area to a maximum of 112 m2"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 55, s. 8.1.4 (R1 zone)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849)
  - Official wording: "total combined for Accessory Buildings only 12% of Lot Area to a maximum of 112 m2" … "Accessory Building >10 m2 5m" … "Accessory Building <10 m2 3m"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025; Zoning Bylaw No. 55, 2021
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 1.1](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/)
  - Official wording: "Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 55, s. 1.1.1](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 55, 2021"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the City of Kamloops [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/), only small, simple structures are exempt from a building permit. No permit is issued for an accessory building unless the main building exists or is built at the same time (City FAQ).

## Steps

1. Find your zone and its setbacks in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849), or call Planning at 250-828-3561.
2. Decide whether you are exempt (below). If not, apply through the Homeowner Accessory Building Permit page with a MyCity profile.
3. Upload your documents and pay the fee by Visa or Mastercard (a 2.75% card fee applies).
4. Book inspections once the permit is issued (see the building-permit answer).

## Good to know

- Shed: no permit for an accessory building under 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) with no electrical or plumbing. The City FAQ says buildings that "do not exceed" 10 m² are exempt and leaves out the electrical and plumbing condition. The bylaw is followed here; confirm with the Building Section.
- Deck: no permit only if it is under 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. The City lists building a deck as a common project that needs a permit. Zoning also limits decks more than 61 cm above grade in required front, street-side and rear-street yards.
- Garage or carport: the City lists adding a garage as a project that needs a permit. Carports are not named on the pages read. A garage or carport attached to the main building counts as part of it.
- Zoning: accessory buildings follow the main building's setbacks unless the zone says otherwise, and stay out of required front, street-side and rear-street yards. Under 10 m² they need no side or rear setback away from streets.
- R1 zone example: over 10 m², 1.0 m side and rear setbacks and 5 m high; under 10 m², 3 m high; all accessory buildings together up to 12% of lot area (maximum 112 m²). Other zones differ.
- Accessory buildings must be 1 m apart and may not contain showers, bathtubs, bedrooms or decks, with at most two plumbing fixtures.
- A retaining wall of 1.2 m or higher needs a permit.

## What you'll need

- Title search dated within the last three months, and charges on title
- Site plan showing setbacks
- Truss layout
- Design drawings

## Official forms and pages

- [Homeowner Accessory Building Permit](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit/building-permits-homeowners/homeowner-accessory)
- [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 55 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849)

## Related questions

- [Kamloops building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/building-permit.md)
- [Kamloops building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kamloops zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Kamloops fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/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)
- [Sun Peaks](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sun-peaks/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Chase](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Barriere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/frequently-asked-questions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Apply by ePermit, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Homeowner Accessory Building Permit, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/building-permits/apply-epermit/building-permits-homeowners/homeowner-accessory) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84 (PDF), City of Kamloops](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204248/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 55 (PDF), City of Kamloops](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/138849) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14 (PDF), City of Kamloops](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204231/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Information Request, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/business-development/planning-development/apply-epermit/zoning-information-request) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Kamloops. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/deck-shed-garage-permit/_