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Kamloops permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Kamloops, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

ShedsNo 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).Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(b); Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, Residential FAQ: garden sheds · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 and does not
contain electrical or plumbing facilities;
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
DecksA 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.Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(h); Apply by ePermit, Homeowners · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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;
building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite
Garages and carportsThe 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.Apply by ePermit, Homeowners; Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite
an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 and does not
Zoning limitsAccessory 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).Zoning Bylaw No. 55, ss. 3.1.1, 3.1.4, 3.1.5; Zoning Bylaw No. 55, s. 8.1.4 (R1 zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
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
BylawBuilding Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025; Zoning Bylaw No. 55, 2021Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 55, s. 1.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025
Zoning Bylaw No. 55, 2021

How it works

Under the City of Kamloops Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, 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, 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

The same question in other places

Sun Peaks · Chase · Barriere · Logan Lake · Ashcroft · Cache Creek

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Apply by ePermit, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Homeowner Accessory Building Permit, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw No. 55 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Zoning Information Request, City of Kamloops (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. How answers are checked.