---
title: Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Kelowna?"
place: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kelowna
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kelowna
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Kelowna, detached residential sheds, garages and workshops larger than 10 square metres require a building permit. A garage attached to the house is treated as an addition.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kelowna, https://www.kelowna.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: The building department, 250-469-8960

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** In Kelowna, detached residential sheds, garages and workshops larger than 10 square metres require a building permit.
  - Source: [Detached sheds, garages & workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for all residential garages, workshops and sheds over 10m^{2}. This pamphlet covers the requirements for such structures not attached to a house. A garage attached to a residence is classified as an addition to the dwelling unit. This pamphlet is not to be used for accessory buildings containing secondary suites."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Decks:** Not confirmed. Checked Detached sheds, garages & workshops; not found there.
- **Garages and carports:** Detached residential garages over 10 m² need permits. An attached garage counts as an addition.
  - Source: [Detached sheds, garages & workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for all residential garages, workshops and sheds over 10m^{2}. This pamphlet covers the requirements for such structures not attached to a house. A garage attached to a residence is classified as an addition to the dwelling unit. This pamphlet is not to be used for accessory buildings containing secondary suites."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Zoning limits:** Not confirmed. Checked Detached sheds, garages & workshops; not found there.
- **Bylaw:** City of Kelowna Building Bylaw No. 7245. Its detached accessory-building instructions address residential sheds, workshops and garages.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, Building Bylaw and detached sheds, garages and workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/city-hall/city-government/bylaws-policies/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No.: 7245" … "Contact: Building Inspections (24-hour Inspection Line) 250-469-8977. Development Services 250-469-8960 Categories: Building & development This bylaw covers the construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings and structures, including swimming pools, within the City. The bylaw sets out the information required to apply for a building permit, the permit fees and the conditions where a building permit may not be required. The bylaw also outlines the powers and duties of the building inspectors and how occupancy permits are issued. https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Building Bylaw, 1993, No. 7245.pdf"
  - Source: [Detached sheds, garages & workshops, Building Bylaw and detached sheds, garages and workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages)
  - Official wording: "# Detached sheds, garages & workshops A building permit is required for all residential garages, workshops and sheds over 10m^{2}. This pamphlet covers the requirements for such structures not attached to a house. A garage attached to a residence is classified as an addition to the dwelling unit. This pamphlet is not to be used for accessory buildings containing secondary suites."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Describe exactly what you are building. A storage shed, a roofed carport, an enclosed garage and an elevated or covered deck do different things, even when they have the same footprint. Detached residential garages over 10 m² need permits. An attached garage counts as an addition.

## Steps

1. Check your proposed structure against [Detached sheds, garages & workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages). Measure the footprint and height. For a deck, also record the height above ground and whether the work adds a roof or enclosure.
2. Draw the structure in relation to the home, lot lines and other buildings. Compare the design with both the permit threshold and the rules for siting it on the lot.
3. Submit a separate building permit application for each building and attach only the documents for that building.

## Good to know

- Open Kelowna’s zoning map and find your parcel.
- If you later connect the structure to the house, enclose it or change its intended use, ask the permit office about that revised design.
- For a question about the footprint, height above grade and distance from each property line, call the building department at 250-469-8960. Give the height at the highest point above adjacent ground if the land slopes.

## Related questions

- [Kelowna building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit.md)
- [Kelowna building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit-fees.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)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Detached sheds, garages & workshops](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Apply for a building permit](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/planning-development/zoning-bylaw) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Kelowna municipal office contact information](https://www.kelowna.ca/parks-recreation/recreation-facilities/city-hall) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Building Bylaw, City of Kelowna](https://www.kelowna.ca/city-hall/city-government/bylaws-policies/building-bylaw) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Kelowna. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/_