Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
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.
Key facts
| Sheds | In Kelowna, detached residential sheds, garages and workshops larger than 10 square metres require a building permit.Detached sheds, garages & workshops · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingA 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. |
|---|---|
| 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.Detached sheds, garages & workshops · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingA 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. |
| 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.Building Bylaw, Building Bylaw and detached sheds, garages and workshops; Detached sheds, garages & workshops, Building Bylaw and detached sheds, garages and workshops · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingBylaw 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 # 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. |
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
- Check your proposed structure against Detached sheds, garages & workshops. Measure the footprint and height. For a deck, also record the height above ground and whether the work adds a roof or enclosure.
- 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.
- 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.
The same question in other places
West Kelowna · Lake Country · Peachland · Coldstream · Vernon · Summerland
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Detached sheds, garages & workshops (read 2026-11-09)
- Apply for a building permit (read 2026-11-09)
- Zoning Bylaw (read 2026-11-09)
- Kelowna municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
- Building Bylaw, City of Kelowna (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. How answers are checked.