{"title":"Kent permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/kent","name":"Kent","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Kent","url":"https://www.kentbc.ca"},"short_answer":"In the District of Kent decks, garages and carports need a building permit. The Homeowner Guide says one shed under 10 m² needs none, but the fee schedule lists a $150 permit for buildings under 14 m², so confirm with the Building Department.","aliases":["kent shed permit","deck permit agassiz","garage permit kent bc","accessory building kent"],"cost":"Building permit fees start at $150 (see the building-permit-fees answer). The fee schedule lists a $150 permit to situate a building under 14 m².","how_long":"The District does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"604-796-2235"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Department","value":"building@kentbc.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)","url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation)","url":"https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Kent building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Kent building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Kent fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Kent zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs","name":"Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"The Homeowner Guide says one accessory building under 10 m² (107.6 sq ft) needs no permit unless it has operating mechanical equipment; it must still meet zoning and be anchored. But the fee schedule lists a $150 permit to situate a building under 14 m² (150 sq ft). Confirm with the Building Department.","short":"No if under 10 m² (fee schedule: $150 under 14 m²)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 2(a)-(b)","quotes":["Construct a new accessory building (exceptions noted below).","One accessory building with a floor area less than 10 square metres","and must be properly anchored to prevent wind uplift. However, the location must"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"Sch. B item 14","quotes":["For a permit to situate a building less than 150 sq. ft. (14m2)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Fee item 14 mentions a $150 permit to situate a building under 150 sq. ft. (14 m²); the guide's exemption is 10 m². Confirm with the Building Department."},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"Decks are on the guide's list of work that needs a building permit. No height threshold is stated. Patios less than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade count as landscaping and need no permit.","short":"Yes; no height threshold stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 2(a)","quotes":["Installing a chimney for a wood burning appliance. • Decks."]},{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 2(b)","quotes":["Landscaping, including patios less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"A new garage or carport is an accessory building and needs a building permit (the Homeowner Guide covers carports and garages). An attached accessory building that is not completely open on its sides is treated as part of the house for zoning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","section":"cover","quotes":["CARPORT, GARAGE, SUNDECK OR OTHER WORK"]},{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 2(a)","quotes":["Construct a new accessory building (exceptions noted below)."]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","section":"s. 7.7.1.2","quotes":["attached to the principal building or attached by a structure which is","principal building and shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this Bylaw","Where an accessory building or structure which is not completely open on its sides is attached to the principal building"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"General rules (s. 7.7): at most 3.7 m (12 ft) high, at most 10% of the lot, behind the front face of the house, at least 3 m from an exterior side lot line, 1.5 m from an interior side line and 1.5 m from a rear line next to a lane. Zone rules can differ; in the RS1 zone the height limit is 5.0 m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","section":"s. 7.7.1.3","quotes":["shall not exceed a height of three point seven (3.7) metres (12 feet);","shall not occupy more than ten percent (10%) of the area of the lot upon","shall be sited to the rear of the front face of a principal building on the","three (3) metres (10 feet) from an exterior side lot line;","one point five (1.5) metres (5 feet) from an interior side lot line;","one point five (1.5) metres (5 feet) from a rear lot line adjacent to a","lane;"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","section":"Table 9.4.1 (RS1)","quotes":["accessory building         5.0 metres (16.5 feet) maximum"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (s. 7.7)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation)","section":"cover","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1116, 1997"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","section":"s. 7.7","quotes":["7.7 Accessory Buildings and Structures"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n**Shed.** The [Homeowner Guide](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf) says one accessory building under 10 m² (107.6 sq ft) needs no permit unless it has operating mechanical equipment. It must still meet zoning and be anchored. But the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf) lists a $150 permit to situate a building under 14 m² (150 sq ft). The two official sources differ, so confirm with the Building Department.\n\n**Deck.** Decks are on the Guide's list of work that needs a building permit, and no height threshold is stated. Patios less than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade count as landscaping and need no permit.\n\n**Garage or carport.** A new garage or carport is an accessory building and needs a building permit. An attached accessory building that is not completely open on its sides is treated as part of the house for zoning.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check size and setbacks in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf) (section 7.7) or call Planning at 604-796-2235.\n2. Call the Building Department at 604-796-2235 or building@kentbc.ca to confirm whether your project needs a permit.\n3. If it does, apply as described in the building-permit answer.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- General accessory building limits (section 7.7): at most 3.7 m (12 ft) high, at most 10% of the lot, behind the front face of the house, at least 3 m from an exterior side lot line, 1.5 m from an interior side line, and 1.5 m from a rear line next to a lane.\n- Zone rules can differ. In the RS1 zone the height limit is 5.0 m. Another section says 6.0 m \"unless otherwise specified\". Check your zone's table.\n- In agricultural and residential zones (except RS1), accessory buildings may not take up more than two-thirds of the rear yard width.","sources":[{"url":"https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf","title":"Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.kentbc.ca/business-and-development/development-and-planning/building-permits/","title":"Building Permits, District of Kent","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}