---
title: Kent permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Kent, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kent
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Kent
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Kent permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Kent, https://www.kentbc.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Building Department, 604-796-2235
- Email: Building Department, building@kentbc.ca
- In person: Municipal Hall, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a)-(b)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), Sch. B item 14](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For a permit to situate a building less than 150 sq. ft. (14m2)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** 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.
  - Source: [Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Installing a chimney for a wood burning appliance. • Decks."
  - Source: [Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(b)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Landscaping, including patios less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** 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.
  - Source: [Homeowner Guide, February 2025, cover](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CARPORT, GARAGE, SUNDECK OR OTHER WORK"
  - Source: [Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construct a new accessory building (exceptions noted below)."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7.1.2](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7.1.3](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 9.4.1 (RS1)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "accessory building 5.0 metres (16.5 feet) maximum"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (s. 7.7)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation), cover](https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1116, 1997"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "7.7 Accessory Buildings and Structures"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

**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.

**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.

**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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. Call the Building Department at 604-796-2235 or building@kentbc.ca to confirm whether your project needs a permit.
3. If it does, apply as described in the building-permit answer.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- In agricultural and residential zones (except RS1), accessory buildings may not take up more than two-thirds of the rear yard width.

## Official forms and pages

- [Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation)](https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Kent building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/building-permit.md)
- [Kent building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kent fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/fence-rules.md)
- [Kent zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/zoning-lookup.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)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF)](https://kentbc-ca.govstack.com/media/dudkhejx/district-of-kent-a-guide-for-the-homeowner-february-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation)](https://www.kentbc.ca/media/mx2av5qt/doc_636886040467766759.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permits, District of Kent](https://www.kentbc.ca/business-and-development/development-and-planning/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Kent. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/deck-shed-garage-permit/_