Kent permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
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.
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.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a)-(b); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), Sch. B item 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruct 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 For a permit to situate a building less than 150 sq. ft. (14m2) |
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| 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.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a); Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingInstalling a chimney for a wood burning appliance. • Decks. Landscaping, including patios less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade; |
| 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.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, cover; Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a); Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCARPORT, GARAGE, SUNDECK OR OTHER WORK Construct a new accessory building (exceptions noted below). 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 |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7.1.3; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 9.4.1 (RS1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall 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; accessory building 5.0 metres (16.5 feet) maximum |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (s. 7.7)Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation), cover; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 1116, 1997 7.7 Accessory Buildings and Structures |
How it works
Shed. 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 Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717 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
- Check size and setbacks in the Zoning Bylaw (section 7.7) or call Planning at 604-796-2235.
- Call the Building Department at 604-796-2235 or building@kentbc.ca to confirm whether your project needs a permit.
- 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
The same question in other places
Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Permits, District of Kent (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. How answers are checked.