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

# Kitimat permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Kitimat a deck needs a deck permit ($40) and a shed under 10 m² needs a shed permit ($40). The District's deck form says a deck over 10 m² needs a Standard Building Permit. Garages and carports need a building permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal  
**Cost:** Deck permit $40; shed permit $40. Building permit fees for garages and carports are in Schedule A.  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time. Decks are inspected at excavation, foundation forms and framing; sheds after installation. Give at least 24 hours' notice.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 270 City Centre, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7 (Office hours are not stated in the documents we read.)
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-632-8900
- Email: Building Inspection Department, Building@kitimat.ca

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** A shed permit is required before building a shed with a floor area under 10 m² (measured to the outer surfaces of the exterior walls); fee $40. Part 13 sets no separate shed rule for 10 m² or more, so a larger outbuilding is a building needing a building permit (plain reading).
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 13.2.1.1(h)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a shed permit before construction of a shed that has a floor area less than 10m2 measured to the outer surfaces of the exterior walls;" … "A Shed or Deck $40.00"
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Schedule A](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Shed or Deck $40.00" … "Detached Building <10m2 $35.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** A deck permit is required before building any deck (no height threshold found). Fee $40, but the District's deck form says a deck greater than 10 m² requires a Standard Building Permit. Inspections at excavation, foundation forms and framing.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 13.2.1.1(g)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a deck permit before construction of a deck;" … "A Shed or Deck $40.00"
  - Source: [Deck Permit Application Package 2025, Form F (c) Deck Permit Application](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/deck-permit-application-package2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "*Greater than 10m2 requires a Standard Building Permit*" … "YOU MUST REQUEST INSPECTIONS AT EACH STAGE OF WORK:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** Garages and carports are not listed among the work that needs no building permit, so a building permit is required (s. 13.2.1.1(a): "a building permit before constructing, reconstructing, repairing or altering a building or structure").
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 13.2.1.1(a), 13.1.5.3](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, reconstructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;" … "Building Permit Not Required"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Residential zones: an accessory building may be built in a required side or rear yard if a 1.2 m yard (eave to property line) is kept and it is no higher than 4.9 m (pitched roof) or 4.3 m (flat roof). Inside the permissible building area up to 9 m. Never higher than the principal building. R1-A lot coverage: 25% plus 45 m² for accessory buildings and garage or carport.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.7](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a yard of 1.2 m or more, as measured from eave to property" … "with a gable, hip, gambrel, or mansard roof does not exceed" … "with a flat roof does not exceed 4.3m" … "may be no more than 9m high" … "provided the height of the accessory building or accessory structure does not exceed the height of the principal building."
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.9](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "may be no more than 9m high"
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.3.5](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Lot Coverage (Maximum): 25% plus 45 m² for accessory buildings and a garage or carport."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 13 - Building (s. 13.2.1, 13.2.10, Schedule A) and Part 9, Division 4 - Residential Zoning (s. 9.4.1.7 to 9.4.1.13)
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Part 13 and Part 9](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a deck permit before construction of a deck;" … "Accessory Buildings and Accessory Structures may be erected in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Part 13 of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) requires a deck permit before building any deck, and a shed permit before building a shed with a floor area under 10 m², measured to the outer surfaces of the exterior walls. Each costs $40. The Code defines a deck as a structure attached to a dwelling, without walls, on posts and beams above grade. We found no deck height below which a permit is not needed.

The District's deck form says a deck greater than 10 m² requires a Standard Building Permit. Part 13 sets no separate rule for sheds of 10 m² or more, so a larger outbuilding is a building needing a building permit (our plain reading). The same reading applies to garages and carports: they are not among the work that needs no permit.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone's limits with Community Planning and Development (planning@kitimat.ca).
2. Complete the deck permit package or the building permit form, depending on size.
3. Pay the fee and wait for the permit.
4. Book inspections with 24 hours' notice: excavation, foundation forms and framing for decks; after installation for sheds.

## Good to know

- Residential zones: an accessory building may be in a required side or rear yard if a 1.2 m yard (eave to property line) is kept and it is no higher than 4.9 m (pitched roof) or 4.3 m (flat roof). Inside the permissible building area it may be up to 9 m. It may never be higher than the principal building.
- R1-A lot coverage is 25% plus 45 m² for accessory buildings and a garage or carport. R1-B, R1-C, R2-A and R2-B list the same.
- On corner sites, buildings must be set back 4.5 m from property lines that adjoin a street.
- On multi-family zoned property a development permit is required for any accessory building.
- Floodplain rules in Part 14 may apply near the Kitimat River, the sea and watercourses.
- Zoning also sets a minimum parking requirement that includes space for a garage or carport.
- The District's deck form sample drawing shows guards required if the deck is higher than 600 mm above grade.

## Official forms and pages

- [Deck Permit Application Package 2025, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/deck-permit-application-package2025.pdf)
- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Kitimat building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/building-permit.md)
- [Kitimat building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kitimat zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Kitimat fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules.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)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Deck Permit Application Package 2025, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/deck-permit-application-package2025.pdf) (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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/deck-shed-garage-permit/_