{"title":"Lake Country permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Lake Country?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","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 Lake Country","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca"},"short_answer":"In Lake Country a shed under 10 m² generally needs no building permit, and neither does a detached deck under 600 mm above the ground with no walls or roof. Larger sheds, higher or attached decks, and garages need a permit. Confirm carports with the Building Department.","aliases":["shed permit lake country","deck permit lake country","garage permit lake country","carport permit lake country"],"cost":"Building permit fee of 1.2% of construction value plus a flat amount; see the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"Not stated on the District's pages.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"250-766-6675"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Department","value":"building@lakecountry.bc.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, BC V4V 2M1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist (PDF)","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist"},{"title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF)","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF)","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Lake Country building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Lake Country building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Lake Country fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Lake Country zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/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":"An accessory building with a floor area under 10 m² does not need a building permit (unless in an OCP development permit area or it could create a hazard). Larger sheds do.","short":"No if under 10 m², no hazard","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 2.3(b)","quotes":["an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2;","Except where located within a development permit area under the District’s Official Community Plan or could possibly create a hazard, this bylaw does not apply to"]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/business-development/planning-building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, District of Lake Country","section":"Building Permits page, FAQ","quotes":["An accessory building that is less than ten square meters (approximately 107 square feet) which does not create a hazard is exempt."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A deck needs a permit unless it is less than 600 mm above the ground or finished grade, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof (and is not in a development permit area or a hazard).","short":"Yes, unless under 600 mm, detached, no walls or roof","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 2.3(h)","quotes":["decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade, which are","not attached to a building and have no walls or roofs;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"A garage is an accessory building: the District has a permit checklist titled 'Accessory Building (Garage, Shed, Gazebo and Similar)'. Only accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt (Bylaw 1070 s. 2.3(b)). Carports are not mentioned separately in the bylaw; confirm with the Building Department.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist","title":"Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist","quotes":["Accessory Building (Garage, Shed, Gazebo and Similar) Permit Application"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"In residential zones an accessory building must be outside the required front yard and at least 1 m from the house. Coverage: 14%, or a maximum of 90 m² in Residential Urban zones. Side setback 1.0 m (0 m if under 2.0 m high and 10 m²). RU1 height 5.5 m (8 m or 2 storeys with a suite).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 7.6.3","quotes":["Accessory Buildings or structures are not permitted in a required front yard","and shall be a minimum of 1 m from the principal residence.","Lot coverage of accessory buildings or structures shall not exceed 14% or a","maximum area of 90 m² for accessory buildings in the Residential Urban","shall be located no less than 1.0 m from the side lot line, except that","and is less than 10.0 m2 in area, it may be located within 0.0 m from the","it is the lesser of 8m or 2 storeys for an accessory building containing an"]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 15.1 (RU1)","quotes":["Accessory buildings and structures: The maximum height is 5.5 m, except"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (s. 2.3); Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (s. 7.6)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 2.3","quotes":["Except where located within a development permit area under the District’s Official Community Plan or could possibly create a hazard, this bylaw does not apply to"]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 7.6","quotes":["parcels being created may not meet the minimum area required for subdivision. 7.6. Accessory Development No person shall erect or permit to be erected a satellite dish, radio or television mast","DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY ZONING BYLAW 561, 2007 CONSOLIDATED VERSION"]}],"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\nIn the District of Lake Country, [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated) (s. 2.3) exempts an accessory building with a floor area under 10 m², and a deck that is less than 600 mm above the ground or finished grade, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. Neither exemption applies in an Official Community Plan development permit area or where the work could create a hazard.\n\nA garage is an accessory building, and the District has a permit checklist for garages, sheds and gazebos. Carports are not mentioned separately in the bylaw; confirm with the Building Department.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the size and height against the exemptions above.\n2. Check the zoning limits below, or call Planning at 250-766-6674.\n3. If a permit is needed, use the District's Accessory Building checklist and apply to the Building Department (see the building-permit answer).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning rules apply even when no permit is needed. In residential zones an accessory building must be outside the required front yard and at least 1 m from the house.\n- Under the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated) (s. 7.6.3), coverage is 14%, or a maximum of 90 m² in Residential Urban zones. The side setback is 1.0 m (0 m if under 2.0 m high and 10 m²). In RU1, height is 5.5 m (8 m or 2 storeys with a suite).\n- Other limits vary by zone. In an urban or rural residential zone, an accessory building must also be at least 18.0 m from the front lot line unless it meets the side-yard rule and sits at least twice the required front setback back.\n- An accessory building may not be used as a dwelling unless it is a permitted accessory suite.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist","title":"Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist (PDF), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/business-development/planning-building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, District of Lake Country","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/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}