---
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?"
place: Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lake-country
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Lake Country
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Lake Country, https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Building Department, 250-766-6675
- Email: Building Department, building@lakecountry.bc.ca
- In person: Municipal Hall, 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, BC V4V 2M1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated), s. 2.3(b)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page, FAQ](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/business-development/planning-building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "An accessory building that is less than ten square meters (approximately 107 square feet) which does not create a hazard is exempt."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** 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).
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated), s. 2.3(h)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** 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.
  - Source: [Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Building (Garage, Shed, Gazebo and Similar) Permit Application"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 7.6.3](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 15.1 (RU1)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Accessory buildings and structures: The maximum height is 5.5 m, except"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (s. 2.3); Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (s. 7.6)
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated), s. 2.3](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 7.6](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In 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.

A 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.

## Steps

1. Check the size and height against the exemptions above.
2. Check the zoning limits below, or call Planning at 250-766-6674.
3. If a permit is needed, use the District's Accessory Building checklist and apply to the Building Department (see the building-permit answer).

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- An accessory building may not be used as a dwelling unless it is a permitted accessory suite.

## Official forms and pages

- [Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist (PDF)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist)
- [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated)
- [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)

## Related questions

- [Lake Country building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Country building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lake Country fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules.md)
- [Lake Country zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/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)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Regulation Bylaw 1070, 2018 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/building-regulation-bylaw-1070-2018-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Accessory Building Permit Application Submission Checklist (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-application-submission-checklist) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permits, District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/business-development/planning-building/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 Lake Country. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit/_