GovHandbook

Langford permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Langford, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Langford, a new structure over 10 m² (107 ft²) needs a building permit, and the City publishes a permit checklist for garages and carports. The bylaw does not say whether a smaller shed or a deck needs one, so call the Building Department (250-474-6692) before you build.

Key facts

ShedsA new structure greater than 10 m² (107 ft²) needs a building permit. The City says permits are required for many accessory structures such as sheds and encourages calling first. Structures of 10 m² or less: the bylaw is silent on whether a permit is needed.Building Permits, Permit information; Bylaw Enforcement, Building Regulations, Pools & Fences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Erecting any new structure greater than 10 m2 or 107 ft2
many accessory structures and major renovations such as decks, sheds, and suites
Property owners are encouraged to always call first to ask if a permit is needed for the work they plan.
DecksNot confirmed. The sources read give no deck height or size threshold.
Garages and carportsYes, the City publishes a building permit checklist for 'Accessory Buildings – Garage or Carport'; a new structure over 10 m² (107 ft²) needs a permit, and the Building Bylaw requires a permit to construct a new building.Application Checklist, Accessory Buildings, Garage or Carport, checklist; Building Permits, Permit information; Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 2.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Application Checklist: Accessory Buildings – Garage or Carport
Erecting any new structure greater than 10 m2 or 107 ft2
No person shall construct a new building, or alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair
Zoning limitsHeight: the greater of 4.5 m or 60% of the house height. Total floor area 30 m², or 65 m² (lots 200 to 799 m²), 80 m² (800 to 999 m²), 180 m² plus extra (1,000 m² or more). Not within 1 m of side or rear lot lines, 6 m of an exterior side line, 1 m of the house, or 15 m of the front lot line unless the front setback is met.Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.05, s. 3.05.02(3)-(5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Either 4.5 m (14.8 ft) or 60% of the height of the principal dwelling, whichever is
may not
exceed 30 m2 (323 ft2), except under the following circumstances.
200 m2 – 799 m2 65 m2 (700 ft2)
800 m2 – 999 m2 80 m2 (861 ft2)
no accessory building may be located within 1 m
(3.3 ft) of a side lot line or rear lot line or within 6 m (19.7 ft) of an exterior side lot line
No accessory building may be located within 1 m (3.3 ft) of any principal building
no accessory building may be located within 15 m
BylawBuilding Bylaw No. 1160, 2008; Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999, s. 3.05Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), title; Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.05, s. 3.05 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026)
Accessory Buildings and Structures

How it works

The Building Bylaw requires a permit to construct a new building. The City's Building Permits page says a new structure greater than 10 m² (107 ft²) needs one, and its enforcement page says permits are required for many accessory structures such as sheds, decks and suites and encourages you to call first. The City publishes checklists for decks and for garages or carports.

  • Shed: over 10 m² needs a permit. For 10 m² or less, the bylaw is silent.
  • Deck: the sources we read give no height or size threshold. The City lists decks among structures that need permits, so call first.
  • Garage or carport: a permit checklist exists, and a new structure over 10 m² needs a permit.

Steps

  1. Call the Building Department (250-474-6692) and describe the deck, shed, carport or garage.
  2. Check zoning limits (below) with Planning.
  3. Download the checklist for your project and prepare the drawings it lists.
  4. Submit the application online or at City Hall.

Good to know

  • Zoning Bylaw 300, section 3.05.02, limits accessory buildings in agricultural, residential, rural residential, multiple residential and CD zones, though some zones differ. Height is the greater of 4.5 m or 60% of the house height. Total floor area is 30 m², or 65 m² on lots of 200 to 799 m², 80 m² on lots of 800 to 999 m², and 180 m² plus extra on lots of 1,000 m² or more.
  • Placement: not within 1 m of side or rear lot lines, 6 m of an exterior side lot line, or 1 m of the house, and not within 15 m of the front lot line unless the front setback is met.
  • A garage with a suite has its own rules; see the secondary suite answer.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Highlands · Colwood · View Royal · Esquimalt · Metchosin · Sooke

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building Permits, City of Langford (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Bylaw Enforcement, City of Langford (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Application Checklist, Accessory Buildings, Garage or Carport (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.05 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.