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

# Township of Langley permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley) the Building Bylaw requires a permit for all construction and sets no size or height exemption for sheds or decks. Garages and carports also need one. Zoning sets setbacks and height by zone. Call Permits, Licences and Inspections before assuming a small shed is exempt.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Langley, https://www.tol.ca)  
**Cost:** See the building-permit-fees answer. The fee schedule values a garage or closed accessory at $450 per m² and a carport or open accessory at $200 per m².  
**How long:** The Township does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Permits, Licences and Inspections, 604-533-6018
- Email: Building information, buildinginfo@tol.ca
- In person: Civic Facility (Municipal Hall), 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building permit applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.))

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** The Building Bylaw says a permit is required for all construction and sets no shed size threshold. Accessory buildings have their own application checklist and a Declaration of Intended Use.
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Permit is required for all Construction."
  - Source: [Residential Building Permits, Accessory buildings](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit Application Checklist (Residential Accessory Buildings)" … "Declaration of Intended Use - Accessory"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** No deck height threshold is stated. The Building Bylaw requires a permit for all construction, and the guide says a permit is needed to construct a new building or structure or add to an existing building.
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Permit is required for all Construction."
  - Source: [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Guide, first page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf)
  - Official wording: "construct a new building or structure" … "alter, repair, renovate, relocate, or add to an existing building"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** A permit is required (all construction). The fee schedule values 'Garage or Closed Accessory' at $450 per m² and 'Carport or Open Accessory' at $200 per m². Detached garages and coach houses have separate zoning setbacks.
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Permit is required for all Construction."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 18, Valuation Schedule](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Garage or Closed Accessory $450.00 per m2" … "Carport or Open Accessory $200.00 per m2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Zone rules vary. In R-1A (front loaded lot): no accessory buildings in the front yard; 1.5 m rear and 1.2 m side setbacks (0.6 m if under 6.0 m²); maximum height 3.75 m; buildings and structures cover up to 35% of the lot (45% with infill housing).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones, s. 401.4 1); s. 401.6; s. 401.5 note (1)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE%29-Zones.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Buildings and structures shall not cover more than 35% of the lot area." … "Accessory buildings and structures that are not dwelling 3.75m" … "Accessory buildings and structures, including accessory dwelling units and accessory" … "A minimum rear lot line and side lot line setback of 0.6m is permitted for an accessory"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 104.15 1)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No accessory building or structure shall be erected on any lot unless the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Langley Building Bylaw 2008 No. 4642; Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "LANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 101.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Township of Langley (a separate municipality from the City of Langley) requires a permit for all construction under its [Building Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf). The bylaw sets no shed size threshold, and we found no exemption for small sheds. No deck height threshold is stated either; the Township's guide says a permit is needed to construct a new building or structure or add to an existing building. A garage or carport also needs a permit. Accessory buildings have their own application checklist and a Declaration of Intended Use.

Zoning is separate. Each zone sets its own setbacks, height and coverage.

## Steps

1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and check its limits in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE)-Zones.pdf).
2. Call Permits, Licences and Inspections (604-533-6018) to check whether your shed or deck needs a permit.
3. Apply online (see the building-permit answer) with the accessory building checklist.

## Good to know

- Example limits for the R-1A zone (front loaded lot) only: no accessory buildings in the front yard; 1.5 m rear and 1.2 m side setbacks (0.6 m if under 6.0 m²); maximum height 3.75 m; buildings and structures cover up to 35% of the lot (45% with infill housing). Other zones differ, so check your own.
- The fee schedule values a garage or closed accessory building at $450 per m² and a carport or open accessory building at $200 per m². Detached garages and coach houses have separate zoning setbacks.

## Official forms and pages

- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
- [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE%29-Zones.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Township of Langley building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Township of Langley fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/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)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE%29-Zones.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 Township of Langley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit/_