Township of Langley permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
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.
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.Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1; Residential Building Permits, Accessory buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Permit is required for all Construction. Building Permit Application Checklist (Residential Accessory Buildings) Declaration of Intended Use - Accessory |
|---|---|
| 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.Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1; Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Guide, first page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Permit is required for all Construction. construct a new building or structure alter, repair, renovate, relocate, or add to an existing building |
| 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.Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 18, Valuation Schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Permit is required for all Construction. Garage or Closed Accessory $450.00 per m2 Carport or Open Accessory $200.00 per m2 |
| 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).Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones, s. 401.4 1); s. 401.6; s. 401.5 note (1); Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 104.15 1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuildings 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 No accessory building or structure shall be erected on any lot unless the |
| Bylaw | Langley Building Bylaw 2008 No. 4642; Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, title; Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 101.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642 Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500 |
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. 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
- Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and check its limits in the Zoning Bylaw.
- Call Permits, Licences and Inspections (604-533-6018) to check whether your shed or deck needs a permit.
- 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
The same question in other places
Langley City · Surrey · White Rock · Maple Ridge · Port Coquitlam · Mission
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential 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. How answers are checked.