Lantzville permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Lantzville?
Short answer
In Lantzville a deck under 2 ft above grade and not attached to the building needs no building permit, nor do pre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds, or a one-storey building up to 55 m² with no sleeping or dwelling units. Other decks, garages and carports: ask Planning.
Key facts
| Sheds | No building permit for pre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds. Also exempt: a single-storey building up to 55 m² with no sleeping or dwelling units, not used by the public, with a signed owner's Schedule 3 declaration. A development permit may still be needed.Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(a), (c); Building Permit, Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingpre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds a single storey standard building up to 55 m2 gross floor area that does not contain sleeping units or dwelling units and will not be used or occupied by members of the broader public If your property is located in a development permit area, a Development Permit application will still be required. |
|---|---|
| Decks | Exempt from a building permit only if the deck is less than 2 ft above the average grade (measured from the top of the deck) and not structurally attached to the building.Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingdecks that are less than 2 ft above the average grade of the ground, measured from the top of the deck, and are not structurally attached to the building |
| Garages and carports | Not confirmed. Garages and carports are not named in the building permit exemption list. |
| Zoning limits | Example, Residential 1 zone: secondary structure setbacks 6 m front, 1.5 m rear, 1.5 m interior side, 3 m exterior side; maximum height 6 m; parcel coverage 35%. A secondary building must be at least 1.2 m from the house. Other zones differ.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 3; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 4; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 5; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), General regulations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSecondary Structure 6m 1.5 m 1.5 m 3m House 4.5 m 4.5 m 1.5 m 3m Secondary Structure 6m 1.5 m 1.5 m 3m Schedule 'A' to District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 28 The maximum parcel coverage is 35%. Secondary buildings must be sited at least 1.2 m from a primary building, measured between the foundations of each building. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (s. 2.4 exemptions); District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 182, 2020 ZONING BYLAW NO. 180, 2020 |
How it works
Building permit exemptions are in section 2.4 of the District of Lantzville's Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020. Zoning rules still apply to exempt buildings, and a development permit may still be needed.
- Shed: no permit for pre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds. A single-storey building up to 55 m² gross floor area with no sleeping or dwelling units, not used by the public, is also exempt if the owner signs the Schedule 3 declaration. The bylaw gives no size limit for sheds.
- Deck: exempt only if it is less than 2 ft above the average grade (measured from the top of the deck) and not structurally attached to the building.
- Garage or carport: not named in the exemption list. If it fits the 55 m² rule above it is exempt; otherwise ask Planning.
Steps
- Check the exemptions above against your project.
- Check your zone's setbacks, height and coverage in the Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020.
- If a permit is needed, apply through Cloudpermit (see the building-permit answer).
Good to know
- Example, Residential 1 zone: secondary structures need setbacks of 6 m front, 1.5 m rear, 1.5 m interior side and 3 m exterior side, a maximum height of 6 m, and parcel coverage of 35%. A secondary building must be at least 1.2 m from the house. Other zones differ.
- A secondary building is allowed only once a primary use is on the parcel or its building permit is active. Streamside and coastal setbacks of 15 m also apply.
- Planning Department: planning@lantzville.ca, 250-933-8093.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Sechelt · Ladysmith · Gibsons
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permit, District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
- Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 150 (PDF), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
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.