Lumby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In Lumby a shed under 10 m² (about 108 sq ft) that creates no hazard needs no building permit. A deck needs one if it is 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point. A garage or carport larger than 10 m² needs one.
Key facts
| Sheds | An accessory building under 10 m² (about 108 sq ft) that creates no hazard and is sited per zoning needs no building permit. Larger sheds do.Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 105.2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingaccessory buildings less than 10 square metres in building area that do not create a hazard, on the condition that the building is sited in accordance with the Village |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck needs a permit if the difference in height between the deck surface and the ground is 0.6 m (about 2 ft) or more at any point. Lower decks need none if sited per the Zoning Bylaw.Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 105.2(h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingdeck additions, except a deck where the difference in elevation between the deck surface and the ground surface at any point is 0.6 metres or more and on the condition that the deck is sited in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw; |
| Garages and carports | Not exempt: the Building Bylaw exempts only accessory buildings under 10 m², so a garage or carport larger than that needs a building permit.Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 105.2(b), 104.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingaccessory buildings less than 10 square metres in building area A permit is required whenever work regulated under this Bylaw is to be undertaken. |
| Zoning limits | Accessory residential buildings in residential zones: 8 m from front or exterior side lot lines, 1 m from rear and side lines, 3 m from other buildings; domestic garage up to 80.3 m², other accessory buildings up to 15 m²; height 5 m. R.1 zone lot coverage: 40% (50% with driveways and parking).Zoning Bylaw No. 750, 2012, consolidated, s. 405 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingbe sited not less than: 8 m (26.25 feet) from any front or exterior side lot line 1 m (3.281 feet) from any rear or side lot line be not larger than 80.3 m2 (864.37 square feet) be not larger than 15 shall be constructed with a maximum height of 5 m (16.40 feet). Maximum Lot Coverage: 40% and together with driveways and parking areas, shall not exceed 50%. |
| Bylaw | Village of Lumby Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019 (s. 105.2); Zoning Bylaw No. 750, 2012 (s. 405)Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 105; Zoning Bylaw No. 750, 2012, consolidated, s. 405 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording105 SCOPE AND GENERAL EXEMPTIONS 405 Accessory Residential Buildings and Structures in Residential Zones |
How it works
The Village's Building Bylaw No. 834, s. 105.2, and Zoning Bylaw No. 750, s. 405, work together. The building bylaw decides whether you need a permit; zoning decides where and how big.
- Shed: an accessory building under 10 m² (about 108 sq ft) that creates no hazard and is sited as zoning requires needs no building permit. Larger sheds do.
- Deck: a permit is needed if the height between the deck surface and the ground is 0.6 m (about 2 ft) or more at any point. Lower decks need none if sited per zoning.
- Garage or carport: the bylaw exempts only accessory buildings under 10 m², so a garage or carport larger than that needs a building permit.
Zoning limits for accessory residential buildings in residential zones: 8 m from front or exterior side lot lines, 1 m from rear and side lines, 3 m from other buildings. A domestic garage can be up to 80.3 m²; other accessory buildings up to 15 m². Height is limited to 5 m. In the R.1 zone, lot coverage is 40% (50% with driveways and parking), and up to two accessory residential buildings are allowed per lot. A detached garage may sit 4.5 m from the front line on lots over 20% slope.
Steps
- Measure the building's floor area and, for a deck, its height above the ground.
- Check the zoning setbacks and size limits above.
- If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit answer. An accessory building needs a site plan and two sets of construction plans.
- If unsure, call the Village office (250-547-2171) or RDNO (250-550-3700).
Good to know
- Exempt buildings must still meet zoning rules.
- The 10 m² conversion to square feet is approximate.
- The Village planning page lists a "Deck & Accessory Permit" form. Ask staff how it relates to the exemptions above.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Coldstream · Vernon · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Enderby · Lake Country
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 750, 2012, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, Village of Lumby (read 2026-11-08)
- Planning and Building Inspection, Village of Lumby (read 2026-11-08)
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.