---
title: Maple Ridge permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/maple-ridge
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Maple Ridge
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Maple Ridge permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Maple Ridge a shed or other accessory building of 10 square metres or less can be built without a building permit, but must still meet the Building Code and all bylaws. Garages, carports and larger buildings need one. The City says decks need one, with no height stated.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Maple Ridge, https://www.mapleridge.ca)  
**Cost:** Application fee plus a value-based fee under the Fees and Charges Bylaw. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**Where:**
- Online: Citizen Portal, https://citizenportal.mapleridge.ca/citizenportal/app/landing
- Phone: Building general inquiries, 604-467-7311
- Email: Permit applications, PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca
- Phone: Planning (zoning questions), 604-467-7341
- Email: Planning (zoning questions), Planning@MapleRidge.ca

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** Under the Building Bylaw, a shed or accessory building of 10 m² or less may be built without a permit but must still meet the Building Code and all bylaws. The City page says a permit is needed over 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²), so confirm sheds in between. Larger sheds need a permit. (Sources differ: The Building Permits page says a permit is needed for structures over 100 square feet (about 9.3 m2); the bylaw's no-permit line is 10 m2.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.6(e)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings not exceeding ten (10) square metres in floor area may be erected without a permit"
  - Source: [Accessory Building Guide](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf)
  - Official wording: "applying for a permit to build an accessory building (shed, garage, workshop, greenhouse, barn etc.)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** The City says a permit is required to construct, renovate, demolish or alter a deck; no height threshold is stated on that page. The Building Bylaw defines 'Structure' to include 'decks over 0.6 metres above finished grade'. (Sources differ: No explicit 'low decks need no permit' rule found. The page wording (any deck) and the bylaw definition (0.6 m) may differ; confirm with the Building Department for decks under 0.6 m.)
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Decks (Addition or Renovation)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
  - Official wording: "A Permit is required for construction, renovation, demolition, or alteration of a deck."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 2, definition of Structure](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "decks over 0.6 metres above finished grade"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** Yes. Garages and carports are accessory buildings covered by the Accessory Building Guide and need a building permit unless 10 m² or less. Converting a carport to a garage, or a carport or garage to living space, also needs a building permit.
  - Source: [Accessory Building Guide](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf)
  - Official wording: "applying for a permit to build an accessory building (shed, garage, workshop, greenhouse, barn etc.)."
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Carport or Garage Conversions](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
  - Official wording: "Converting a carport into a garage, or a carport/garage into living space requires careful review of structure, insulation, and parking requirements."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.6(e)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings not exceeding ten (10) square metres in floor area may be erected without a permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Set zone by zone. Example, RS-1: accessory buildings up to 4.5 m high; at least 7.5 m from the front lot line, 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines, 3.0 m from an exterior side line, 1.5 m from the house; total lot coverage 40%. Urban Infill lots: 4.5 m high; 5.5 m front, 1.5 m rear.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, s. 605.6, 605.7(2), 605.8(2) (RS-1); 402.29(5)-(6)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Structures together shall not exceed a Lot Coverage of 40%." … "Minimum Setbacks for Accessory Buildings and Accessory Structures shall be not" … "from a Front Lot Line 7.5 metres" … "from a Rear Lot Line 1.5 metres" … "from an Exterior Side Lot Line 3.0 metres" … "Building Height for Accessory Buildings and Accessory Structures shall not exceed 4.5 metres."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026; Zoning Bylaw No. 7600-2019
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 1.1](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, s. 101.1](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019)
  - Official wording: "MAPLE RIDGE ZONING BYLAW NO.7600-2019"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the City of Maple Ridge [Building Bylaw 8097-2026](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026), storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings of 10 m² or less may be built without a permit. Garages and carports are accessory buildings and need a building permit unless they are 10 m² or less. Converting a carport to a garage, or a carport or garage to living space, also needs one.

For decks, the City's Home Improvements page says a permit is required to construct, renovate, demolish or alter a deck and states no height. The bylaw's definition of a structure includes decks over 0.6 m above finished grade.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning on the City's RidgeView map or with Planning (604-467-7341). Size, height and setbacks are set zone by zone.
2. Read the Accessory Building Guide and the checklist for what to submit.
3. Apply in the Citizen Portal with a site plan and drawings.
4. Wait for the permit before building, then request inspections.

## Good to know

- A shed of 10 m² or less is exempt from the permit, not from the rules. The Building Code, setbacks and height limits still apply.
- The Building Permits page says a permit is needed over 100 square feet (about 9.3 m²), a little lower than the bylaw. For a shed in between, confirm with the Building department.
- For decks under 0.6 m high, the page and the bylaw may differ. Confirm with the Building department.
- Example limits in the RS-1 zone: accessory buildings up to 4.5 m high; at least 7.5 m from the front lot line, 1.5 m from the rear and interior side lines, 3.0 m from an exterior side line and 1.5 m from the house; total lot coverage 40%. Other zones set their own limits.

## Official forms and pages

- [Accessory Building Guide (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf)
- [Home Improvements (decks, carport and garage conversions)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
- [Residential Permits](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/residential-permits)
- [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)

## Related questions

- [Maple Ridge building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit.md)
- [Maple Ridge building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Maple Ridge fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/fence-rules.md)
- [Maple Ridge zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/zoning-lookup.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)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Accessory Building Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Maple Ridge. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit/_