GovHandbook

Maple Ridge permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Maple Ridge, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

ShedsUnder 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.Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.6(e); Accessory Building Guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
applying for a permit to build an accessory building (shed, garage, workshop, greenhouse, barn etc.).
DecksThe 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.Home Improvements, Decks (Addition or Renovation); Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 2, definition of Structure · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A Permit is required for construction, renovation, demolition, or alteration of a deck.
decks over 0.6 metres above finished grade
Garages and carportsYes. 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.Accessory Building Guide; Home Improvements, Carport or Garage Conversions; Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.6(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
applying for a permit to build an accessory building (shed, garage, workshop, greenhouse, barn etc.).
Converting a carport into a garage, or a carport/garage into living space requires careful review of structure, insulation, and parking requirements.
Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings not exceeding ten (10) square metres in floor area may be erected without a permit
Zoning limitsSet 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.Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, s. 605.6, 605.7(2), 605.8(2) (RS-1); 402.29(5)-(6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
BylawBuilding Bylaw No. 8097-2026; Zoning Bylaw No. 7600-2019Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, s. 101.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026
MAPLE RIDGE ZONING BYLAW NO.7600-2019

How it works

Under the City of Maple Ridge Building Bylaw 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

The same question in other places

Pitt Meadows · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · Anmore · Township of Langley · Port Moody

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Accessory Building Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Building Permits, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.