Merritt permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In the City of Merritt a garage or carport needs a building permit. A deck needs one unless it is under 600 mm above the ground with no walls or roof. A shed under 10 m2 is outside the Building Bylaw, though the City's web page says 100 sq ft, so confirm first.
Key facts
| Sheds | A shed or other accessory building with a floor area under 10 m² (that is not a potential unsafe condition) is outside the Building Bylaw. A larger one needs a building permit; in CloudPermit use 'accessory structures'.Sources differ: Building Services page says under 100 sq ft (about 9.3 m²); the bylaw says under 10 m². Bylaw followed. A zoning-compliant location is still needed even without a permit.City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, s. 3.3(b); CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide, Start a new application; Building Services, Building Services page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres, that does not you would select “accessory structures” for smaller structures like Accessory buildings under 100 sq ft |
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| Decks | A deck or patio less than 600 mm above the ground or finished grade, with no walls or roof, does not need a building permit. A higher deck, or one with walls or a roof, is not exempt.City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, s. 3.3(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdecks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade and have no walls or roofs; |
| Garages and carports | The Building Bylaw lists no exemption for garages or carports (only accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt), so they need a building permit. Detached garages use the 'accessory structures' type in CloudPermit.City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, s. 3.3, Appendix A; CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide, Start a new application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres, that does not Attached garages Attached carports sheds and detached garages |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings need a principal building first, must meet each zone's rules, sit at the principal building's front setback, and cannot be a dwelling, suite or short-term rental. R1 zone: 1.2 m from interior side, exterior side and rear lines; max height the lesser of 5 m or 1.5 storeys; 1.5 m between accessory buildings and other structures.City of Merritt Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020, 2026 consolidation, s. 4.16, 7.3.6(l); City of Merritt Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020, 2026 consolidation, Table 4.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAn Accessory Building must not be erected on any Parcel unless: Accessory Buildings must conform with the development regulations outlined in each Accessory Buildings have the same Front Setback as the Principal Building. An Accessory Building may not be used as a Dwelling Unit, Secondary Suite, Short- 1.5 metres between Accessory Buildings and other Structures N/A Building 1.2 metres 1.2 metres metres or 1.5 metres between Accessory Buildings and other Structures; and If less than 0.6 metres from Grade, not subject to regulations |
| Bylaw | City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024 (s. 3.3); Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 (s. 4.16).City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, title; City of Merritt Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020, 2026 consolidation, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024” Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 |
How it works
In the City of Merritt, the Building Bylaw exempts only a short list of structures. Even when no building permit is needed, the Zoning Bylaw still requires a compliant location.
Good to know
- Shed: an accessory building with a floor area under 10 m2 (that is not a potential unsafe condition) is outside the Building Bylaw. A larger one needs a building permit; in CloudPermit use "accessory structures". The City's web page says under 100 sq ft, so confirm before building.
- Deck: a deck or patio less than 600 mm above the ground or finished grade, with no walls or roof, needs no building permit. A higher deck, or one with walls or a roof, is not exempt.
- Garage or carport: the bylaw lists no exemption for them, so they need a building permit. Use "accessory structures" in CloudPermit for a detached garage.
- Zoning: an accessory building needs a principal building first, must meet each zone's rules, sits at the principal building's front setback, and cannot be a dwelling, suite or short-term rental. In the R1 zone it must be 1.2 m from interior side, exterior side and rear lines, no higher than the lesser of 5 m or 1.5 storeys, and 1.5 m from other buildings and structures.
- Decks may project 1.5 m into front or exterior side setbacks and 3.0 m into rear setbacks. Zoning defines a deck as more than 0.6 m above grade.
- Sheds and bike lockers up to 1.25 m high and 3 m2, screened as the bylaw describes, may sit closer to the front.
- Setbacks, heights and coverage vary by zone and are not listed here for other zones. Ask Planning at 250-378-8615.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Logan Lake · Lytton · Kamloops · Princeton · Ashcroft · Peachland
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- City of Merritt Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 (PDF), 2026 consolidation (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Services, City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
- CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (PDF), Schedule E (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.