{"title":"Nanaimo permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Nanaimo","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Nanaimo, a shed, garage or other detached building over 10 square metres (107.64 square feet) needs a building permit. A new deck needs one unless it is low, uncovered, not the main entrance and not attached to the house. The City's pages do not mention carports.","aliases":["shed permit nanaimo","garage permit nanaimo","deck permit nanaimo","carport permit nanaimo","accessory building nanaimo"],"cost":"Based on the value of construction; see the building permit fees answer. The minimum fee and first $1,000 of construction value is $105.","how_long":"The City's commitment is to process a complete residential application in three weeks.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Online Building Permit Application (eApply for non-dwelling accessory buildings)","value":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Inspections","value":"250-755-4429"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Inspections","value":"building.inspections@nanaimo.ca"}],"documents":["Signed building permit application","Appointment of Agent form, if you are not the registered owner","Site plan and drawings"],"forms":[{"title":"Accessory Building Permit page","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/accessory-building-permit"},{"title":"Alteration Permit page (decks)","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 4500 (PDF)","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF)","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Nanaimo building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Nanaimo building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Nanaimo fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Nanaimo secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A building permit is required for a new shed or other standalone accessory building over 10 m² (107.64 ft²).","short":"Yes, if over 10 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Nanaimo","section":"Accessory Building Permit","quotes":["A building permit is required when you are constructing a new accessory building.","detached garages, sheds, and other standalone buildings over 10m&sup2; (107.64 ft&sup2;)"]},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit","title":"Application for a Residential Building Permit, City of Nanaimo","section":"When do I need a building permit?","quotes":["any detached building over 107.64 ft&sup2; / 10 m&sup2;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A building permit is required to build a new deck, repair structural members, or rebuild a deck or its stairs. None is needed only if the deck is not the main entrance, is no more than 2 feet above grade within 4 feet of its edge, has no roof and is not attached to the dwelling.","short":"Yes, unless 2 feet or less above grade and no roof","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit","title":"Single/Two Family Dwelling Alteration Permit, City of Nanaimo","section":"Building a deck","quotes":["A building permit is required to build a new deck, repair existing structural members and to rebuild an existing deck and/or stairs.","the deck is not part of the principle entrance into your dwelling;","the deck is not more than two feet above grade within four feet of the edge of the deck;","the deck is not covered with a roof;","the deck is not attached to the dwelling; and,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"A new detached garage over 10 m² (107.64 ft²) needs a building permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Nanaimo","section":"Accessory Building Permit","quotes":["detached garages, sheds, and other standalone buildings over 10m&sup2; (107.64 ft&sup2;)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"Accessory buildings must be at least 1.2 m from other buildings and not in front, side or flanking setback areas. Rear setback is 1.5 m (1.0 m at a lane) in R1 to R7, R10, R14, AR1, AR2; 3.0 m elsewhere. Height is 4.5 m, 5.0 m or 5.5 m by roof pitch, or 7 m outside the required yard setback area. Floor area is 100 m² in total in those zones.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses","section":"s. 6.6.2 to 6.6.6","quotes":["Accessory buildings shall not be closer than 1.2m to any principal building or other accessory building","R1, R2, R3, R4, 1.5m 1.0m","All Other Zones 3.0m 1.5m","< 6:12 4.5m","≥ 6:12* 5.0m","≥ 8:12* 5.5m","The total combined Gross Floor Area of all accessory buildings on","the lot shall not exceed 100m2.","An accessory building shall not be permitted within the front yard, side yard, or flanking side yard setback","the maximum permitted height for the","is located outside of the required yard setback area for a principal"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224; Zoning Bylaw No. 4500, s. 6.6 (Accessory Uses - Buildings and Structures)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224"]},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses","section":"s. 6.6","quotes":["Zoning Bylaw No. 4500","6.6 ACCESSORY USES - BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Nanaimo requires a building permit for a new shed, garage or other standalone accessory building over 10 m² (107.64 sq ft). The City pages do not say what applies below 10 m², but zoning rules (setbacks, height) apply regardless. A new detached garage over 10 m² needs a permit. Carports are not mentioned on the City's pages, so ask Building Inspections. An attached garage is part of the dwelling and falls under the general rules for additions.\n\n## Decks\n\nA permit is required to build a new deck, repair structural members, or rebuild a deck or its stairs. A deck needs none only if all of these are true:\n\n- It is not the main entrance to your home.\n- It is no more than 2 feet above grade within 4 feet of its edge.\n- It has no roof.\n- It is not attached to the dwelling.\n\nNo permit is needed for minor non-structural repairs to a deck approved under a permit, or to replace railings that were approved.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check zoning in [Zoning Bylaw 4500](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf) section 6.6 for your zone.\n2. Apply online with the signed application, an Appointment of Agent form if needed, and plans. Non-dwelling accessory buildings use the City's eApply system.\n3. Book inspections once the permit is issued.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Accessory buildings must be at least 1.2 m from other buildings and not in the front, side or street-side setback areas. In R1 to R7, R10, R14, AR1 and AR2 the rear setback is 1.5 m (1.0 m at a lane), and total floor area is 100 m². Other zones have 3.0 m rear setbacks and other area limits.\n- Height is 4.5 m, 5.0 m or 5.5 m depending on roof pitch, or 7 m outside the required yard setback area.\n- Fabric-covered sheds are allowed under the Zoning Bylaw. Shipping containers are handled by the City's Locate Permit page.\n- Covenants, watercourse setbacks, rights-of-way and property-line distances can affect where a deck may go whether or not a permit is needed.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Nanaimo","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit","title":"Single/Two Family Dwelling Alteration Permit, City of Nanaimo","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit","title":"Application for a Residential Building Permit, City of Nanaimo","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}