Nanaimo permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
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.
Key facts
| Sheds | A building permit is required for a new shed or other standalone accessory building over 10 m² (107.64 ft²).Accessory Building Permit; Application for a Residential Building Permit, When do I need a building permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA building permit is required when you are constructing a new accessory building. detached garages, sheds, and other standalone buildings over 10m² (107.64 ft²) any detached building over 107.64 ft² / 10 m² |
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| Decks | 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.Single/Two Family Dwelling Alteration Permit, Building a deck · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA 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, |
| Garages and carports | A new detached garage over 10 m² (107.64 ft²) needs a building permit.Accessory Building Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdetached garages, sheds, and other standalone buildings over 10m² (107.64 ft²) |
| Zoning limits | 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses, s. 6.6.2 to 6.6.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessory 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 |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224; Zoning Bylaw No. 4500, s. 6.6 (Accessory Uses - Buildings and Structures)Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05), s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 6.6 ACCESSORY USES - BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES |
How it works
The 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.
Decks
A 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:
- It is not the main entrance to your home.
- It is no more than 2 feet above grade within 4 feet of its edge.
- It has no roof.
- It is not attached to the dwelling.
No permit is needed for minor non-structural repairs to a deck approved under a permit, or to replace railings that were approved.
Steps
- Check zoning in Zoning Bylaw 4500 section 6.6 for your zone.
- 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.
- Book inspections once the permit is issued.
Good to know
- 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.
- 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.
- Fabric-covered sheds are allowed under the Zoning Bylaw. Shipping containers are handled by the City's Locate Permit page.
- Covenants, watercourse setbacks, rights-of-way and property-line distances can affect where a deck may go whether or not a permit is needed.
What you'll need
- Signed building permit application
- Appointment of Agent form, if you are not the registered owner
- Site plan and drawings
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Lantzville · Ladysmith · Parksville · Sechelt · Qualicum Beach · Lake Cowichan
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Accessory Building Permit, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
- Single/Two Family Dwelling Alteration Permit, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
- Application for a Residential Building Permit, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.6 Accessory Uses (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01) (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.