Nelson permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In Nelson, decks and new roofs over decks need a building permit. A shed, garage or carport needs one too, unless it is under 3 m high and under 10 square metres. Zoning rules on height, setbacks and coverage apply even when no permit is needed.
Key facts
| Sheds | A permit is needed for any new building over 10 m² (108 sq ft). The Building Bylaw exempts only an accessory building less than 3 m high and with a floor area less than 10 m²; a smaller building that poses a risk or hazard still needs a permit.Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3(b); Building Permits, City page, Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan accessory building less than 3 metres in height and with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; Construction of any new building over 10 square metres (108 square feet) Construction of any new building under 10 square metres that poses a risk or hazard |
|---|---|
| Decks | Yes. The City lists 'construction of decks and new roofs over decks' and 'construction, structural alterations or repairs to exterior decks above ground level' as needing a building permit. No height threshold is stated.Building Permits, City page, Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruction of decks and new roofs over decks Construction, structural alterations or repairs to exterior decks above ground level |
| Garages and carports | Not named separately. The Zoning Bylaw lists a garage and a carport as typical accessory buildings, so the same rule applies: a permit is needed unless the building is under 3 m high and under 10 m² floor area; any new building over 10 m² needs one.Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026, Part 1, definitions; Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3(b); Building Permits, City page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinginclude garage, carport, and greenhouses, but an accessory building less than 3 metres in height and with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; Construction of any new building over 10 square metres (108 square feet) |
| Zoning limits | Zone-specific. In the R1 zone: accessory buildings may be up to 4.5 m high; a carport or other accessory building must be at least 1.5 m from the rear lot line; carports 1.5 m and other accessory buildings 3 m from the front lot line; at least 1 m from the house (a carport may attach on one side); lot coverage 35% for 1 dwelling unit.Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026, Part 3, s. 14; Part 10, R1 zone ss. 9, 11, 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAn accessory building must be completely detached from the principal building, with a distance of at least 1 m from the principal building. Accessory Building 4.5 m Front lot line 3m 1.5 m 3m Maximum permitted lot coverage 35% 40% 45% |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (s. 4.3 exemptions) and Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (Part 3, s. 12 to 14, and the zone's own regulations)Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026, adoption page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Corporation of the City of Nelson Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 This Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026” |
How it works
Under the Building Bylaw 3456, the only accessory building exempt from a permit is one under 3 m high with a floor area under 10 m². The City's Building Permits page says any new building over 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs a permit, and so does a smaller one that poses a risk or hazard. It also lists decks, new roofs over decks, and exterior decks above ground level. It states no deck height threshold. The zoning bylaw names garages and carports as accessory buildings, so the same rule applies.
Zoning Bylaw 3652 applies whether or not you need a permit. Limits are set zone by zone, so check your zone. Decks and structures over 0.6 m above grade count toward lot coverage.
Steps
- Find your zone and its height, setback and coverage limits (see the zoning-lookup answer).
- Download the Decks and Porches or Detached Accessory Buildings checklist.
- Submit the building permit application, checklist items and fee to Development Services on the second floor of City Hall.
Good to know
- Example from the R1 zone: accessory buildings up to 4.5 m high; carports 1.5 m and other accessory buildings 3 m from the front lot line; at least 1.5 m from the rear lot line; at least 1 m from the house (a carport may attach on one side); lot coverage 35% for one dwelling unit. Other zones differ.
- R1 side setbacks for accessory buildings are 1.2 m if the front lot line is wider than 9.2 m, otherwise 1 m.
What you'll need
- Building permit application with the Decks and Porches checklist, or the Residential Detached Accessory Buildings checklist
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Castlegar · Slocan · Salmo · Fruitvale · Montrose · Trail
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, 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.