New Denver permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in New Denver?
Short answer
In New Denver, the Village building bylaw exempts buildings and structures under 9.33 m² and unroofed decks no higher than 600 mm above grade. A shed at 9.33 m² does not qualify for the size exemption. Check zoning separately.
Key facts
| Sheds | A shed with an area less than 9.33 m² qualifies for the Village size exemption. At exactly 9.33 m² the exemption does not apply.Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595, Section 5.2.2, buildings and structures · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording5.2 This Bylaw does not apply to 5.2.1 buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code except as expressly provided herein; 5.2.2 buildings or structures less than 9.33 square meters (100 sq. ft.). 5.2.3 retaining structures less than 1.5 meters (5 ft.) in height; 5.2.4 decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2 ft.); |
|---|---|
| Decks | An unroofed deck is exempt if its elevation above grade does not exceed 600 mm. The exemption includes exactly 600 mm.Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595, Section 5.2.4, unroofed decks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording5.2 This Bylaw does not apply to 5.2.1 buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code except as expressly provided herein; 5.2.2 buildings or structures less than 9.33 square meters (100 sq. ft.). 5.2.3 retaining structures less than 1.5 meters (5 ft.) in height; 5.2.4 decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2 ft.); |
| Garages and carports | For an accessory garage or carport the Village size exemption applies only below 9.33 m². The Village guide names garages and carports as examples.Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595, Building Bylaw section 5.2.2 and Village permit guide, accessory buildings; New Denver Building Permit Guide, Building Bylaw section 5.2.2 and Village permit guide, accessory buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording5.2 This Bylaw does not apply to 5.2.1 buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code except as expressly provided herein; 5.2.2 buildings or structures less than 9.33 square meters (100 sq. ft.). 5.2.3 retaining structures less than 1.5 meters (5 ft.) in height; 5.2.4 decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2 ft.); Construct a new home Construct a new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed with an area of 100 square feet or larger |
| Zoning limits | Build an accessory structure only after or at the same time as its principal building. An attached accessory structure must meet the principal building rules. In R1 and R2, a detached accessory building may have up to 75 m² of gross floor area.Zoning Bylaw No. 612, 2007, Zoning Bylaw No. 612, section 4.17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording4.17 Accessory Buildings and Structures .1 No accessory building, structure or use shall be permitted on any parcel unless the principal building to which the building, structure or use is an accessory has been erected or will be erected simultaneously with the accessory building, structure or use. .2 Where an accessory building or structure is attached to the principal building, it shall be considered part of the principal building and shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the Bylaw applicable to principal buildings. .3 In a R1 or R2 zone, an accessory building shall not exceed a gross floor area of 75 m2(800 sq. ft.). |
| Bylaw | Village of New Denver Building Bylaw No. 595, as amended.Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595, Title and section 5.2, exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingTHE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF NEW DENVER BYLAW NO. 595 & Amendments thereto A bylaw to regulate building in the Village of New Denver 5.2 This Bylaw does not apply to 5.2.1 buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code except as expressly provided herein; 5.2.2 buildings or structures less than 9.33 square meters (100 sq. ft.). 5.2.3 retaining structures less than 1.5 meters (5 ft.) in height; 5.2.4 decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2 ft.); 5.2.5 existing metal or masonry chimneys; |
How it works
Describe exactly what you are building. A storage shed, a roofed carport, an enclosed garage and an elevated or covered deck do different things, even when they have the same footprint. For an accessory garage or carport the Village size exemption applies only below 9.33 m². The Village guide names garages and carports as examples.
Steps
- Check your proposed structure against New Denver Building Permit Guide (PDF). Measure the footprint and height. For a deck, also record the height above ground and whether the work adds a roof or enclosure.
- Draw the structure in relation to the home, lot lines and other buildings. Compare the design with both the permit threshold and the rules for siting it on the lot.
Good to know
- An unroofed deck is exempt if its elevation above grade does not exceed 600 mm. The exemption includes exactly 600 mm.
- A shed with an area less than 9.33 m² qualifies for the Village size exemption. At exactly 9.33 m² the exemption does not apply.
- Build an accessory structure only after or at the same time as its principal building. An attached accessory structure must meet the principal building rules. In R1 and R2, a detached accessory building may have up to 75 m² of gross floor area.
- If you later connect the structure to the house, enclose it or change its intended use, ask the permit office about that revised design.
- Read the applicable provisions in Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595 (PDF) and Zoning Bylaw No. 612, 2007 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Silverton · Slocan · Kaslo · Nakusp · Nelson · Castlegar
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- New Denver Building Permit Guide (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Bylaws, Policies, Mapping - New Denver (read 2026-11-09)
- Consolidated Building Bylaw No. 595 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 612, 2007 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
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.