North Cowichan permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in North Cowichan?
Short answer
In North Cowichan a one-storey shed or accessory building of 10 m² or less needs no building permit. A deck needs one unless it is on grade and under 0.61 m (2 ft) high. A detached garage or larger accessory building needs a permit. Zoning setbacks apply either way.
Key facts
| Sheds | No building permit for a one-storey accessory building of 10 m² (107 sq ft) or less (not counting roof overhang); zoning setbacks still apply. Kits, packages and pre-assembled structures larger than 10 m² need a permit. Fabric-covered seasonal shelters up to 50 m² are also exempt.When a Building Permit Is Not Required, handout page 1; Detached Garage / Accessory Building Permit, Step 2: Kits, packages and pre-assembled structures · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA one storey accessory building no more than 107 square feet / 10 square metres Fabric covered seasonal shelters used within the limitations of the manufacturer with a floor area up to 50 square metres / 540 square feet. Permits are required for kits, packages and pre-assembled structures larger than 10 sq m. (107 sq ft). |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck needs a building permit unless it is on grade and less than 0.61 m (2 ft) high; only those decks are excluded from 'structure' in the Building Bylaw. Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply. The Municipality has a Deck Permit application checklist.Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172, s. 3 "structure"; Deck Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingexcludes concrete slabs on finished or natural grade, and decks on grade which are less than 0.61 m (2') in height. excludes concrete slabs on finished or natural grade, and decks on grade which are less than 0.61 m (2') in height. [BL3892] Deck permit application checklist Include footing plan, floor plan, cross-section plan |
| Garages and carports | A detached garage or accessory building (over 10 m²) needs a building permit: planning compliance form, site plan, drawings, title search. A Highway Access Permit is also required if a new driveway access is needed. Carports are not mentioned separately.Detached Garage / Accessory Building Permit, Steps 1-2; Building Services, Projects requiring permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Highway Access Permit is required if a new driveway access is required to serve the new detached garage / shed. You must submit a completed Planning Compliance form with every building permit application. Detached garage & accessory buildings |
| Zoning limits | Set by zone. In R3, accessory buildings: at least 5.0 m from the front lot line, 1.0 m from side lot lines and 1.5 m from the rear; maximum height 5.0 m. In any zone, no accessory building within 1.22 m of the principal building.Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), R3 zone s. 58(6), (7); s. 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe minimum permitted setbacks for the R3 zone are as follows: Yard, Rear, 1.5 m (4.92') [BL3323] The maximum permitted building heights for the R3 zone are as follows: No accessory building shall be located within 1.22 m (4') of any principal building |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 3172 and Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950.Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172, cover; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw 2003 Bylaw 3172 ZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950 |
How it works
In North Cowichan, permits for decks, sheds and garages come under the Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172. Separately, the Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 sets where you can build.
- Shed or accessory building: no building permit for a one-storey building of 10 m² (107 sq ft) or less, not counting roof overhang. Kits, packages and pre-assembled structures larger than 10 m² need a permit. Fabric-covered seasonal shelters up to 50 m² are also exempt.
- Deck: needs a building permit unless it is on grade and less than 0.61 m (2 ft) high.
- Garage or larger accessory building: needs a building permit (planning compliance form, site plan, drawings, title search). A Highway Access Permit is also required if you need a new driveway access.
- Carport: the pages we read do not mention carports separately; ask Building Services.
Steps
- Look up your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and check setbacks and lot coverage.
- Use the Municipality's deck or garage checklist and email the application to building@northcowichan.ca.
- Pay the fee when the fee slip arrives, then book inspections.
Good to know
- Zoning rules apply even when no permit is needed. They are set by zone. In the R3 zone, for example, accessory buildings must be at least 5.0 m from the front lot line, 1.0 m from side lot lines and 1.5 m from the rear, and no higher than 5.0 m. In any zone, an accessory building cannot be within 1.22 m of the principal building.
- A garage with plumbing, gas or electrical connections needs electrical and gas permits from Technical Safety BC.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Detached Garage / Accessory Building Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- Deck Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Services, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- When a Building Permit Is Not Required (PDF), Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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.