{"title":"North Vancouver 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/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","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 North Vancouver","url":"https://www.cnv.org"},"short_answer":"In the City of North Vancouver a building permit is required for any structure over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.), which covers most garages and carports. A smaller shed needs no building permit but must meet zoning rules. The City states no deck height threshold.","aliases":["shed permit north vancouver","deck permit cnv","garage permit city of north vancouver","accessory building rules"],"cost":"Based on the value of the work. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"email","label":"Submit applications","value":"permitapplications@cnv.org"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Division","value":"604-982-WORK (9675)"},{"type":"email","label":"Ground Oriented zone inquiries","value":"permitinquiry@cnv.org"}],"documents":["Building Permit Application Form and the Deck or New Garage and Carport Checklist","Site plan showing setbacks to property lines"],"forms":[{"title":"Deck Checklist (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Building-Permit-Application-Forms/Building-Permit-Application-Checklist-Decks.pdf"},{"title":"New Garage and Carport Checklist (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Building-Permit-Application-Forms/Building-Permit-Application-Checklist-New-Garage-and-Carport.pdf"},{"title":"Accessory Building Handout (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/building-permit/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"North Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"North Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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 permit is required for a structure over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.); a smaller one needs no building permit but must still meet zoning and other City bylaws. A permanently installed shipping container or storage pod counts as an accessory building.","short":"Yes, if over 10 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf","title":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1","section":"s. 8.1.1(a)","quotes":["except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf","title":"Accessory Building Handout (PDF)","section":"handout p. 1","quotes":["A Building Permit is required for any permanent structure over 108 sq.ft. in size.","do not require a Building Permit but must comply with City bylaws."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"No deck height threshold is stated. The City has a building permit checklist for new decks and deck alterations; the bylaw's only size exemption is for structures of 10 m² or less.","short":"Yes; no height threshold stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Residential-Renovation-Additions-Non-Strata","title":"Residential Renovation and Addition Non-Strata, City of North Vancouver","section":"Residential Renovation and Addition page","quotes":["You'll also find information on new decks and alterations to existing decks.","Deck Checklist"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf","title":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1","section":"s. 8.1.1(a)","quotes":["except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"Yes: a building permit is required for any structure over 10 m² (s. 8.1.1(a)), which covers most garages and carports. A new garage or carport has its own checklist; a garage for a new dwelling is part of the main permit. In the Ground Oriented zone an application form is required for a deck, garage or carport.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/New-Garages-Carports","title":"New Garages and Carports, City of North Vancouver","section":"New Garages & Carports page","quotes":["Building permit information and forms related to the construction of new garages and carports.","If you're building a new dwelling unit, the garage is included in the main dwelling permit application."]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Ground-Oriented-Housing","title":"Ground Oriented Housing, City of North Vancouver","section":"Ground Oriented Housing page","quotes":["Construction of a deck, garage or carport","you must complete an application form for the following:"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf","title":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1","section":"s. 8.1.1(a)","quotes":["or other structure, except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"One- and two-unit zones (s. 514): total accessory floor area at most the lesser of 0.1 × lot area or 55.7 m² (two-unit lots 0.13 × or 81.8 m²; 10 m² on a lot with a coach house); height 3.658 m; behind the front face; setbacks 1.22 m rear, 0.61 m interior side, 3.048 m exterior side and from the house.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B","section":"s. 514(1),(2),(4),(5)","quotes":["shall not exceed the lesser of 0.1 times the Lot Area or 55.7 square metres (600 square","shall not exceed the lesser of 0.13 times the Lot Area or 81.8 square metres (880","shall not exceed a maximum height of 3.658 metres (12 feet) from the","shall be sited behind the front face of the Principal Building","1.22 metres (4 feet) from the Rear Lot Line;","0.61 metres (2 feet) from the Interior Side Lot Line.","3.048 metres (10 feet) from an Exterior Side Lot Line;","on any Lot with an Accessory Coach House Use, shall not exceed","3.048 metres (10 feet) from a Principal Building on the Lot;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (permit, s. 8.1.1); Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (accessory buildings s. 514; Ground Oriented zone Part 5B)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf","title":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1","section":"title page","quotes":["Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B","section":"title page","quotes":["CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – MARCH 2, 2026","SIZE, SHAPE AND SITING OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS"]}],"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\nUnder the City of North Vancouver's [Construction Regulation Bylaw](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf), a permit is required for any structure over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.). A smaller structure needs no building permit but must still meet the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf) and other City bylaws. A permanently installed shipping container or storage pod counts as an accessory building.\n\nThe City has a checklist for new decks and deck alterations but states no deck height threshold. A new garage or carport has its own checklist; a garage for a new house is part of the main permit.\n\nRules depend on your zone. In the Ground Oriented zone (adopted December 8, 2025) an application form is required for a deck, garage or carport, and the garage page says it does not apply there. Contact permitinquiry@cnv.org or 604-982-WORK (9675).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone in CityMap.\n2. Download the checklist and application form.\n3. Email the package to permitapplications@cnv.org.\n\n## Good to know\n\nIn RS-1, RS-2, RT-1 and RT-2 zones (Zoning Bylaw s. 514):\n\n- Total accessory floor area: the lesser of 0.1 times the lot area or 55.7 m². Two-unit lots: 0.13 times or 81.8 m². On a lot with a coach house: 10 m².\n- Height 3.658 m, behind the front face of the house.\n- Setbacks: 1.22 m from the rear lot line, 0.61 m from an interior side line, 3.048 m from an exterior side line and from the house.\n- Buildings over 10 m² go in the rear 25% of the lot depth and 4.57 m from a corner intersection.\n\nThe Ground Oriented zone sets building setbacks of 3.0 m front, 1.5 m rear and 1.2 m interior side.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/New-Garages-Carports","title":"New Garages and Carports, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Residential-Renovation-Additions-Non-Strata","title":"Residential Renovation and Addition Non-Strata, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Ground-Oriented-Housing","title":"Ground Oriented Housing, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf","title":"Accessory Building Handout (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf","title":"Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B","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/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}