---
title: North Vancouver permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-vancouver
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of North Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# North Vancouver permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

**Question:** Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of North Vancouver, https://www.cnv.org)  
**Cost:** Based on the value of the work. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**Where:**
- Email: Submit applications, permitapplications@cnv.org
- Phone: Building Division, 604-982-WORK (9675)
- Email: Ground Oriented zone inquiries, permitinquiry@cnv.org

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** 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.
  - Source: [Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390, s. 8.1.1, s. 8.1.1(a)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²"
  - Source: [Accessory Building Handout, handout p. 1](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential Renovation and Addition Non-Strata, Residential Renovation and Addition page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Residential-Renovation-Additions-Non-Strata)
  - Official wording: "You'll also find information on new decks and alterations to existing decks." … "Deck Checklist"
  - Source: [Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390, s. 8.1.1, s. 8.1.1(a)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** 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.
  - Source: [New Garages and Carports, New Garages & Carports page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/New-Garages-Carports)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Ground Oriented Housing, Ground Oriented Housing page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Ground-Oriented-Housing)
  - Official wording: "Construction of a deck, garage or carport" … "you must complete an application form for the following:"
  - Source: [Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390, s. 8.1.1, s. 8.1.1(a)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "or other structure, except a structure having an area not exceeding 10m²;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B, s. 514(1),(2),(4),(5)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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)
  - Source: [Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390, s. 8.1.1, title page](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B, title page](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – MARCH 2, 2026" … "SIZE, SHAPE AND SITING OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

The 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.

Rules 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).

## Steps

1. Check your zone in CityMap.
2. Download the checklist and application form.
3. Email the package to permitapplications@cnv.org.

## Good to know

In RS-1, RS-2, RT-1 and RT-2 zones (Zoning Bylaw s. 514):

- 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.
- Height 3.658 m, behind the front face of the house.
- 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.
- Buildings over 10 m² go in the rear 25% of the lot depth and 4.57 m from a corner intersection.

The Ground Oriented zone sets building setbacks of 3.0 m front, 1.5 m rear and 1.2 m interior side.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application Form and the Deck or New Garage and Carport Checklist
- Site plan showing setbacks to property lines

## Official forms and pages

- [Deck Checklist (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Building-Permit-Application-Forms/Building-Permit-Application-Checklist-Decks.pdf)
- [New Garage and Carport Checklist (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Building-Permit-Application-Forms/Building-Permit-Application-Checklist-New-Garage-and-Carport.pdf)
- [Accessory Building Handout (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf)

## Related questions

- [North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/building-permit.md)
- [North Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/fence-rules.md)
- [North Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [New Garages and Carports, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/New-Garages-Carports) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Renovation and Addition Non-Strata, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Residential-Renovation-Additions-Non-Strata) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ground Oriented Housing, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Permits-Inspections/Building-Permits/Ground-Oriented-Housing) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Accessory Building Handout (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Construction Regulation Bylaw, 2003, No. 7390 (PDF), s. 8.1.1](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/7390-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 514, Part 5B](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/deck-shed-garage-permit/_