Northern Rockies permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Northern Rockies?

Northern Rockies, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality a shed or shop over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs a Simple Building Permit, and the website says a deck over 10 m² or over 600 mm (24 in.) above grade does too. Garages and carports are not named; the general rules apply.

Key facts

Sheds	A shed or shop over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs a Simple Building Permit; so does one on a slab or grade foundation. Sealed engineered drawings are required if the foundation is 55 m² or larger. A structure under 10 m² not attached to a building needs no permit.Building and Development Permits, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Building a Shed or Shop?; When do I need a Building Permit?, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, When do I need a Building Permit? (municipal guide) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Is it over 10 metres squared? Considering a slab or grade foundation? If the foundation 55 metre squared or larger sealed engineered drawings will be required. Build an accessory structure greater than 10 sq. m. (108 sq. ft.) Structures less than 10 sq. m. (108 sq. ft.) not attached to a building
Decks	The website says a Simple Building Permit is needed for a deck over 10 m² or over 600 mm (24 in.) above grade. The Building Bylaw (Inspection Zone 1) exempts roofless open decks under 600 mm above grade at a single-family home, so ask the Building Inspector about low, large decks.Sources differ: Deck wording in the guide says 'and/or'; the website says either condition triggers a permit.Building and Development Permits, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Building a Deck?; When do I need a Building Permit?, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, When do I need a Building Permit? (municipal guide); Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy), s. 5(3)(iii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Is it over 10 metres squared? Is it over 2 feet off the ground? If you answered yes to either of these you will need a Simple Building Permit. Build decks over 10 sq. m. (108 sq. ft.) and/or over 600 mm (24 in.) above detached roofless open decks, the use of which is ancillary to that are less than 600 mm above grade to the top of the floor system;
Garages and carports	Garages and carports are not named. The general rules apply: a permit is needed for any new building, and for any accessory structure over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.).When do I need a Building Permit?, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, When do I need a Building Permit? (municipal guide); Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy), s. 9(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Build an accessory structure greater than 10 sq. m. (108 sq. ft.) Build any new residential, commercial institutional or industrial building and a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building
Zoning limits	Accessory buildings may not sit in a required yard or in front of the principal building (fences excepted) and must be at least 2.0 m from it. In the RS-1 zone: two accessory buildings, combined 90 m² or 10% of the parcel, whichever is less, 6.0 m high at most, set back 1.5 m (rear, interior side) and 3.0 m (exterior side).Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), ss. 3.7.2, 3.7.5; Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), s. 6.1.5 (RS-1 zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording no Accessory Buildings or Structures shall be sited within any required Yard Setback or in front of, or forward of, the Principal Building, with the exception of fences No Accessory Building or Structure shall be located closer than 2.0m from any Principal Combined total of 90sq.m 10% of the Parcel Area, whichever is less. Two (2) Accessory Buildings per Parcel Combined total of 90sq.m 10% of the Parcel Area, whichever is less. Minimum Exterior Side Yard Setback: .......... 3.0m Minimum Interior Side Yard Setback: ........... 1.5m Minimum Rear Yard Setback: ....................... 1.5m Maximum Building Height: ........................... 6.0m
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015; Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016 (Townsite), ss. 3.7 and 6; Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 137, 2017Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy), Title page; Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), Title page; Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 137, 2017, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016 Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 137, 2017

How it works

Rules come from the Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 and the Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016 (Townsite). Rural parcels are covered by the Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 137, 2017.

Shed or shop: over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs a Simple Building Permit, as does one on a slab or grade foundation. Sealed engineered drawings are required if the foundation is 55 m² or larger. A structure under 10 m² that is not attached to a building needs no permit, but zoning rules still apply.
Deck: the website says a Simple Building Permit is needed for a deck over 10 m² or over 600 mm (24 in.) above grade.
Garage or carport: not named. A permit is needed for any new building, and for any accessory structure over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.).

Good to know

The website and the bylaw differ on decks. The Building Bylaw (Inspection Zone 1) exempts roofless open decks under 600 mm above grade at a single-family home, so ask the Building Inspector about low, large decks.
Zoning: accessory buildings may not sit in a required yard or in front of the principal building (fences excepted) and must be at least 2.0 m from it.
In the RS-1 zone: two accessory buildings, combined 90 m² or 10% of the parcel, whichever is less, 6.0 m high at most, set back 1.5 m (rear and interior side) and 3.0 m (exterior side). Other zones have their own limits.
Call Regional Development and Planning at 250-774-2541 option 8.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Stewart · Hudson's Hope · Hazelton · Granisle · Mackenzie · Fort St. John

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Building and Development Permits, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy) (read 2026-11-08)
When do I need a Building Permit? (PDF), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy) (read 2026-11-08)
Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 137, 2017 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

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