Oliver permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Oliver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Oliver, a garage or any structure that supports a roof, including a covered deck or patio, needs a building permit. The Town does not say plainly whether sheds of 10 m² or less are exempt, and gives no rule for uncovered decks, so ask first.

Key facts

Sheds	A permit is needed for new construction of a building or structure over 10 m² gross floor area or one storey, and for any structure that supports a roof (gazebo, shade structure, garage). The Town does not say small sheds are exempt; ask. Accessory buildings up to 10 m² may go anywhere on a lot except the front setback.Building Permit Hub, Does My Project Require A Permit; Accessory Structures · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording New construction of a building or structure exceeding 10 square metres in gross floor area or one storey in height Small accessory buildings or structures up to 10 square metres may be placed anywhere on a lot Constructing any structure that supports a roof such as a gazebo, shade structure, garage, covered deck or patio, etc.
Decks	A covered deck or patio (any structure that supports a roof) needs a building permit. The page gives no height threshold for an uncovered deck.Building Permit Hub, Does My Project Require A Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Constructing any structure that supports a roof such as a gazebo, shade structure, garage, covered deck or patio
Garages and carports	A garage needs a building permit (any structure that supports a roof, such as a garage). The page does not mention carports by name.Building Permit Hub, Does My Project Require A Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Constructing any structure that supports a roof such as a gazebo, shade structure, garage, covered deck or patio
Zoning limits	In residential zones all accessory buildings and structures combined may not cover more than 90 m² of the property. Trellises, pergolas, play structures, fences and retaining walls are allowed anywhere on a lot (subject to fence and wall rules). In RS1 and RSM zones fabric-covered structures count as accessory buildings and only one is permitted.Building Permit Hub, Accessory Structures · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording all accessory buildings and structures combined may not cover more than 90 square metres of the property fabric‑covered structures are treated the same as accessory buildings, and only one is permitted
Bylaw	Building Bylaw 1404 (permits); Zoning Bylaw 1423 (zoning).Building Permit Application Package, Page 1; Building Permit Hub, Find Out What Uses Your Property Is Zoned For · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Bylaw 1404 states that every owner must apply for and obtain a permit Town of Oliver Zoning Bylaw 1423

How it works

The Town of Oliver requires a building permit for new construction of a building or structure over 10 m² of gross floor area or over one storey, and for any structure that supports a roof, such as a gazebo, shade structure or garage. Building Bylaw 1404 is the permit bylaw; zoning rules in Zoning Bylaw 1423 also apply.

Shed: over 10 m² or one storey needs a permit. The Town does not say in plain words that smaller sheds need none, so ask.
Deck: a covered deck or patio needs a permit. The Town's pages give no height rule for an uncovered deck.
Garage: needs a permit.
Carport: the Town's page does not name carports. A carport has a roof, so ask.

Zoning limits

Accessory buildings up to 10 m² may go anywhere on a lot except the front setback.
In residential zones, all accessory buildings and structures combined may not cover more than 90 m² of the property.
Trellises, pergolas, play structures, fences and retaining walls are allowed anywhere on a lot, subject to fence and wall rules.
In RS1 and RSM zones, fabric-covered structures count as accessory buildings and only one is permitted.

Steps

Check your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
Ask Development Services (250-485-6250, planning@oliver.ca) whether your project needs a permit.
If it does, follow the building-permit steps.

Good to know

Height and setback limits for accessory buildings are in the zoning bylaw, which the Town's readable pages do not restate.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Osoyoos · Keremeos · Penticton · Summerland · Midway · Peachland

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

Sources

Building Permit Hub, Town of Oliver (read 2026-11-06)
Building Permit Application Package (PDF), Town of Oliver (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.