Parksville permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In the City of Parksville a one-storey accessory building under 10 m² beside a single dwelling is outside the Building Bylaw, so a small shed needs no building permit. A larger building does. The bylaw sets no deck or garage size threshold, so ask the Building Department. Zoning setbacks still apply.
Key facts
| Sheds | A one-storey accessory building under 10 m² of floor area serving a single dwelling unit is outside the Building Bylaw, so it needs no building permit. A larger building is covered by the bylaw, which bars building without a permit.Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF), s. 3(b)(ii), s. 5(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA one storey building that is less than 10 m2 in floor area, accessory to a single dwelling unit start or continue constructing, altering, demolishing, reconstructing, relocating, removing or changing the occupancy of a building, structure, or work |
|---|---|
| Decks | None set. Parksville's Building Bylaw 1387 sets no deck height or size threshold.Read: Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF) |
| Garages and carports | Not confirmed. The bylaw does not name garages or carports. |
| Zoning limits | RS-1: accessory buildings up to 5.0 m high; setbacks 4.5 m front and exterior, 1.2 m rear, 0.6 m interior; lot coverage 33%; floor area ratio 0.60. RS-2 and RS-3: also 5.0 m, but 3.0 m exterior setback and 3.0 m from the principal building. Other zones differ.Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 202.2, 202.3, 202.6, 202.8 (RS-1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHeight of Accessory Buildings and Structures 5.0 m Accessory Buildings and Structures 4.5 m 1.2 m 4.5 m 0.6 m 202.6 Maximum Lot Coverage: 33% 202.8 Maximum Floor Area Ratio: 0.60 Accessory buildings and structures shall be located not less than 3.0 metres from any portion of the principal building. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387; Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1; Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 CITY OF PARKSVILLE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW NO. 2000 |
How it works
The City of Parksville's Building Bylaw 1387 does not apply to a one-storey building under 10 m² of floor area that is accessory to a single dwelling unit, so a small shed needs no building permit. A larger building is covered, and the bylaw bars building without a permit. The 10 m² exemption is only from the Building Bylaw; zoning setbacks and height still apply.
The bylaw sets no deck height or size threshold, and does not name garages or carports. The City's Building page lists example plans for a deck addition, an accessory building and a garage conversion.
Steps
- Check the zoning limits for your zone (see zoning-lookup). In RS-1, accessory buildings can be up to 5.0 m high, with setbacks of 4.5 m front and exterior, 1.2 m rear and 0.6 m interior, 33% lot coverage and a floor area ratio of 0.60.
- For a deck, garage or carport, or a shed of 10 m² or more, call Building (250 954-3065) or email building@parksville.ca with the size and height before you start.
- If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit answer.
Good to know
- In RS-2 and RS-3, accessory buildings are also up to 5.0 m high, with a 3.0 m exterior setback and at least 3.0 m from the principal building. Other zones differ.
- An accessory building permit carries a $500 refundable damage deposit.
- The Inspection Policy says decks and handrails must be installed where required before the final inspection.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Qualicum Beach · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Port Alberni · Sechelt · Ladysmith
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building, City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF), City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.