Penticton permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In Penticton a deck needs a City building permit if it is higher than 600 mm, attached to a building, or supports a roof that carries snow. A shed, garage or carport needs one if it is over 10 square metres (108 square feet). Enclosing a carport or converting a garage to living space also needs one.
Key facts
| Sheds | A permit is needed to build or demolish an accessory building over 10 m² (108 sq ft). Under 10 m² no building permit if it is not a hazard, has no plumbing or electrical, is not occupied more than 4 hours, is sited per zoning and is not in an environmentally or geotechnically sensitive area.Detached Buildings and Structures; When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025), Bulletin 13-01, s. 5; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 6.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA permit is required if you will be constructing or demolishing a structure greater than 10 sq. m. or 108 sq. ft, or changing the use of a structure. accessory buildings under 10 sq m that do not create a hazard (not being occupied more than 4 hours, no plumbing/electrical services, etc.) an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2, that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition |
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| Decks | A permit is needed for a deck higher than 600 mm (23.6 in) from the ground, attached to a building, or supporting a roof that carries snow load. Only an uncovered, unattached deck or patio under 600 mm from grade is exempt.Sources differ: The Exterior Renovations page says "an attached deck two feet or more above grade", which is narrower than the bylaw and bulletin (any attached deck needs a permit). Bylaw followed.When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025), Bulletin 13-01, s. 2; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 6.3(h); Exterior Renovations and Additions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingi) higher than 600 mm (23.6 inches), ii) attached to a building or supporting a roof which carries a snow decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade, which are not attached to a building and have no walls or roofs An attached deck two feet or more above grade or supporting a roof |
| Garages and carports | Yes. A detached garage or carport over 10 m² needs a building permit. Enclosing a carport or converting a garage to living space also needs one.Exterior Renovations and Additions, Building Permit Options; Detached Buildings and Structures; Building Permits, When are Permits Required? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA detached garage or carport A shed that is over 10 metres squared A permit is required if you will be constructing or demolishing a structure greater than 10 sq. m. or 108 sq. ft, or changing the use of a structure. Enclose your carport or change your garage to living space |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings must be behind the front face of the house; 10 m² or less may go anywhere behind it. In R4-L and R4-S: 4.5 m high, 1.2 m from side lot lines, 1.5 m from the rear, 75 m² total footprint; lot coverage (all buildings) 40% in R4-L, 50% in R4-S. Other zones differ.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), section 4.2 and zone sections, s. 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 10.1.2, 10.2.2; Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), section 4.2 and zone sections, s. 4.2.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany accessory building or structure shall be situated behind the front face of the principal building. with a building footprint of 10.0 m2 or less, may be erected anywhere on a lot, provided accessory building or structure 4.5 m accessory building or structure 1.2 m accessory building or structure 1.5 m accessory buildings: 75 m² Maximum lot coverage: 40% Maximum lot coverage: 50% the minimum required distance from the garage or carport to the back of the curb or sidewalk shall be 6.0 m. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (s. 6.3) and Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (s. 4.2 and zone sections).Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 6.3; Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), section 4.2 and zone sections, s. 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw does not apply to Accessory Buildings, Structures, Garages and Carports |
How it works
A permit is needed to build or demolish an accessory building over 10 m² (108 sq ft). The Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 exempts smaller buildings, and decks and patios under 600 mm. Zoning siting rules apply even when no permit is needed.
Good to know
- Deck: a permit is needed if it is higher than 600 mm (23.6 in) from the ground, attached to a building, or supports a roof that carries snow load. Only an uncovered, unattached deck or patio under 600 mm from grade is exempt. The Exterior Renovations page words the deck rule more narrowly (attached decks two feet or more above grade); follow the bylaw and confirm with the Building Department.
- Shed or workshop: a permit is needed over 10 m². Under 10 m², none if it is not a hazard, has no plumbing or electrical, is not occupied more than 4 hours, follows zoning and is not in an environmentally or geotechnically sensitive area. A roofed pergola or trellis over 10 m² needs a permit.
- Garage or carport: a detached one over 10 m² needs a permit. Enclosing a carport or converting a garage to living space also needs one.
- Zoning (R4-L and R4-S zones): accessory buildings must be behind the front face of the house, and 10 m² or less may go anywhere behind it. Limits are 4.5 m high, 1.2 m from side lot lines, 1.5 m from the rear and 75 m² total footprint. Other zones differ; check the Zoning Bylaw.
- A garage or carport entered from the front or exterior side yard must be 6.0 m from the back of the curb or sidewalk.
- Electrical and gas work is permitted by Technical Safety BC, not the City.
- Book a free pre-application meeting for complicated projects. Starting without a permit doubles the permit fee.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Detached Buildings and Structures, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
- Exterior Renovations and Additions, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
- When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-10-29)
- Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024) (PDF), City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), section 4.2 and zone sections (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Fees, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits, City of Penticton (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. How answers are checked.