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

# Pitt Meadows permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Pitt Meadows you need a building permit for a deck, a carport, a detached garage, and any shed or accessory building larger than 10 m² (100 sq. ft.). No document says a smaller shed is exempt, and zoning limits still apply. Ask the Building Division if unsure.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Pitt Meadows, https://www.pittmeadows.ca)  
**Cost:** 1.0% of construction value for residential work, including garages, carports and patios; minimum permit fee $100 (Building Bylaw 2131, Schedule 1).  
**Where:**
- Email: Building Division, building@pittmeadows.ca
- Phone: Building Division, 604-465-2428
- In person: City Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** A building permit is needed for a shed or other accessory building larger than 10 m² (100 sq. ft.).
  - Source: [Building and Renovating, When you need a permit?](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating)
  - Official wording: "Building a detached garage, accessory building, or shed larger than 100 sq. ft."
  - Source: [A Guide to Building Permits, A Guide to Building Permits, p. 1](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-02/Information_Sheet_-_Building_-_Building_Permit-v5.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Build any kind of structure larger than 10 m2 (100 ft2);"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** The City lists building a deck among the projects that usually need a building permit. No height threshold is stated.
  - Source: [Building and Renovating, When you need a permit?](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating)
  - Official wording: "- Building an addition - Building a deck - Building a detached garage, accessory building, or shed larger than 100 sq. ft."
  - Source: [How to Apply for a Building Permit, intro](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating/how-apply-building-permit)
  - Official wording: "Building permits are required before you build, demolish, repair or alter most buildings, decks, mezzanines"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** Yes. A building permit is needed for a detached garage, and for building a garage or carport generally. Enclosing a carport to create a garage or living space also needs a permit.
  - Source: [Building and Renovating, When you need a permit?](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating)
  - Official wording: "Building a detached garage, accessory building, or shed larger than 100 sq. ft."
  - Source: [How to Apply for a Building Permit, intro](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating/how-apply-building-permit)
  - Official wording: "decks, mezzanines, retaining walls, garages, carports, secondary suites"
  - Source: [A Guide to Building Permits, A Guide to Building Permits, p. 1](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-02/Information_Sheet_-_Building_-_Building_Permit-v5.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Enclose a carport to create a garage or living space;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Accessory buildings: two per lot; 4 m high (9 m in A and RR zones); up to 46 sq m coverage (100 sq m in A and RR). Not closer to a front or exterior side lot line than the house setback. Detached ones of 10 sq m or more go in the rear yard, 1.2 m from rear and side lines (3 m from a road). Under 10 sq m and 2 m high in the rear yard: no setback. 2 m from other buildings.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version (PDF, section 4.13), s. 4.13 b), d), e), f), i)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "two per lot, unless otherwise specified in the zone." … "Accessory buildings and structures must not exceed a height of 4 m and must be sited not" … "The lot coverage of an accessory building shall not exceed 46 sq m except in the A and RR" … "Detached accessory buildings of 10 sq m or more must be located within the rear yard but" … "no closer than 1.2 m from the rear and side lot lines, except 3 m from a lot line abutting" … "There is no lot line setback requirement for an accessory building that is located in the rear" … "less than the required setback for the principal building from a front or exterior side lot line" … "The minimum horizontal clearance between all buildings on a lot is 2 m."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 2131, 2003; Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 (s. 4.13, accessory buildings).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2131, 2003 - Consolidated Version, title](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Building-Bylaw-No-2131%2C-2003-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2131, 2003"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version (PDF, section 4.13), s. 4.13](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Residential and Accessory Farm Residential Buildings and Structures"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Pitt Meadows lists a deck, a garage or carport, a detached garage, and enclosing a carport to make a garage or living space among the projects that need a building permit. A shed or other accessory building needs one if it is larger than 10 m² (100 sq. ft.). No document states in so many words that a smaller shed is exempt, and zoning rules apply either way. No height threshold is stated for decks. Zoning is separate: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf), section 4.13, controls size and placement.

## Steps

1. Look up your zone and setbacks on Meadows Mapview.
2. Check the zoning limits below.
3. Fill in the Building Permit Application Form and the Accessory Building Application Checklist.
4. Email building@pittmeadows.ca or bring the package to City Hall.
5. Book inspections through the Building Division.

## Good to know

- Zoning (section 4.13): two accessory buildings per lot; up to 4 m high (9 m in the A and RR zones); up to 46 sq m of coverage (100 sq m in A and RR).
- An accessory building may not sit closer to a front or exterior side lot line than the house setback. Detached ones of 10 sq m or more go in the rear yard, 1.2 m from rear and side lot lines (3 m from a road), and 2 m from other buildings.
- A building under 10 sq m and 2 m high in the rear yard needs no setback from lot lines.
- A bylaw notice for an unlawful accessory building size or setback is $80 if paid within 14 days, $100 after.
- Shipping containers have their own City guide.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application Form and the Accessory Building Application Checklist
- Site plan showing setbacks, and drawings

## Official forms and pages

- [Residential Permits (checklists)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating/residential-permits)
- [Accessory Building Application Checklist (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2023-06/DM182215%20Accessory_Building_Checklist.pdf)
- [Guide to Shipping Containers (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-02/Guide-to-Shipping-Containers.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Pitt Meadows building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/building-permit.md)
- [Pitt Meadows building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Pitt Meadows fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/fence-rules.md)
- [Pitt Meadows zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Pitt Meadows secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/secondary-suite.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)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2439, 2009 (consolidated, PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-No-2439%2C-2009-Consolidated-Version.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Renovating, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Permits, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating/residential-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version (PDF, section 4.13)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [A Guide to Building Permits, City of Pitt Meadows (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-02/Information_Sheet_-_Building_-_Building_Permit-v5.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [How to Apply for a Building Permit, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/building-and-renovating/how-apply-building-permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2131, 2003 - Consolidated Version (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Building-Bylaw-No-2131%2C-2003-Consolidated-Version.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 Pitt Meadows. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/deck-shed-garage-permit/_