{"title":"Port Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Port Coquitlam","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca"},"short_answer":"In Port Coquitlam a building permit is required to build, add to, repair or roof over a deck, and for a detached garage, carport or shed over 100 square feet or considered a hazard. Even a small shed must meet the Zoning Bylaw size, height and setback rules.","aliases":["shed permit port coquitlam","deck permit poco","garage permit","carport permit","accessory building permit"],"cost":"Based on the value of construction; see the building permit fees answer.","how_long":"The City does not state a processing time; contact the Building Division.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Accessory Building Permit page (eApply link)","value":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/accessory-building-permit"},{"type":"online","label":"Decks Permit page","value":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/decks-permit"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building","value":"604-927-5444"},{"type":"email","label":"Building","value":"building@portcoquitlam.ca"}],"documents":["Completed building permit application and checklist (deck or accessory building form)","Site plan showing setbacks, which the City page says are measured to the overhang"],"forms":[{"title":"Guide for Building a Deck (PDF)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/guide-building-deck-residential-sfd-or-tfd-final-july-2017"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Port Coquitlam building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Port Coquitlam fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A building permit is required for a new or added detached accessory building (such as a garage or shed) over 100 square feet, or one considered a hazard, on land zoned single family (RS), two family (RD) or agricultural (A).","short":"Yes, if over 100 square feet","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Building Permit page","quotes":["A Building Permit is required when you wish to add to or construct a new detached accessory building that is over a 100 square feet or considered a hazard.","such as a garage or shed on property zoned Single Family (RS), Two Family (RD) or Agricultural (A)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A building permit is required to construct a deck, add onto an existing deck, repair a deck or put a roof cover over a deck (page covers RS, RD and A zones). It is not required for non-structural minor modifications. No height threshold is stated.","short":"Yes; no height threshold stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/decks-permit","title":"Decks Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Decks Permit page","quotes":["A building permit is required when you wish to construct a deck, add onto the existing deck, repair a deck or put a roof cover over deck.","A building permit is not required for non-structural minor modifications."]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Building Permits page","quotes":["Build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including carports, decks and pools"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"Yes. The City lists garages and carports among the structures that need a building permit. A detached garage over 100 square feet (or considered a hazard) goes through the Accessory Building Permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Building Permits page","quotes":["Build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including carports, decks and pools"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Building Permit page","quotes":["Building permits are required before you build, demolish, repair or alter most buildings, decks, mezzanines, retaining walls, garages, carports,","that is over a 100 square feet or considered a hazard"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"Detached accessory buildings: in A and RS zones combined area is limited to the lesser of 12% of the lot or 90 m². Depth up to 7.5 m. Height 3 m (flat roof or pitch under 4 in 12) up to 4.8 m (6 in 12 or more). At least 1.2 m from a lane or rear line, outside front and side setbacks, 1.5 m from the house if over 10 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III, s. 2.5 to 2.8","quotes":["must not exceed the lesser of 12% of the lot area or 90m2.","No detached accessory residential building or structure shall have a building depth of more than 7.5m.","3m measured to the highest point of a flat roof or to the top of the peak for a","4.8m to the top of the peak of a pitched roof with a slope of 6 in 12 or more.","1.2m of any lane or rear property line excluding projections, eaves and gutters","with a floor area exceeding 10m2, within 1.5m of a principal building.","4.2m to the top of the peak of a pitched roof with a slope of 4 in 12 or more but","2.8.4 An interior or exterior side yard specified for the zone excluding projections,"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Building Permit page","quotes":["Note that setbacks for accessory buildings are measured from the property line to the overhang, not the property line to the exterior walls."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The bylaw (s. 2.8.1, 2.8.4) lets eaves and gutters project an extra 0.6 m into the setback, while the City page says setbacks are measured to the overhang, so the two are not consistent. Bylaw wins; check with Planning. Accessory buildings may not be used for habitation; a sink and toilet are allowed in A and RS zones, but no shower or bathtub (s. 2.3, 2.4)."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710; Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630 (Section III, s. 2)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Title page / Section III s. 2","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630","2. ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Port Coquitlam requires a building permit to construct, add onto, repair or put a roof cover over a deck. It also requires one for a new or added detached accessory building (such as a garage or shed) over 100 square feet, or one considered a hazard, on single family, two family or agricultural land. The City lists garages and carports among structures needing a permit; it states no separate size threshold for carports. A permit does not replace the Zoning Bylaw: setbacks and coverage still apply.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zoning and flood construction level on PoCoMAP.\n2. Design within the Zoning Bylaw limits below. If you cannot, ask Planning about a variance.\n3. Apply through eApply (accessory buildings) or submit the deck application and checklist to the Building Division.\n4. Book inspections through MyPortCoquitlam, including the final inspection.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Decks: non-structural minor modifications do not need a permit. No height threshold is stated.\n- In A and RS zones, under [Zoning Bylaw 3630](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf) the combined area of detached accessory buildings is limited to the lesser of 12% of the lot or 90 m². Depth up to 7.5 m. Height 3 m (flat roof or pitch under 4 in 12) up to 4.8 m (6 in 12 or more).\n- Place them at least 1.2 m from a lane or rear line, outside front and side setbacks, and 1.5 m from the house if over 10 m².\n- No living in an accessory building; a sink and toilet are allowed in A and RS zones, but no shower or bathtub.\n- Eaves: the City page says setbacks are measured to the overhang, but the bylaw lets eaves and gutters project an extra 0.6 m. Confirm with Planning.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/decks-permit","title":"Decks Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/accessory-building-permit","title":"Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}