Port Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Port Coquitlam, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Sheds	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).Accessory Building Permit, Accessory Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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).
Decks	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.Decks Permit, Decks Permit page; Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. Build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including carports, decks and pools
Garages and carports	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.Building Permits, Building Permits page; Accessory Building Permit, Accessory Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including carports, decks and pools 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
Zoning limits	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.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).Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 2.5 to 2.8; Accessory Building Permit, Accessory Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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, Note that setbacks for accessory buildings are measured from the property line to the overhang, not the property line to the exterior walls.
Bylaw	Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710; Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630 (Section III, s. 2)Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 1; Zoning Bylaw 3630, Title page / Section III s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710 ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630 2. ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

How it works

The 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.

Steps

Check your zoning and flood construction level on PoCoMAP.
Design within the Zoning Bylaw limits below. If you cannot, ask Planning about a variance.
Apply through eApply (accessory buildings) or submit the deck application and checklist to the Building Division.
Book inspections through MyPortCoquitlam, including the final inspection.

Good to know

Decks: non-structural minor modifications do not need a permit. No height threshold is stated.
In A and RS zones, under Zoning Bylaw 3630 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).
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.
No living in an accessory building; a sink and toilet are allowed in A and RS zones, but no shower or bathtub.
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.

What you'll need

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

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · Burnaby

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

Sources

Decks Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Building Permits, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (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. How answers are checked.