---
title: Port Edward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-edward
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Port Edward
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Port Edward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Port Edward a building permit is needed to construct a building or structure unless the BC Building Code exempts it. The Building Bylaw sets no size threshold for sheds or decks, so ask before you build. A garage needs a permit, and the Zoning Bylaw's accessory building rules apply either way.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Port Edward, https://www.portedward.ca)  
**Cost:** See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** No processing time is stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City of Prince Rupert (building permit services for the District), 250-627-0946
- Phone: District of Port Edward office, 250-628-3667

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** The Building Bylaw sets no size threshold: a building permit is needed to construct a building or structure unless the BC Building Code (Division A, s. 1.1) exempts it. The Zoning Bylaw's accessory building rules apply either way.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1, 6.2](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;" … "This bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Division A Section 1.1 of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Decks:** Not confirmed. The Building Bylaw does not state a deck height below which no permit is needed.
- **Garages and carports:** A garage is a building, so a building permit is needed (the District's online form lists "Detached Garage" as a type of construction), unless the BC Building Code exempts it. A carport is not mentioned in the Building Bylaw.
  - Source: [Building Permit Application form, Online application form](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "2. Type of Construction Single Family Dwelling Two Family Dwelling Mobile Detached Garage"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Zoning limits:** Residential zones: accessory buildings up to 6 m high; not in required front or side setbacks; may be in the rear setback if at least 1.5 m from the rear lot line. R1 and R2 lot coverage is 40%. A garage attached to the house counts as part of the house.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 3, Accessory Buildings](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Buildings shall not be permitted in any required front or side" … "not less than 1.5 metres from the Rear Lot Line in a residential Zone." … "Accessory Buildings shall be limited on height to a maximum of 6 metres." … "is attached to the Principal Buildings, it is to be considered a part of the Principal Building"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 5, R1 Zone](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The maximum Lot Coverage shall be 40% of the Lot Area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 716; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, Title page](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 716"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Title page](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 713, 2020"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the District of Port Edward's [Building Bylaw No. 716](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf), a building permit is needed to construct a building or structure unless the BC Building Code (Division A, s. 1.1) exempts it. The bylaw does not include the Code's exemption text, so it does not state a shed size or deck height below which no permit is needed. Ask the District office or the City of Prince Rupert, which handles permits for the District.

A garage is a building, so it needs a building permit (the District's online form lists "Detached Garage" as a type of construction), unless the Code exempts it. A carport is not mentioned in the bylaw.

## Good to know

- Zoning rules apply even where no permit is needed. In the [Zoning Bylaw No. 713](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf), residential-zone accessory buildings can be up to 6 m high, cannot sit in required front or side setbacks, and may be in the rear setback if at least 1.5 m from the rear lot line.
- In R1 and R2 zones, accessory buildings must be 4 m from the front lot line and 1.5 m from rear and side lot lines (3 m from the exterior side yard on a corner lot). R1 and R2 lot coverage is 40%.
- In the A2 zone, combined accessory building area is up to 300 m2 and no single one may be over 200 m2.
- No accessory building is allowed before the principal building. A garage attached to the house counts as part of the house.
- Rules differ in other zones (see Table 3 of the Zoning Bylaw).

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF)](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF)](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
- [Building Permit Application form](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/building-permit-application)

## Related questions

- [Port Edward building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/building-permit.md)
- [Port Edward building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Edward zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Port Edward fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/fence-rules.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)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Kitimat](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Masset](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/masset/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Daajing Giids](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/daajing-giids/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF), District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF), District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Application form, District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/building-permit-application) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Port Edward. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/deck-shed-garage-permit/_