Port Edward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
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.
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.Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1, 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Building Permit Application form, Online application form; Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording2. Type of Construction Single Family Dwelling Two Family Dwelling Mobile Detached Garage a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure; |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 3, Accessory Buildings; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 5, R1 Zone · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAccessory 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 The maximum Lot Coverage shall be 40% of the Lot Area. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 716; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020Building Bylaw No. 716, Title page; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBuilding Bylaw No. 716 Bylaw No. 713, 2020 |
How it works
Under the District of Port Edward's Building Bylaw No. 716, 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, 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
The same question in other places
Prince Rupert · Kitimat · Terrace · Masset · Daajing Giids · Hazelton
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF), District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF), District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Permit Application form, District of Port Edward (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. How answers are checked.