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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Port Moody a new accessory building of 10 m² or more needs a building permit; under 10 m² it does not. The City lists decks as needing a permit, though its guide exempts decks under 600 mm above grade that are independently supported. Zoning rules apply either way; call 604-469-4534.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Moody, https://www.portmoody.ca)  
**Cost:** Based on the value of construction; see the building-permit-fees answer.  
**Where:**
- Online: Building permit application (eServices portal), https://eservices.portmoody.ca/onlineservices/eapply/Prospero/dashboard/Template/Welcome.aspx?TemplateName=BUILDING%20APPLICATION%20REQUEST
- Phone: Building Division, 604-469-4534
- Email: Building Permits, buildingpermits@portmoody.ca

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** An accessory building under 10 m² of floor area does not need a building permit. At 10 m² or more, a new accessory building needs one.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 5.3(b)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=506778)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;"
  - Source: [Applying for a Residential Building Permit, When do we require a permit?](https://media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/portmoody-014-ca/media/2gvlefh4/applying-for-residential-building-permit-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Constructing a new accessory building,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** Decks are listed as needing a building permit; the City's guide exempts patios and decks less than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade and independently supported.
  - Source: [Building and Renovating, Applying for permits](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/building-and-renovating/)
  - Official wording: "Projects that require permits include:" … "- decks"
  - Source: [Applying for a Residential Building Permit, When do we not require a permit?](https://media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/portmoody-014-ca/media/2gvlefh4/applying-for-residential-building-permit-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Landscaping, including patios and decks less than 600mm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** Garages and carports are not named separately. Constructing a building needs a permit, and the only exemption for accessory buildings is under 10 m².
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 9.1 and 5.3(b)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=506778)
  - Official wording: "constructing, repairing, or altering a building or structure, including a pool or retaining wall;" … "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** RS1 single detached lots: accessory building height 3.7 m (flat roof) or 4.5 m (sloped); 65 m² max; behind the principal building; 1.5 m from interior side and rear lot lines; 2.0 m between buildings; total coverage 40%. SSMUH lots (s. 8.4.4): accessory height 4.0 m, coverage 45% or 50%. Other zones differ.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 8.4.3 (RS1)](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=461917)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Building – 3.7m for a flat roof and 4.5m for a roof with a slope angle more than 3:12 measured to the highest point" … "Accessory Building or Structure (including Additional Dwelling Units) – 65m2" … "All Buildings and Structures – 40% total" … "Accessory Building or Structure – 2.0m" … "iii. Accessory Building – 4.0m" … "iii. Accessory Building or Structure – 2.0m"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Port Moody Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200; City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 1.1](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=506778)
  - Official wording: "City of Port Moody Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), Title](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=461917)
  - Official wording: "City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Building Bylaw 3200](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=506778), a building permit is needed to construct a building or structure, and the only exemption for accessory buildings is one under 10 m² of floor area. Zoning rules on location, height and size apply even without a permit.

- **Shed:** under 10 m² needs no building permit; 10 m² or more does.
- **Deck:** the City's Building and Renovating page lists decks as needing a permit. Its guide exempts patios and decks less than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade and independently supported.
- **Garage or carport:** not named separately in the bylaw or guide, so the same rule applies: a permit unless the building is under 10 m².

## Steps

1. Check your zone on ViewPort (see zoning-lookup) and the zoning figures below.
2. Call the Building Division at 604-469-4534 or email buildingpermits@portmoody.ca to confirm whether you need a permit.
3. If so, apply online through the eServices portal, then book inspections online.

## Good to know

- [Zoning Bylaw 2937](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=461917) for RS1 single detached lots: accessory building height 3.7 m (flat roof) or 4.5 m (sloped); 65 m² maximum; behind the principal building; 1.5 m from interior side and rear lot lines; 2.0 m between buildings; total coverage 40%. Lots under the small-scale multi-unit housing rules (s. 8.4.4) allow 4.0 m accessory height and 45% or 50% coverage. Other zones differ.
- A second building under 10 m² in a residential zone is not counted as an accessory building if it meets the zone rules (s. 5.2.2(d)).
- A retaining wall over 1.2 m high and a pool deeper than two feet need a permit.

## Official forms and pages

- [Applying for a Residential Building Permit (PDF guide)](https://media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/portmoody-014-ca/media/2gvlefh4/applying-for-residential-building-permit-guide.pdf)
- [Building and Renovating, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/building-and-renovating/)

## Related questions

- [Port Moody building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit.md)
- [Port Moody fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Moody building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit-fees.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)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building and Renovating, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/building-and-renovating/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Applying for a Residential Building Permit (PDF), City of Port Moody](https://media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/portmoody-014-ca/media/2gvlefh4/applying-for-residential-building-permit-guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=506778) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated)](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=461917) (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 Port Moody. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/deck-shed-garage-permit/_