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Port Moody permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

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

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.

Key facts

ShedsAn 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.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 5.3(b); Applying for a Residential Building Permit, When do we require a permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;
Constructing a new accessory building,
DecksDecks 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.Building and Renovating, Applying for permits; Applying for a Residential Building Permit, When do we not require a permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Projects that require permits include:
- decks
Landscaping, including patios and decks less than 600mm
Garages and carportsGarages and carports are not named separately. Constructing a building needs a permit, and the only exemption for accessory buildings is under 10 m².Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 9.1 and 5.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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;
Zoning limitsRS1 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.Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 8.4.3 (RS1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
BylawCity of Port Moody Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200; City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated), s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Port Moody Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200
City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937

How it works

Under the Building Bylaw 3200, 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 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

The same question in other places

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

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

Sources

  1. Building and Renovating, City of Port Moody (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Applying for a Residential Building Permit (PDF), City of Port Moody (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 3200 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated) (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.