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Princeton permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Princeton, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Princeton, a shed, garage or carport over 10 m² needs a building permit. An unroofed residential deck 600 mm (24 in) or less above the ground does not. Zoning limits on size, height and placement still apply.

Key facts

ShedsA shed or other accessory building over 10 m² (total area) needs a building permit; under 10 m² the Building Bylaw does not apply (if it creates no hazard). Zoning limits still apply.Building Services, Building Services page; Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020, s. 3.3(a)(v) and 3.3(h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
to build an accessory structure larger than 10 square metres total area;
accessory buildings less than 10m2 (107 ft2) in building area that do not create a
an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres.
DecksNo building permit for an unroofed residential deck 600 mm (24 in) or less above the adjacent ground, or where the surface within 1.2 m of the deck slopes more than 1 in 2. Other decks are not exempt, and an exterior deck is inspected during construction.Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020, s. 3.3(d) and s. 10.31(h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
unroofed residential decks if the deck surface is 600 mm (24 inches) or less above
construction of an exterior deck; and
the adjacent ground level, or the adjacent surface within 1.2 m of the walking
surface of the deck has a slope of more than 1 in 2;
Garages and carportsA garage or carport over 10 m² needs a building permit (the accessory-building rule). Zoning treats a garage or carport attached to a house as part of the house.Building Services, Building Services page; Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 6.3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
to build an accessory structure larger than 10 square metres total area;
attached to a principal building is deemed to be a portion of the principal building;
Zoning limitsIn residential zones garages, carports, sheds and greenhouses together are limited to 75 m² (RS2: 50 m²) and may not be between the front lot line and the house. Accessory height is 7.5 m in most residential zones (RSM: 4.5 m). RS1 accessory setbacks: 6.0 m front, 1.2 m rear and side, 4 m exterior side.Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 6.3.1, 6.3.3; Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 11.2 (RS1), s. 12.2.5 (RS2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
structure or any combination of these buildings shall not exceed 75m2. (807ft2) in area;
Accessory buildings and structures shall not be located between the front parcel line and a principal building;
accessory building 4.5 m (15 ft)
principal building 7 m (23 ft)
Minimum setback of accessory
rear parcel line 1.2 m (4 ft)
Maximum floor area of accessory 50 m2 (538 ft2)
accessory building 7.5m (25 ft)
BylawTown of Princeton Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020; Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013.Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020, s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020
Town of Princeton Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013

How it works

In the Town of Princeton, a shed or other accessory building over 10 m² total area needs a building permit under the Building Bylaw. Under 10 m² the bylaw does not apply, if the building creates no hazard. A garage or carport over 10 m² needs a permit too. The Zoning Bylaw treats a garage or carport attached to a house as part of the house.

No permit is needed for an unroofed residential deck 600 mm (24 in) or less above the adjacent ground, or where the surface within 1.2 m of the deck slopes more than 1 in 2. Other decks are not exempt, and an exterior deck is inspected during construction.

Steps

  1. Check zoning limits (below) for your lot.
  2. Contact the Building Department about your project.
  3. Apply for the permit and pay the fee (see building-permit-fees).
  4. Book inspections with at least 48 hours' notice.

Good to know

  • In residential zones, garages, carports, sheds and greenhouses together are limited to 75 m² (RS2: 50 m²) and may not be between the front lot line and the house.
  • Accessory height is 7.5 m in most residential zones (RSM: 4.5 m).
  • RS1 accessory setbacks: 6.0 m front, 1.2 m rear and side, 4 m exterior side.
  • On corner lots, accessory buildings keep the same setbacks from an abutting street as the house. Combined accessory area may not exceed the main building's floor area.
  • An accessory building over 25 m² needs a security deposit with the application.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Oliver

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

Sources

  1. Building Services, Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 976, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule E, Building Permits (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)

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.