{"title":"Qualicum Beach permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Qualicum Beach?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Qualicum Beach","url":"https://www.qualicumbeach.com"},"short_answer":"In Qualicum Beach you need a building permit for a deck (unless it is uncovered and not more than 0.5 m above grade), a new accessory building such as a shed over 10 m², and a new garage or carport. Zoning limits on size and setbacks apply to every accessory building.","aliases":["deck permit qualicum beach","shed permit qualicum beach","garage permit qualicum beach","accessory building qualicum beach"],"cost":"Permit fees are in Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"Three to four weeks for complete residential applications, including accessory buildings.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Inspection","value":"250-738-2202"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning, Town Hall","value":"250-752-6921"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"#201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7","note":"Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Guide for Building a Deck (PDF)","url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Guide%20for%20Building%20a%20Deck%2Epdf"},{"title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Qualicum Beach building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Qualicum Beach building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Qualicum Beach zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Qualicum Beach fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A building permit is needed for a new accessory building (shed) greater than 10 m². The Town's FAQ does not list sheds of 10 m² or less as needing one.","short":"Yes, if greater than 10 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/","title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Building Permit FAQ","quotes":["Construct a new accessory building (greater than 10 m²)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A building permit is needed to remodel or construct a deck. The Building Bylaw does not apply to uncovered decks not more than 0.5 m above finished grade with no walls or roof. The Town has a Guide for Building a Deck.","short":"Yes, unless uncovered and 0.5 m or less above grade","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/","title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Building Permit FAQ","quotes":["Remodel or construct a deck"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"s. 3.3(b)","quotes":["uncovered decks, steps, landings, ramps and patios not more than 0.5"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Guide%20for%20Building%20a%20Deck%2Epdf","title":"Guide for Building a Deck (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Guide for Building a Deck","quotes":["GUIDE FOR BUILDING A DECK"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"A building permit is needed to construct any new building or structure, and to enclose a carport or change a garage to living space. A garage is not named separately as exempt.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/","title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Building Permit FAQ","quotes":["Construct any new building or structure","Enclose your carport or change your garage to living space"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"In R1 and R2 zones: accessory buildings total up to 75 m², height 4.5 m, parcel coverage 55%. An accessory building of 10 m² or less and 3 m or less in height may sit at 0 m from rear and interior side lot lines; other accessory buildings are 4.0 m from an exterior side lot line. In rural zones A1 to A3, accessory buildings total up to 200 m², parcel coverage 20%, 7.5 m from other lot lines.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"s. 3.4.111 (R1), s. 3.4.112 (R2), s. 3.4.11 (A1)","quotes":["Accessory buildings - combined floor area of 75m2","Accessory Building 4.5m","Parcel coverage 55%","Interior side lot line 1.5m","Accessory Building 4.0m","Accessory Buildings Combined floor area 200m2","Parcel Coverage 20%"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Qualicum Beach Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024; Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/","title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Building Resources","quotes":["Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"title","quotes":["Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nQualicum Beach requires a building permit under the [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf) for these:\n\n- **Deck:** a permit is needed to build or remodel a deck. The bylaw does not apply to uncovered decks not more than 0.5 m above finished grade with no walls or roof. The Town has a Guide for Building a Deck.\n- **Shed:** a permit is needed for a new accessory building greater than 10 m². The Town's FAQ does not list sheds of 10 m² or less as needing one.\n- **Garage or carport:** a permit is needed for any new building or structure, and to enclose a carport or change a garage to living space. The Town gives no size threshold for garages and carports.\n\nZoning also applies, even where no building permit is needed. In the R1 and R2 zones under the [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf): accessory buildings total up to 75 m², height 4.5 m, parcel coverage 55%. An accessory building of 10 m² or less and 3 m or less in height may sit at 0 m from rear and interior side lot lines; other accessory buildings are 4.0 m from an exterior side lot line. In rural zones A1 to A3: up to 200 m², parcel coverage 20%, 7.5 m from other lot lines. Other zones differ.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone and check the limits above (see zoning-lookup).\n2. If a permit is needed, follow the steps in building-permit.\n3. If you are unsure whether your shed, deck or garage needs one, call Building Inspection before you build.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Work cannot start until the permit is issued.\n- A fence is a separate question; see fence-rules.","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/","title":"Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Guide%20for%20Building%20a%20Deck%2Epdf","title":"Guide for Building a Deck (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}