Quesnel permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In Quesnel a patio directly on the ground needs no permit. The Building Bylaw exempts accessory buildings under 15 m2 and decks under 600 mm high, but the City's pages say sheds over 10 m2 and decks on joists and beams need one. Confirm with the Building Department.
Key facts
| Sheds | Under the Building Bylaw, accessory buildings less than 15 m² in building area are exempt, so a larger shed needs a building permit.Sources differ: The City's FAQ and Getting Started pages say a shed bigger than 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs a permit and a smaller one does not, and a small shed still must meet zoning setbacks. The bylaw consolidation lists amendments only to 2011. Ask the Building Department which threshold it applies.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 5.2(6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessor y buildings less than 15 m2 in building area. |
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| Decks | A patio supported directly on the ground needs no permit. Under the Building Bylaw, decks or patios less than 600 mm from the ground are exempt. The City says a deck supported off the ground by joists and beams needs a building permit.Sources differ: These two sources are not the same: the bylaw exempts a low deck under 600 mm; the City FAQ puts a permit on any deck on joists and beams.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 5.2(4); Building FAQs, Deck FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDecks or patios which are less than 600mm f rom the ground; No permit is required for a patio supported directly on the ground, but if the deck is supported off the ground by joists and beams, a building permit is required. |
| Garages and carports | Under the Building Bylaw a detached garage needs a building permit once it is 15 m² or more (the City's FAQ says over 10 m²). Carports are not named separately. The City offers a garage planning kit for detached accessory buildings.Sources differ: Neither the bylaw nor the City pages name carports separately. The fee schedule values 'Add new carports' at $25 per sq. ft., which implies they are permitted work.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, ss. 5.2(6), 7.1; Building Permit Applications, Garage and accessory building guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessor y buildings less than 15 m2 in building area. In addit ion to the exem ptions specif ied in Part 1 of the Building A building plan template [PDF/273KB] owners can use for a detached accessory building, such as a garage or shop. |
| Zoning limits | Zoning Bylaw s. 4.8: at most 2 accessory buildings per lot; not in front of the house; at least 1 m from the house and from interior side lines; 1.5 m from a rear line with no lane; usually 4.5 m and one storey high. Zones can set other limits.City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.8, 10.3), s. 4.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNot more than 2 accessory buildings or structures shall be permitted on each lot shall be a minimum of 1 m (3ft) from the principal building. shall not exceed 4.5 m (15 ft) and one storey in height except as otherwise provided for in this bylaw. at least 1.5 m (5 ft) from any rear lot line, where no lane is provided. at least 1 m (3 ft) from any interior side lot line. |
| Bylaw | City of Quesnel Building Bylaw Number 1550, 2003; Zoning Bylaw No. 1980.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 2.1; City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.8, 10.3), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw Num ber 1550, 2003 Zoning Bylaw No. 1980 |
How it works
In the City of Quesnel, a patio supported directly on the ground needs no permit. The Building Bylaw exempts accessory buildings under 15 m2 and decks or patios less than 600 mm from the ground. The City's FAQ and Getting Started pages say a shed bigger than 10 m2 (108 sq. ft.) needs a permit and a smaller one does not, and that a deck supported off the ground by joists and beams needs one. These differ, so ask the Building Department which threshold it applies.
A detached garage needs a permit once it is 15 m2 or more under the bylaw (over 10 m2 per the City's FAQ). Carports are not named separately by the bylaw or the City's pages. A small shed still must meet zoning setbacks.
Steps
- Measure the building and note its height above the ground.
- Confirm setbacks and height with Planning (250-992-2111).
- Use the City's garage planning kit for accessory buildings, or draw your own clear plans.
- Apply in Cloudpermit or through the Building Department.
Good to know
- Zoning Bylaw 1980 section 4.8: at most 2 accessory buildings per lot, not in front of the house, at least 1 m from the house and from interior side lines, 1.5 m from a rear line with no lane, and usually 4.5 m and one storey high. Zones can set other limits.
- Example of a zone rule: in the RS-1 zone an accessory building may be 7 m high and up to 70 m2 on lots under 1618 m2, or 120 m2 on larger lots. Check your zone's table.
- The Building Bylaw copy posted is a consolidation listing amendments only to 2011.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Williams Lake · Prince George · McBride · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House · Fraser Lake
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building FAQs, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Getting Started - Building, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Applications, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.8, 10.3) (read 2026-11-05)
- Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw 1683, consolidated December 2025 (Schedule A3) (PDF) (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.