Revelstoke permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
Short answer
In Revelstoke a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² does not need a building permit unless it creates a hazard; at 10 m² or more it does. Garages and carports are not exempt. The bylaw sets no deck exemption, so expect a permit and confirm low decks with Building Services.
Key facts
| Sheds | A shed or other accessory building under 10 m² of building area does not need a building permit unless it creates a hazard. At 10 m² or more, a building permit is required.Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 3.3(b), 7.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingb) an accessory building with a building area of less than 10 square metres unless the building creates a hazard; constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a pool or retaining wall; |
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| Decks | The Building Bylaw sets no deck height or size threshold and lists no deck exemption. A deck is a construction that is not landscaping or paving, so a permit is expected; the City fee schedule has a deck rate. Confirm low decks with Building Services (building@revelstoke.ca).Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 7.1 and definition of structure; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated, Valuation Schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingstructure means a construction or portion of construction, of any kind, whether fixed to, supported by or sunk into land or water, except landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures less than 1.22 meters in height; 7.1. Subject to Part 10 of this bylaw, every owner must apply for and obtain a permit , prior to: 3 Decks & accessory buildings $349.70 $32.50 |
| Garages and carports | Yes. A garage or carport is not exempt; the only accessory building exemption is under 10 m². The fee schedule lists garage and carport valuation rates. A garage or carport attached to the house by a breezeway counts as an accessory building for zoning.Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 3.3(b); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated, Valuation Schedule; Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.1.1(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingb) an accessory building with a building area of less than 10 square metres unless the 4 Carports $489.58 $45.50 5 Garages $559.52 $52.00 (1) A garage, carport, greenhouse, lean-to building, or similar structure attached to a principal building by a breezeway shall be considered an accessory building for the |
| Zoning limits | Residential zones: not in front of the house (a detached carport up to 32 m² may sit in front); at least 1.2 m from side and rear lot lines; maximum height 6.0 m; total accessory floor area 125 m² on lots up to 1,000 m², 175 m² up to 4,000 m², 300 m² at 4,000 m² or more; also zone lot coverage limits.Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(1) An accessory building or structure shall not be located in front of a principal building. (6) Accessory buildings and structures must meet a 1.2 m minimum setback from the side (7) Accessory buildings and structures must not exceed a building height of 6.0 m. (8) Lots up to 1,000.0 sq. m in size a. 125.0 sq. m a. 175.0 sq. m a. 300.0 sq. m b. Does not exceed a maximum gross floor area of 32.0 sq. m. |
| Bylaw | City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No. 2294 (s. 3.3 and 7.1); City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 (s. 5.1)Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No. City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 5.1.2 Accessory Buildings and Structures in Residential Zones |
How it works
The Building Bylaw 2294 requires a permit to build a building or structure. It does not apply to an accessory building under 10 m² unless it creates a hazard. By a plain reading, 10 m² or more needs a permit.
- Garage or carport: not exempt; the only accessory building exemption is under 10 m². A garage built as part of the house falls under the main permit.
- Deck: the bylaw sets no deck height or size threshold and lists no deck exemption, so a permit is expected. Confirm low decks with Building Services.
Apply as described in the building-permit answer. Zoning limits apply even to buildings that need no permit.
Good to know
Under the Zoning Bylaw 2406 (section 5.1), for residential zones:
- Where: not in front of the house, though a detached carport up to 32 m² may sit in front. At least 1.2 m from side and rear lot lines. A garage or carport joined to the house by a breezeway counts as an accessory building.
- Height: no more than 6.0 m.
- Size: all accessory buildings together may total 125 m² on lots up to 1,000 m², 175 m² on lots up to 4,000 m², and 300 m² at 4,000 m² or more. Zone lot coverage limits also apply. Multi-unit lots have separate limits.
- Accessory buildings cannot be larger than the main building or be used as a dwelling.
- Decks more than 0.6 m high beside pools or hot tubs must also meet accessory building setbacks (section 4.9).
- Mixed-use, commercial, industrial and public zones follow principal building setbacks.
- If your plan breaks a rule, ask about a development variance permit.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sicamous · Enderby · Nakusp · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Golden
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 2294 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
- Building and Plumbing Permit Application (PDF), City of Revelstoke (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.