{"title":"Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Saanich?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","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":"District of Saanich","url":"https://www.saanich.ca"},"short_answer":"In Saanich a new shed, garage or other accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. A smaller utility building that creates no hazard does not, but must meet zoning. A deck is applied for as an addition; no deck size or height threshold is stated.","aliases":["shed permit saanich","deck permit saanich","garage permit saanich","carport permit saanich"],"cost":"See the building-permit-fees answer. The application fee starts at $100 for work under $15,000.","how_long":"For a complete application the District aims to respond within 12 business days (residential).","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Residential Permits (MySaanich)","value":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html"},{"type":"phone","label":"Inspection Services","value":"250-475-5457"},{"type":"email","label":"Inspection Services","value":"inspections@saanich.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Deck checklist (PDF)","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf"},{"title":"Residential Permits, District of Saanich","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Saanich building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Saanich fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/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 new accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. One under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard does not, but it must still meet zoning.","short":"Yes, if over 10 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3(b), 7.3(c)","quotes":["an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres in area that is used for utility"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html","title":"Permit Q&A, District of Saanich","section":"Permit Q&A","quotes":["Constructing or renovating an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres (107 square feet) that complies with zoning requirements and does not create a hazard"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/02_App_Residential_New_Checklist.Fillable.pdf","title":"Residential Building Permit - New checklist (PDF)","section":"Checklist - New","quotes":["Accessory building (more than 10 m2 or 107 ft2)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A deck is applied for as an Addition (the page says 'incl. deck'), and Saanich has a deck checklist. A patio or similar landscape structure needs no permit. No height or size threshold for decks is stated.","short":"Yes; no height or size threshold stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html","title":"Residential Permits, District of Saanich","section":"Residential Permits","quotes":["Adding to an existing single-family or duplex dwelling, incl. deck."]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf","title":"Deck checklist (PDF)","section":"Deck checklist","quotes":["Residential Building Permit - Deck"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html","title":"Permit Q&A, District of Saanich","section":"Permit Q&A","quotes":["Constructing a trellis, arbour (no roof), patio, or other similar landscape structure"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"Not named separately in the sources read. Any new building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit, and the New Build application covers accessory buildings.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html","title":"Permit Q&A, District of Saanich","section":"Permit Q&A","quotes":["You need a building permit for all new buildings over 10 sq m (107 sq ft)."]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html","title":"Residential Permits, District of Saanich","section":"Residential Permits","quotes":["New single-family dwelling, garden suite, accessory building, houseplex"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"RS lots (some RS zones excluded): accessory buildings at least 7.5 m from the front lot line (15 m if over 2,000 m²), 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines, 3.5 m from exterior side line; max 3.75 m high, one storey; 1.2 m from the house. Total coverage 10% (under 1,330 m²), 7% (1,330 to 1,999 m²), 5% (2,000 m² and over). Other zones: see the zone schedule.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.34","quotes":["7.5 m (24.6 ft) from the front lot line or, for lots having an area exceeding 2000 m2 (21,528 ft2), 15 m (49.2 ft) from the front lot line.","1.5 m (4.9 ft) from a rear lot line or interior side lot line.","3.5 m (11.5 ft) from an exterior side lot line.","Shall not exceed a maximum height of 3.75 m (12.3 ft).","Shall not exceed a maximum of one storey.","(i) 1.2 metres (4.0 ft) between walls or columns, and","Shall not exceed the lot coverage requirements outlined in Table 5.3.","1330 m2 (14,316 ft2) – 1999 m2 (21,517 ft2)"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/zoning/zoning-frequently-asked-questions.html","title":"Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich","section":"Zoning FAQ","quotes":["If you are RS zoned, refer to section 5.34 of the Zoning Bylaw","For all other zones, refer to the applicable zone schedule."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529; Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW, 2019, NO. 9529"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","title":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW, 2003, NO. 8200"]}],"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\nUnder the [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf), a new accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. One under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard does not, but it must still meet zoning.\n\nGarages and carports are not named separately in the sources read. Any new building over 10 m² needs a permit, and the New Build application covers accessory buildings.\n\nA deck is applied for as an Addition, and Saanich has a deck checklist. The District's pages state no height or size threshold for decks. A patio or similar landscape structure needs no permit. Ask Inspection Services about your deck.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check zoning limits for your lot (see below and the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Apply online through MySaanich: New Build for an accessory building over 10 m², Addition for a deck.\n3. Pay the fees and book inspections.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- On RS lots (some RS zones are excluded), accessory buildings must be at least 7.5 m from the front lot line (15 m if the lot is over 2,000 m²), 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines, 3.5 m from the exterior side line, and 1.2 m from the house. They may be at most 3.75 m high and one storey.\n- Total accessory building coverage is 10% on lots under 1,330 m², 7% on lots of 1,330 to 1,999 m², and 5% on lots of 2,000 m² and over. Other zones have their own rules in the zone schedule.\n- The [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf) applies even to buildings that need no permit.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html","title":"Permit Q&A, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html","title":"Residential Permits, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf","title":"Deck checklist (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/02_App_Residential_New_Checklist.Fillable.pdf","title":"Residential Building Permit - New checklist (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/zoning/zoning-frequently-asked-questions.html","title":"Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","title":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","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/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}