---
title: Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Saanich?"
place: Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/saanich
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Saanich
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

**Question:** Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Saanich?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Saanich, https://www.saanich.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Residential Permits (MySaanich), https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html
- Phone: Inspection Services, 250-475-5457
- Email: Inspection Services, inspections@saanich.ca

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 3.3(b), 7.3(c)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres in area that is used for utility"
  - Source: [Permit Q&A](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Residential Building Permit - New checklist, Checklist - New](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/02_App_Residential_New_Checklist.Fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory building (more than 10 m2 or 107 ft2)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential Permits](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html)
  - Official wording: "Adding to an existing single-family or duplex dwelling, incl. deck."
  - Source: [Deck checklist](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Residential Building Permit - Deck"
  - Source: [Permit Q&A](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html)
  - Official wording: "Constructing a trellis, arbour (no roof), patio, or other similar landscape structure"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** 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.
  - Source: [Permit Q&A](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html)
  - Official wording: "You need a building permit for all new buildings over 10 sq m (107 sq ft)."
  - Source: [Residential Permits](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html)
  - Official wording: "New single-family dwelling, garden suite, accessory building, houseplex"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 5.34](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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)"
  - Source: [Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich, Zoning FAQ](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/zoning/zoning-frequently-asked-questions.html)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529; Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, title](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW, 2019, NO. 9529"
  - Source: [https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf, Schedule 5](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW, 2003, NO. 8200"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

Garages 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.

A 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.

## Steps

1. Check zoning limits for your lot (see below and the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Apply online through MySaanich: New Build for an accessory building over 10 m², Addition for a deck.
3. Pay the fees and book inspections.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- The [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf) applies even to buildings that need no permit.

## Official forms and pages

- [Deck checklist (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf)
- [Residential Permits, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html)

## Related questions

- [Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.md)
- [Saanich building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Saanich fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fence-rules.md)
- [Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/BUILDING%20BYLAW,%202019,%20NO.%209529.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Permit Q&A, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/permit-q-as.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Permits, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/inspections-services/residential-permits.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Deck checklist (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/07_App_Residential_Deck%20Checklist.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Building Permit - New checklist (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Inspections/02_App_Residential_New_Checklist.Fillable.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Planning/zone8200.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/zoning/zoning-frequently-asked-questions.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit/_