---
title: Sayward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Sayward?"
place: Sayward, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sayward
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Sayward
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Sayward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In the Village of Sayward a shed under 10 m² (107.6 sq ft) is exempt from the Building Bylaw, and larger sheds need a building permit. The Village's sources do not set a rule for decks, garages or carports, so call the Village Office before you build.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Sayward, https://www.sayward.ca)  
**Cost:** See the building-permit-fees answer if a permit is needed.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 652 H'Kusam Way, Sayward, BC (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed holidays))
- Phone: Village Office, 250-282-5512

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** The Building Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code, including those under 10 m² (107.6 sq ft) in building area. Larger sheds need a building permit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated), s. 5.2.1](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code, including buildings or"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated), s. 4.1](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A permit is required whenever work regulated under this Bylaw is to be undertaken."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Decks:** Not confirmed. The bylaw and the Village's Building Permits page do not mention a deck height threshold or garages or carports.
- **Garages and carports:** Not confirmed. The bylaw and the Village's Building Permits page do not mention a deck height threshold or garages or carports.
- **Zoning limits:** Accessory buildings: not in a front yard; may be at zero lot line if no higher than 2.5 m (8.2 ft); maximum height 6.0 m (19.6 ft). In R-1, not within 1.0 m of a rear or side lot line, and lot coverage up to 70%.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 403(2)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Shall be not be located in any front yard;" … "May be sited at zero lot line where the height does not exceed 2.5m (8.2ft);"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 402(1)(c)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The maximum height of all accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed 6.0"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 601(5)(d)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No accessory structure shall be located within 1.0m (3.3ft) of a rear or side lot line."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005; Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated), Title](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 334 Village of Sayward Building Bylaw, 2005"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), Title](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village of Sayward Zoning Bylaw, 2000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Building Bylaw No. 334](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf) does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code, including those under 10 m² (107.6 sq ft) in building area. That exemption has exceptions, so check with the Village Office. Larger sheds need a building permit.

The bylaw and the Village's Building Permits page do not mention a deck height threshold, and they do not mention garages or carports. The general permit rule (a permit for any construction, addition or alteration) applies, so call before you build.

## Good to know

- Zoning rules apply even when no building permit is needed. In the [Zoning Bylaw No. 309](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf), accessory buildings cannot be in a front yard, may sit at a zero lot line if no higher than 2.5 m (8.2 ft), and may be up to 6.0 m (19.6 ft) high.
- In the R-1 zone, accessory buildings must be at least 1.0 m from a rear or side lot line, and lot coverage may be up to 70%. Setbacks and coverage differ by zone.
- Call the Village Office at 250-282-5512 for decks, garages and carports.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Bylaw No. 334 (PDF)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 309 (PDF)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Sayward building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/building-permit.md)
- [Sayward building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Sayward fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/fence-rules.md)
- [Sayward zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/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)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Tahsis](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-05/Bylaw%20334%20-%20Building%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated)](https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2025-09/Bylaw%20309%20-%20Zoning%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permits, Village of Sayward](https://www.sayward.ca/business-development/building-permits) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Staff Directory, Village of Sayward](https://www.sayward.ca/contact/staff-directory) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Sayward. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/deck-shed-garage-permit/_