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

# Silverton permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Silverton, the RDCK says a new garage, carport or shed needs a building permit (no size threshold is given), and so does a deck more than 2 feet above grade. The Village's zoning sets setbacks and height, and a wildfire development permit also applies.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** RDCK plan-check deposit for an accessory building or addition is $50. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The RDCK says about 6 to 8 weeks for a completed application.  
**Where:**
- Phone: RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office (includes Silverton), 250-265-4111 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.)
- Email: RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca
- Phone: Village Office (zoning and development permits), 250-358-2472

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** RDCK lists any new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed as needing a building permit; no size threshold is given.
  - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, When is a building permit required](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construct a new accessory building such as a carport,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Decks:** A deck needs a building permit where it is more than 2 feet above grade.
  - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, When is a building permit required](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Decks having a difference" … "exceeding 2 feet"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Garages and carports:** Yes. A new garage or carport needs a building permit (RDCK).
  - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, When is a building permit required](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construct a new accessory building such as a carport,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Zoning limits:** Accessory buildings are allowed in all zones once a principal building exists, must meet zone setbacks (R-1: 1.5 m rear and interior side, 3.0 m exterior side, 4.5 m front), and may be up to 7.3 m high. R-1 maximum parcel coverage is 40%. A wildfire development permit is also needed where a building permit is required.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026, ss. 3.4, 3.8, 4.23, 6.3, 6.5](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22147/)
  - Official wording: "shall conform to the Setback requirements of the Zone;" … "The maximum Height of an Accessory Building shall not exceed 7.3 m (24 ft) in height." … "1.5 m (4.9 ft) from Rear Parcel Line" … "4.5 m (14.8 ft) from Front Parcel Line" … "The maximum Parcel Coverage is 40%." … "no new construction of a dwelling, addition, or accessory Structure for which a building permit is required is allowed without a Wildfire Protection Development Permit."
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 562, 2026, s. 13.3](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22148/)
  - Official wording: "All lots within the Village are included in the Wildfire Risk Reduction Development Permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026; RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026, Title](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22147/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026"
  - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Related Links](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw 2200, 2010"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Two layers apply in Silverton. The RDCK issues building permits, and the Village's [Zoning Bylaw No. 563](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22147/) sets where and how big you can build.

The RDCK lists any new accessory building, such as a carport, garage or storage shed, as needing a building permit, and gives no size threshold. A deck needs a permit where it is more than 2 feet above grade.

Zoning: accessory buildings are allowed in all zones once a principal building exists. They must meet the zone setbacks (R-1: 4.5 m front, 1.5 m rear and interior side, 3.0 m exterior side) and may be up to 7.3 m high. Maximum parcel coverage in R-1 is 40%.

## Steps

1. Check your zone and setbacks in the Zoning Bylaw (see zoning-lookup).
2. Contact the RDCK Nakusp office about the building permit.
3. Apply for a wildfire development permit from the Village where a building permit is required.
4. If your lot is on the lakefront, you also need a development permit in the Lakefront and Riparian Protection area.

## Good to know

- A wildfire development permit is needed wherever a building permit is required.
- A deck not more than 2 feet above grade and without a roof is outside the RDCK building bylaw.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22147/)
- [Building Department, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/)

## Related questions

- [Silverton building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.md)
- [Silverton building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Silverton fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/fence-rules.md)
- [Silverton zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/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)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 563, 2026, Village of Silverton](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22147/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 562, 2026, Village of Silverton](https://silverton.civicweb.net/document/22148/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/deck-shed-garage-permit/_