Slocan permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Slocan?
Short answer
In Slocan a new garage, carport or storage shed needs a building permit; no size threshold is stated. An unroofed deck no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade is outside the Building Bylaw. Higher decks, and enclosing a porch or roofing a sun deck, need a permit.
Key facts
| Sheds | A new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed needs a building permit. No size threshold is stated.Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingConstruct a new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed |
|---|---|
| Decks | An unroofed deck no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade is outside the Building Bylaw. Higher decks, and enclosing a porch or roofing over a sun deck, need a permit.RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 5.2.3; Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingdecks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2ft) Enclose a porch or roof over a sun deck |
| Garages and carports | Yes: a new garage or carport needs a building permit.Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingConstruct a new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings: 4.5 m maximum height; in R-1 at least 4.5 m from front and exterior side lot lines and 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines; all buildings together cover at most 33% of the site (R-1, R-2; 45% in R-3). Not for habitation; only after the principal building.Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), ss. 4.9(2), 4.6, 5.4.3, 5.4.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe maximum height of an accessory building or structure in any zone shall be 4.5 metres. No accessory building or structure shall be located within 4.5 metres of the front or exterior Buildings and structures shall not cover more than 33 per cent of the site in total. shall be used for human habitation. |
| Bylaw | RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (permits) and Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (zoning limits).Bylaws, Bylaws page; Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording#2200 – BUILDING BYLAW, 2010 ZONING BYLAW No. 633, 2013 |
How it works
In the Village of Slocan, permits come from the RDCK Building Service (Building Bylaw No. 2200) and size and placement limits come from the Zoning Bylaw No. 633.
- Shed, garage, carport: a new accessory building needs a building permit. No size threshold is stated, so ask the building inspector about a small shed.
- Deck: an unroofed deck no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade is outside the Building Bylaw. Higher decks, enclosing a porch, or roofing over a sun deck need a permit. The Village page lists a Deck and Exterior Roof checklist.
Steps
- Check zoning limits (below) for your zone.
- Use the RDCK checklist for your project (accessory building or deck).
- Apply through the Village Office (see the building-permit answer).
Good to know
- Accessory buildings: 4.5 m maximum height. In R-1, at least 4.5 m from front and exterior side lot lines and 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines.
- All buildings together may cover at most 33% of the site in R-1 and R-2, and 45% in R-3.
- An accessory building is not for habitation and may be built only after the principal building.
- Other zones differ. Check the bylaw for the C and M zones or ask the Village Office.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Silverton · New Denver · Nelson · Kaslo · Castlegar · Nakusp
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, Village of Slocan (read 2026-11-08)
- RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws (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. How answers are checked.