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

# Smithers permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Smithers a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² needs no building permit; larger ones do. A deck is exempt only if it is under 600 mm above grade, detached, and has no walls or roof. Garages and carports generally need a permit. Zoning rules apply either way.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Smithers, https://www.smithers.ca)  
**Cost:** A building permit costs $80 to apply plus $6.25 per $1,000 of construction value. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Town says most building permits can be issued within 20 working days.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-847-1600 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- In person: Town Hall, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, BC

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** An accessory building with a floor area under 10 m² is exempt from the Building Bylaw; a structure larger than 10 m² (107 sq. ft.) needs a building permit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(b)](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres:"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/building-development/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Build any kind of structure larger than 10 square metres (107 sq. ft.)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** A deck is exempt from the Building Bylaw only if it is less than 600 mm above average grade, not attached to the main structure, and has no walls or roof.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(i)](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/)
  - Official wording: "Decks that are less than 600mm above average grade and not attached to the" … "main structure and have no walls or roofs;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** A garage or carport is not exempt unless it is an accessory building under 10 m²; the Building Bylaw's application rules treat garages and carports as permit work (s. 10.4(k)). Temporary fabric parking or storage structures for 2 or fewer vehicles are exempt (s. 3.3(n)).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(b), 3.3(n), 10.4(k)](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/)
  - Official wording: "k) except for garages, carports and garden structures located on land, at the request" … "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres:" … "Temporary fabric parking or storage structures designed to store 2 or less vehicles;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** Auxiliary buildings must be at least 1.2 m from any lane or parcel line, not in the front yard setback, and not taller than 6.0 m or the principal building. Total floor area is capped by parcel size (60 m² up to 580.4 m²; 80 m² for 580.5 to 1,348.8 m²). Parcel coverage is set by zone (50% in LDR-1) and counts attached garages, carports and covered decks.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, s. 2.15.1, 2.15.2, 2.15.6](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "An auxiliary building shall not be located less than 1.2 m from any lane or" … "An auxiliary building’s height may not exceed 6.0 m or that of the principal" … "be located between a principal building and the front parcel line." … "The total combined floor area of all auxiliary buildings on a parcel, excluding greenhouses and" … "ii. Lots from 580.5 m2 to 1,348.8 m2 80.0 m2" … "such as living space, covered deck, attached garages and carports, but excluding open decks" … "50% maximum for all buildings and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 1924 (s. 3.3 exemptions); Zoning Bylaw No. 1987 (s. 2.15 Auxiliary Uses, Buildings & Structures).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, Section 2.15](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Section 2.15 Auxiliary Uses, Buildings & Structures"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Building Bylaw No. 1924](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/) (s. 3.3):

- **Shed or other accessory building:** exempt if the floor area is under 10 m². The Town's page says a structure larger than 10 m² (107 sq. ft.) needs a permit.
- **Deck:** exempt only if it is less than 600 mm above average grade, not attached to the main structure, and has no walls or roof. Any other deck falls under the general permit rule for building or altering a structure.
- **Garage or carport:** not exempt unless it is an accessory building under 10 m². The bylaw treats garages and carports as permit work. Temporary fabric parking or storage structures for 2 or fewer vehicles are exempt.

Even without a permit, the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/) applies (s. 2.15, auxiliary buildings):

- At least 1.2 m from any lane or parcel line, and not in the front yard setback.
- No taller than 6.0 m or the principal building.
- Total floor area is capped by parcel size: 60 m² up to 580.4 m², and 80 m² for 580.5 to 1,348.8 m² (larger caps for bigger parcels).
- Parcel coverage is set by zone (50% in LDR-1) and counts attached garages, carports and covered decks.
- Not permitted in the C-1 and C-1A zones, and not to be used as a dwelling or short-term rental except as the bylaw provides.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning and setbacks (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit answer.
3. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600 if your size is close to 10 m².

## Good to know

- Neither the bylaw nor the Town's page says what happens at exactly 10 m².
- An auxiliary building that breaks the zoning rules can get a bylaw notice. The Penalty amount is $300; check the amount on your notice.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/building-development/building-permits)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1924](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/)

## Related questions

- [Smithers building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit.md)
- [Smithers building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Smithers fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/fence-rules.md)
- [Smithers zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/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)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Burns Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burns-lake/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/196969/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permits, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/building-development/building-permits) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/290948/) (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 Town of Smithers. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/deck-shed-garage-permit/_