Smithers permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Smithers, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(b); Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres: Build any kind of structure larger than 10 square metres (107 sq. ft.).
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.Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Decks that are less than 600mm above average grade and not attached to the main structure and have no walls or roofs;
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)).Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, s. 3.3(b), 3.3(n), 10.4(k) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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;
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, s. 2.15.1, 2.15.2, 2.15.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 1924 (s. 3.3 exemptions); Zoning Bylaw No. 1987 (s. 2.15 Auxiliary Uses, Buildings & Structures).Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4; Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, Section 2.15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw does not apply to Section 2.15 Auxiliary Uses, Buildings & Structures

How it works

Under Building Bylaw No. 1924 (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 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

Check your zoning and setbacks (see the zoning-lookup answer).
If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit answer.
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

The same question in other places

Telkwa · Houston · Hazelton · Granisle · Terrace · Burns Lake

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3 and 10.4, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.15, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Building Permits, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers (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. How answers are checked.