Sooke permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Sooke?
In Sooke a deck, a garage, a carport enclosure and any shed of 10 m² or more need a District building permit. An unoccupied accessory building under 10 m² is outside the Building Bylaw, but zoning rules on size and setbacks still apply.
Key facts
| Sheds | An unoccupied accessory building under 10 m² is outside the Building Bylaw, so no building permit. A shed or other accessory building of 10 m² or more needs a building permit.Building Bylaw No. 780, 2020 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), s. 4(4)(c); Building and Renovating, Building and Renovating page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan unoccupied accessory building with a floor area of less than ten 10 square metres Construct a new accessory building |
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| Decks | The District's page lists building or remodelling a deck as needing a building permit and gives no height threshold. The fee schedule lists unenclosed ground or main floor deck additions, under and over 10 m², in its security deposit tiers.Building and Renovating, Building and Renovating page; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, consolidated October 2026, Schedule 3, Security Deposit Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRemodel or construct a deck ground/main floor deck addition under 10 square metres with no roof Unenclosed ground/main floor deck addition over 10 square meters. |
| Garages and carports | Yes: constructing a new accessory building needs a building permit, and enclosing a carport needs one. A garage attached by an enclosed structure counts as part of the house.Building and Renovating, Building and Renovating page; Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.4(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruct a new accessory building Enclose your carport attached to a principal building by means of an enclosed structure including any garage or carport is deemed to |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings are allowed only after or with a principal building, may not be used as a dwelling unless the bylaw allows, and total floor area cannot exceed the principal building's. In R1 (lots 1,215 m² or smaller) accessory buildings may be up to 2 storeys and 9 m high, with 50% lot coverage, 4 m front, 1.2 m side and 1.5 m rear setbacks. Open decks under 0.6 m above grade are exempt from setbacks.Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.4(c), (d), (e); Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.18(c); Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026, Schedule 201 (R1) ss. 201.7 to 201.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo accessory building or structure shall be situated on a lot unless the principal An accessory building shall not be used as a dwelling unit or sleeping unit The floor area of an accessory building or buildings shall not exceed the Open decks or patios without a roof structure, ancillary to a residential having a floor level less than 0.6 m above the adjoining grade b) Accessory Buildings: 2 storeys, up to a maximum height of 9 m For lots 1215 m2 or smaller: 50% a) Minimum Setbacks for Lots ≤ 1215 m2 |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 780, 2020, and Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013Building Bylaw No. 780, 2020 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), title page; Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 780, 2020 3.4 Accessory Uses a) Accessory uses must be conducted on the same lot as the principal use. opinions, as the District of Sooke takes no responsibility for information provided by it. Amendments to Bylaw No. 600, Sooke Zoning Bylaw, 2013 |
How it works
Sooke's Building Bylaw No. 780 does not apply to an unoccupied accessory building under 10 m², so a small shed needs no building permit. The District's page says constructing a new accessory building, building or remodelling a deck, and enclosing a carport need one. A shed or other accessory building of 10 m² or more therefore needs a permit. A garage joined to the house by an enclosed structure counts as part of the house. The District's page gives no height threshold for decks.
Zoning applies either way. Under Zoning Bylaw No. 600, an accessory building may be built only after or with a principal building, cannot be lived in unless the bylaw allows it, and its total floor area cannot exceed the principal building's. Open decks under 0.6 m above grade are exempt from setbacks.
Steps
- Look up your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and check its setbacks, height and lot coverage.
- If a permit is needed, follow the building-permit steps: application, site plan, drawings and title search.
- Pay the fees and wait for the permit before building.
- Book inspections during construction.
Good to know
- Example only: in the R1 zone on lots of 1,215 m² or smaller, accessory buildings may be up to 2 storeys and 9 m high, with 50% lot coverage and setbacks of 4 m front, 1.2 m side and 1.5 m rear. Other zones and larger lots differ.
- A ticket for an unlawful accessory building is $100.
- When unsure, call Building Safety at 250-642-1634 or building@sooke.ca.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Metchosin · Langford · Colwood · Highlands · View Royal · Esquimalt
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building and Renovating, District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Bylaw No. 780, 2020 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013, consolidated to April 2026 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, consolidated October 2026 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836 (PDF), District of Sooke (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.