{"title":"Summerland permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Summerland","url":"https://www.summerland.ca"},"short_answer":"In the District of Summerland, a garage or carport needs a building permit. A shed or other accessory building under 10 m² does not, and neither does a deck under 600 mm high that is not attached to a building and has no walls or roof. Zoning rules still apply to all of them.","aliases":["shed permit summerland","deck permit summerland","garage permit summerland bc","carport permit summerland"],"cost":"Minimum building permit fee is $150; see building-permit-fees.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-494-1373"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"devserv@summerland.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Development Services counter, Municipal Hall","value":"13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0","note":"Tuesday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."}],"documents":["Site plan showing all existing and planned buildings with dimensions","Fire safety plan and drawings of footings, beams, columns, stairs and guardrails (decks)","Current state of title and the owner's authorization form (decks)"],"forms":[{"title":"Decks building bulletin 25-04 (PDF)","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf"},{"title":"Home Improvements building bulletin 19-04 (PDF)","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf"},{"title":"Forms and Guidelines","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/forms-guidelines"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Summerland building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Summerland fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Summerland zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Summerland building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit-fees/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/keremeos","name":"Keremeos","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oliver","name":"Oliver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A shed or other accessory building under 10 m² that is not a potential unsafe condition needs no building permit. One of 10 m² or more does. Zoning siting, height and coverage rules still apply.","short":"No if under 10 m², no unsafe condition","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"s. 6.3(b)","quotes":["an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition;"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf","title":"Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04 (PDF)","section":"Building Bulletin 19-04 (Storage Shed)","quotes":["If the proposed building is over 107 ft² (10 m²).","However siting requirements, building height and lot coverage based on zoning will still apply."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"A building permit is required unless the deck is less than 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof.","short":"Yes, unless under 600 mm, detached, no walls or roof","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"s. 6.3(i)","quotes":["decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade, which are not","attached to a building and have no walls or roofs;"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04 (PDF)","section":"Building Bulletin 25-04 (Decks)","quotes":["If you are building an uncovered deck that is less than 0.6m above grade a building permit is not required."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The July 2025 deck bulletin says an uncovered deck under 0.6 m above grade needs no permit and does not mention the 'not attached to a building' condition in the bylaw. The bylaw wins, so an attached low deck is not clearly exempt. The older Bulletin 19-04 says a deck addition on a house will usually need a permit."},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"Yes. Garages and carports are accessory buildings and most likely need a building permit (only accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt), and must also meet zoning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Summerland","section":"Building Permits page (When You Need a Permit)","quotes":["including accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.)"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"s. 12(a); s. 6.3(b)","quotes":["construction or placement of new buildings and structures;","an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"Example, RU2 zone: accessory buildings 3.0 m from the front line, 1.5 m from the rear and interior side lines, 3.0 m from an exterior side line (6.0 m if a garage door faces a street); height the lesser of 7.5 m or 2 storeys; lot coverage 40% (RU1: 50%) including carports and decks over 23 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026","section":"s. 10.2.6(b), 10.2.5(a); definition of Lot Coverage","quotes":["Minimum Front Setback 3.0m","Minimum Rear Setback 1.5m","Maximum Height The lesser of 7.5m or 2","Maximum Lot Coverage 40 percent","Accessory Buildings or Structures (including Carports, covered Patios and Decks larger than 23m2)","Notwithstanding Section 10.2.6 (b) (ii) and (iv), where a garage door is facing a Street the minimum Setback shall be 6.0 m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (s. 6.3, Part 12); Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"title page","quotes":["Building Bylaw No. 2022-002"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026","section":"title page","quotes":["Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Building Bylaw 2022-002](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf) (s. 6.3) exempts an accessory building under 10 m² that is not a potential unsafe condition. Garages and carports are accessory buildings, and the District's permit page says they will most likely need a permit. A deck needs a permit unless it is less than 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm the zone and building rules for your lot (see zoning-lookup).\n2. For a deck, prepare a site plan, a fire safety plan, drawings and a current state of title.\n3. Apply through Building Permit Hub or at the Development Services counter (see building-permit).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning rules apply even when no permit is needed. Limits are set zone by zone. For example, in RU2 an accessory building must be 3.0 m from the front lot line, 1.5 m from the rear and interior side lines, and 3.0 m from an exterior side line (6.0 m if a garage door faces a street). Its height may be the lesser of 7.5 m or 2 storeys, and lot coverage is 40% (50% in RU1).\n- An accessory building cannot contain a bedroom or kitchen unless it is a carriage house, and cannot be built before the main building (Zoning Bylaw 4.5.3 and 4.5.4).\n- The 2025 deck bulletin says an uncovered deck under 0.6 m above grade needs no permit and does not mention the \"not attached\" condition. The bylaw governs, so an attached low deck is not clearly exempt. Confirm with Development Services.\n- Starting before a permit is issued doubles the fee; see building-permit-fees.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf","title":"Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/building/building-permits","title":"Building Permits and Inspections, District of Summerland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001 (PDF), Schedule E","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}