---
title: Summerland permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/summerland
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Summerland
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Summerland permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**Cost:** Minimum building permit fee is $150; see building-permit-fees.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-494-1373
- Email: Development Services, devserv@summerland.ca
- In person: Development Services counter, Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 (Tuesday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 6.3(b)](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)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition;"
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04, Building Bulletin 19-04 (Storage Shed)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 6.3(i)](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)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04, Building Bulletin 25-04 (Decks)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf)
  - Official wording: "If you are building an uncovered deck that is less than 0.6m above grade a building permit is not required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Permits and Inspections, Building Permits page (When You Need a Permit)](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "including accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.)"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 12(a); s. 6.3(b)](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026, s. 10.2.6(b), 10.2.5(a); definition of Lot Coverage](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (s. 6.3, Part 12); Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, title page](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)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 2022-002"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026, title page](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

## Steps

1. Confirm the zone and building rules for your lot (see zoning-lookup).
2. For a deck, prepare a site plan, a fire safety plan, drawings and a current state of title.
3. Apply through Building Permit Hub or at the Development Services counter (see building-permit).

## Good to know

- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- Starting before a permit is issued doubles the fee; see building-permit-fees.

## What you'll need

- 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)

## Official forms and pages

- [Decks building bulletin 25-04 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf)
- [Home Improvements building bulletin 19-04 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf)
- [Forms and Guidelines](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/forms-guidelines)

## Related questions

- [Summerland building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit.md)
- [Summerland fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/fence-rules.md)
- [Summerland zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Summerland building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit-fees.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)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026](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) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/decks---building-bulletin.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/2019-09-09-home-improvements.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits and Inspections, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/building/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001 (PDF), Schedule E](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) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/deck-shed-garage-permit/_