Summerland permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
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.
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.Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 6.3(b); Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04, Building Bulletin 19-04 (Storage Shed) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition; If the proposed building is over 107 ft² (10 m²). However siting requirements, building height and lot coverage based on zoning will still apply. |
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| 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.Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 6.3(i); Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04, Building Bulletin 25-04 (Decks) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdecks 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; If you are building an uncovered deck that is less than 0.6m above grade a building permit is not required. |
| 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.Building Permits and Inspections, Building Permits page (When You Need a Permit); Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, s. 12(a); s. 6.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingincluding accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) 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; |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026, s. 10.2.6(b), 10.2.5(a); definition of Lot Coverage · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMinimum 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. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (s. 6.3, Part 12); Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450Building Bylaw No. 2022-002, consolidated to March 25, 2026, title page; Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw No. 2022-002 Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 |
How it works
The Building Bylaw 2022-002 (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
- Confirm the zone and building rules for your lot (see zoning-lookup).
- For a deck, prepare a site plan, a fire safety plan, drawings and a current state of title.
- 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
The same question in other places
Penticton · Peachland · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Keremeos · Oliver
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
- Decks, Building Bulletin 25-04 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Home Improvements, Building Bulletin 19-04 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits and Inspections, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001 (PDF), Schedule E (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. How answers are checked.