---
title: Tofino permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Tofino?"
place: Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/tofino
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Tofino
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# Tofino permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

**Short answer:** In Tofino a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² needs no building permit, but a larger one does. A deck or raised platform over 600 mm (about 2 feet) high needs a permit, as does any deck at a principal entrance. Zoning limits on size and location still apply.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Tofino, https://tofino.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit fee of $9 per $1,000 of construction value, $120 minimum; $1,000 security deposit for an accessory building over 10 m².  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Inspector, 250-726-6349
- Phone: Planning Services, 250-725-3229
- Online: District permit portal (Citywide), https://citywideportal.com/auth/signup/tofino

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** An accessory building (shed) with a floor area under 10 m² is outside the Building Bylaw. A larger shed needs a building permit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019, s. 3.3 and Schedule A, s. 3.3(b)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/94955/Building%20Bylaw%20No.%201256,%202019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;"
  - Source: [Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/180182/)
  - Official wording: "Accessory buildings greater than 10 m2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Decks:** A building permit is needed for a new deck or raised platform over 600 mm (about 2 feet) high, any deck or platform at a principal entrance, and any deck for commercial or public use. Constructing, covering or enclosing a porch or deck also needs one.
  - Source: [Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/180182/)
  - Official wording: "Building a new deck or raised platform over 600 mm (23-5/8 inches)" … "Any deck or raised platform at the principal entrances to a building" … "Constructing, covering, or enclosing a porch or deck"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Garages and carports:** A detached garage is an accessory building: a permit is needed when over 10 m². Converting a garage to a dwelling or habitable space needs a permit.
  - Source: [Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/180182/)
  - Official wording: "Accessory buildings greater than 10 m2" … "Converting a garage or accessory building to a dwelling or habitable space"
  - Source: [Building Permits and Inspections, Is a Building Permit Required?](https://tofino.ca/business-development/building-development/building-permits-inspections/)
  - Official wording: "Sheds, garages, and other detached structures"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Zoning limits:** Accessory buildings: not built before the main building; at least 1.8 m from it; may sit 1 m from a rear or side lot line if in the rear yard; total floor area at most 5% of lot area or 62 m², whichever is greater; no dwelling use; height 5.5 m or 8 m depending on zone.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)
  - Official wording: "No accessory building or structure shall be independently erected on any lot" … "accessory buildings may be located 1 metre" … "Accessory buildings shall not be closer than 1.8 metres (6 feet) from the" … "The total combined gross floor area of accessory buildings shall not exceed" … "5% of the lot area or 62 square metres (665 square feet), whichever is the" … "An accessory building or structure shall not be used as a dwelling." … "exceed 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 (permits) and Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (size, height and location)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019, s. 3.3 and Schedule A, Title](https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/94955/Building%20Bylaw%20No.%201256,%202019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Tofino Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2, Title](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

In Tofino, the [Building Bylaw No. 1256](https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/94955/Building%20Bylaw%20No.%201256,%202019.pdf) leaves out an accessory building under 10 m² of floor area. The District's guide says accessory buildings over 10 m² need a permit. Exactly 10 m² is not addressed, so confirm with the Building Inspector.

- **Shed:** under 10 m², no building permit; larger needs one.
- **Deck:** a permit is needed for a new deck or raised platform over 600 mm high, any deck or platform at a principal entrance, and any deck for commercial or public use. Building, covering or enclosing a porch or deck also needs one.
- **Garage:** a detached garage is an accessory building, so a permit is needed when it is over 10 m². Converting a garage to a dwelling or other living space needs a permit.
- **Carport:** not addressed in the permit lists. Confirm with the Building Inspector.

## Good to know

- Exempt buildings must still meet the [Zoning Bylaw](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/): not built before the main building; at least 1.8 m from it; 1 m from a rear or side lot line if in the rear yard; total floor area at most 5% of lot area or 62 m², whichever is greater; no dwelling use; height of 5.5 m or 8 m depending on the zone. Check the bylaw's table for your zone.
- Permit fees are $9 per $1,000 of construction value ($120 minimum), and an accessory building over 10 m² needs a $1,000 security deposit at application.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Guide (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/180182/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/94955/Building%20Bylaw%20No.%201256,%202019.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)

## Related questions

- [Tofino building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/building-permit.md)
- [Tofino building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Tofino fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/fence-rules.md)
- [Tofino zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/zoning-lookup.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)
- [Ucluelet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 (PDF), s. 3.3 and Schedule A](https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/94955/Building%20Bylaw%20No.%201256,%202019.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Guide (PDF), District of Tofino](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/180182/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permits and Inspections, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/building-development/building-permits-inspections/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Tofino. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/deck-shed-garage-permit/_