Tofino permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

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

Tofino, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

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.Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019, s. 3.3 and Schedule A, s. 3.3(b); Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; Accessory buildings greater than 10 m2
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.Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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
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.Building Permit Guide, Building and Development Administration; Building Permits and Inspections, Is a Building Permit Required? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Accessory buildings greater than 10 m2 Converting a garage or accessory building to a dwelling or habitable space Sheds, garages, and other detached structures
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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.
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 (permits) and Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (size, height and location)Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019, s. 3.3 and Schedule A, Title; Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording District of Tofino Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997

How it works

In Tofino, the Building Bylaw No. 1256 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: 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

The same question in other places

Ucluelet · Gold River · Port Alberni · Cumberland · Courtenay · Comox

Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Building Bylaw No. 1256, 2019 (PDF), s. 3.3 and Schedule A (read 2026-11-08)
Building Permit Guide (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.1.2 (read 2026-11-08)
Building Permits and Inspections, District of Tofino (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. How answers are checked.