Tumbler Ridge permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Tumbler Ridge?
Short answer
In Tumbler Ridge the building bylaw requires a permit to construct any building or structure, and the District's page lists decks. No size cut-off for sheds is stated, and garages and carports are not listed either way. Confirm with the Building Official before you build.
Key facts
| Sheds | No size threshold is stated. The Building Bylaw requires a permit for construction of any building or structure, except matters exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code. Confirm with the Building Official before building a shed.Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600, 2013, s. 2.2, 2.6; Building & Utilities Permit Applications, Building permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo person shall commence or continue the construction of any building or structure, The provisions of this Bylaw do not apply to the matters exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code The easiest way to determine whether or not a building permit is needed is to contact the Building Official at Town Hall. |
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| Decks | No height threshold is stated. The District's page lists installing a deck among work needing a building permit. A deck is defined in the Zoning Bylaw as a structure attached to a dwelling; unattached decks are treated as accessory buildings.Building & Utilities Permit Applications, Building permit page; Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, s. 1 definitions, 'Deck' · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingInstallation of a fence, deck or other structure Deck means a structure attached to a dwelling unit, with no walls except for visual partitions and railings, Decks that are unattached to a dwelling unit are |
| Garages and carports | The Building Bylaw and the District's page do not list garages or carports as needing or not needing a permit (it mentions attached garages only for fire-guard drywall inspection). A garage or carport is a building or structure, and s. 2.6 requires a permit to construct one, subject to Part 1 BC Building Code exemptions.Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600, 2013, s. 2.6; Building & Utilities Permit Applications, Building permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo person shall commence or continue the construction of any building or structure, fire guard dry wall in attached garages; Construct a new building or dwelling |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings may not be in a front yard (except on a corner parcel), may not be over one storey (except a carriage suite), and may not sit in an easement or right-of-way. Table 6-1 sets accessory setbacks, heights (for example 8 m, one storey, in R1 and R2) and parcel coverage.Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, s. 4.21, Table 6-1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAccessory buildings or structures are not permitted in the front yard in any zone except in the case on a corner parcel. It is prohibited for accessory buildings to be more than one storey in height, with the exception of a carriage home. No accessory structure shall be located within a dedicated easement or right-of-way. Lines for Accessory Building Dimensional Standards included in Table 6-1 |
| Bylaw | Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600, 2013; Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025 (s. 4.21 and Table 6-1)Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600, 2013, title page; Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, s. 4.21 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBUILDING AND PLUMBING BYLAW No. 600, 2013 ACCESSORY USES, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES |
How it works
The Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600 requires a permit to build any building or structure in Tumbler Ridge, except work exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code. The bylaw and the District's permit page set no size limit for sheds and do not list garages or carports as needing or not needing a permit. The page lists installing a deck as needing a permit.
A deck is a structure attached to a dwelling in the Zoning Bylaw No. 747. An unattached deck is treated as an accessory building.
Steps
- Call the Building Official at Town Hall (250-242-4242) before you build, to confirm whether your shed, deck, garage or carport needs a permit.
- Check your zone's rules in Table 6-1 of the Zoning Bylaw (setbacks, height, parcel coverage).
- If a permit is needed, apply in person at Town Hall (see the building-permit answer).
Good to know
- Accessory buildings may not be in a front yard (except on a corner parcel), may not be over one storey (except a carriage suite), and may not sit in an easement or right-of-way.
- In R1 and R2 the accessory height limit is 8 m, one storey. Accessory setbacks as read are 1.5 m from a rear parcel line and 1 m from an interior side parcel line in R1, R2 and R3. Confirm in Table 6-1.
- An accessory building under 6.7 m² may sit next to an interior rear parcel line.
- An uncovered patio or sundeck may project into a side or rear yard if it is not closer than 1.5 m to the parcel line.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Chetwynd · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Hudson's Hope · Mackenzie · Taylor
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 600, 2013 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
- Building & Utilities Permit Applications, District of Tumbler Ridge (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.