Valemount permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Valemount?
In Valemount a shed or other accessory building over 10 m² needs a building permit; one under 10 m² does not. A deck needs a permit unless it is detached, less than 600 mm above the ground and has no roof. Enclosing a carport or converting a garage to living space also needs one.
Key facts
| Sheds | A permit is needed for an accessory building over 10 m² (107.6 ft²). A building under 10 m² does not need one.Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, s. 3.3(b); Building Services, When is a Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; Construct a new accessory building over 10 m2 |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck needs a building permit unless it is detached, less than 600 mm above the ground, and has no roof.Sources differ: The Village page lists any deck, with no height threshold; the bylaw exempts low detached decks. The bylaw is used.Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, s. 3.3(e); Building Services, When is a Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingdetached decks that are less than 600mm above and do not have a roof structure Remodel or construct a deck |
| Garages and carports | A new accessory building over 10 m² needs a permit. Enclosing a carport or changing a garage to living space also needs a permit.Building Services, When is a Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingConstruct a new accessory building over 10 m2 Enclose your carport or change your garage to living space |
| Zoning limits | R1: accessory building 6.0 m high at most, 1.0 m from rear and interior side lines (3.0 m on a corner side), and all accessory buildings together no more than 80% of the principal dwelling's coverage. R2: 5.0 m high (6.0 m second storey). Buildings under 10 m² are exempt from side and rear setbacks.Sources differ: Other zones differ (RR1: 6.0 m high, 4.5 m setbacks, 10% lot coverage). The Zoning Bylaw says a building under 10 m² is exempt from interior side and rear setbacks; the Village Building Services page says it must still meet the Zoning Bylaw setbacks. The bylaw is used. R1 total site coverage is 40%; R2 is 50%.Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, s. 5.4 (R1), 5.5 (R2), 1.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(a) Maximum Height 10.5m (34.45 ft.) 6.0m (19.68 ft.) (b) Rear 6.0m minimum 1.0m minimum 3.0m minimum Site coverage of all accessory buildings shall not exceed 80% of the principal dwelling. First Storey - 5.0m (16.4 ft.) is exempt from the Interior Side and Rear Setback requirements |
| Bylaw | Village of Valemount Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024 (s. 3.3); Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 (ss. 1.8, 2.12 and Part 5 zones)Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, Title; Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, Notes · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 892, 2024 Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 was adopted by the Village of Valemount Council on August 24, 2021 and became effective on that date. |
How it works
Under the Village of Valemount's Building Bylaw No. 892, an accessory building (such as a shed or garage) with a floor area over 10 m² (107.6 ft²) needs a building permit, and one under 10 m² does not. A deck needs a permit unless it is detached, less than 600 mm above the ground and has no roof. The Village also lists enclosing a carport or changing a garage to living space as work that needs a permit. Where no permit is needed you must still follow all other bylaws.
Steps
- Check the zoning limits below for your lot with the Land Use Planner (planner@valemount.ca).
- If a permit is needed, email Form B and your drawings to building@valemount.ca (see the building-permit answer).
- Pay the fees listed in building-permit-fees, including the refundable security deposit.
Good to know
- R1 zone: an accessory building can be at most 6.0 m high and must be 1.0 m from the rear and interior side lines (3.0 m on a corner side). All accessory buildings together can be no more than 80% of the principal dwelling's coverage.
- R2 zone: accessory buildings can be 5.0 m high (6.0 m on a second storey).
- Other zones differ (for example RR1 allows 6.0 m height with 4.5 m setbacks and 10% lot coverage), so confirm your zone.
- The Zoning Bylaw (No. 847) exempts buildings under 10 m² from the side and rear setbacks. The Village's Building Services page says they must still meet setbacks, so confirm with the Village.
- The Village page lists any deck as needing a permit, without the height exemption in the bylaw. Confirm with the Building Inspector.
- A fence is covered in the fence-rules answer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
McBride · Clearwater · 100 Mile House · Barriere · Williams Lake · Quesnel
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024 (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Services, Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 869, 2023 (PDF), Village of Valemount (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.