{"title":"Vernon permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","question":"Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?","slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Vernon","url":"https://www.vernon.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Vernon, a shed under 10 m² and a deck within 600 mm of the ground all round need no building permit. A shed of 10 m² or more needs one, and so does a garage or carport. Zoning rules on size and placement apply either way.","aliases":["shed permit vernon","deck permit vernon bc","garage permit vernon","carport permit vernon","accessory building vernon"],"cost":"Application fee $150 (simple building) or $250 (complex), plus permit fee and security deposit. See building-permit-fees.","how_long":"The City's page does not state a review time.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply online","value":"https://ecommerce2.vernon.ca/TempestApps/eapply/prospero/dashboard/Template/Welcome.aspx?TemplateName=BUILDING%20PERMIT"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Permits","value":"250-550-3634"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Community Services Building","value":"3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Permit Application page","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application"},{"title":"Section 4 - Development Regulations, Zoning Bylaw 6000 (PDF)","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-4-development-regulations.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Vernon building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Vernon fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Vernon secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},"facts":{"shed":{"label":"Sheds","value":"A shed or other accessory building under 10 m² and creating no hazard needs no building permit (adding plumbing does). One of 10 m² or more needs a building permit.","short":"No if under 10 m², no hazard","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3(b)","quotes":["an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","section":"Do I Need a Permit?","quotes":["Accessory buildings with an area less than 10 m² and that does not create a hazard.","Adding plumbing to an accessory building will require a building permit."]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.1","quotes":["unless a building official has issued a valid and subsisting permit for the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"deck":{"label":"Decks","value":"No permit for a deck within 600 mm of grade around its entire perimeter, or for replacing a rotten deck structure with a similar product. Replacing a whole deck or changing its size needs a permit.","short":"No if within 600 mm of grade all round","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","section":"Do I Need a Permit?","quotes":["Decks that are within 600mm of grade around the entire deck.","Replacing roofing, siding, or rotten deck structure for a similar product.","Replacing a whole deck or changing its size will require a building permit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"garage_carport":{"label":"Garages and carports","value":"No separate rule is stated. Only accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt, so a garage or carport of 10 m² or more needs a building permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3(b) and 10.4(k)","quotes":["an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres;","except for garages, carports and garden structures located on land,"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","section":"Apply for","quotes":["- Institutional Buildings - Mixed-Use Buildings - Accessory Structures ## Before you Start Please review the Building Permit checklist to ensure you have all required information and documents."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"zoning_limits":{"label":"Zoning limits","value":"In housing zones: no accessory building in a front yard (fences excepted, and unless it holds a permitted accessory dwelling or the lot is double-fronting); total accessory coverage no more than 14% of lot area or 100 m², whichever is less. In the MUS zone, accessory buildings are limited to 4.5 m high; setbacks depend on lot class.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-4-development-regulations.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 4 Development Regulations (PDF)","section":"s. 4.3.2 and 4.3.4","quotes":["No Accessory Buildings or Structures, except for fences, are allowed in a Front Yard","The total Lot coverage of Accessory Buildings or Structures shall not exceed 14% of","the Lot Area, or have a total footprint greater than 100 m2, whichever is less."]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-9_1-mus.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 9.1 MUS (PDF)","section":"s. 9.1.5-9.1.6","quotes":["Accessory Building(s) 4.5 m"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw No. 5900 (s. 3.3 exemptions) and Zoning Bylaw No. 6000 (s. 4.3 Accessory Development)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3","quotes":["This bylaw does not apply to"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-4-development-regulations.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 4 Development Regulations (PDF)","section":"s. 4.3","quotes":["Landscaping. 4.3 Accessory Development 4.3.1 No person shall erect or permit to be erected an antenna, satellite dish/receiver, radio or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Building Bylaw 5900](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf) exempts a few small structures from a building permit. [Zoning Bylaw 6000](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-4-development-regulations.pdf) section 4.3 still controls where accessory buildings may go and how big they can be, even when no permit is needed.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Shed or other accessory building: under 10 m² and creating no hazard, no permit (adding plumbing does need one). At 10 m² or more, a building permit is needed.\n- Deck: no permit if it is within 600 mm of grade around its entire perimeter, or for replacing a rotten deck structure with a similar product. Replacing a whole deck or changing its size needs a permit. The 600 mm rule is stated on the City's page, not in the bylaw text.\n- Garage or carport: no separate rule is stated. Only accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt, so a garage or carport of 10 m² or more needs a building permit. Confirm with the Building counter.\n- Housing zones: no accessory building in a front yard (fences excepted, unless it holds a permitted accessory dwelling or the lot is double-fronting). Total accessory building coverage is limited to 14% of the lot area or 100 m², whichever is less.\n- In the MUS zone, accessory buildings are limited to 4.5 m high, and setbacks depend on lot class. Other zones have their own limits.\n- Decks may project into setbacks by up to 0.6 m (1.0 m in a front or flanking side setback).\n- Call 250-550-3634 before you start if you are unsure.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-4-development-regulations.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 4 Development Regulations (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-9_1-mus.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 9.1 MUS (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/government-services/contact-us","title":"Contact Us, City of Vernon","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"}}