Victoria permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In the City of Victoria, the Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw does not apply to a platform less than 0.6 m above grade or an accessory building under 10 m², so those need no permit under it. Larger buildings fall under its permit rule. Zoning limits on size and location still apply.
Key facts
| Sheds | The Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw does not apply to accessory buildings with a building area under 10 m², so none is needed under it for those. Larger accessory buildings fall under the bylaw's permit requirement. Zoning limits still apply.Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113, sections 5 and 6, s. 5(2)(f), s. 6(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaccessory buildings with a building area of less than 10 square meters. No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy of any |
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| Decks | Platforms less than 0.6 m above grade are outside the Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw. For higher decks the City points to its Permit Finder and posts example deck plans.Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113, sections 5 and 6, s. 5(2)(b); Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingplatforms less than 0.6 meters above grade; use the Permit Finder to determine if your project needs a permit Deck example plans 2013 |
| Garages and carports | Not confirmed. The bylaw has no separate rule for garages or carports. |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings: rear yard only; max floor area 37 m²; max height 3.5 m; at least 0.6 m from side and rear lot lines; 3.5 m on a flanking street; 2.4 m from the main building; max 25% of the rear yard. No dwelling use, no bath/shower/toilet, and only one drainage fixture.Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3 section 27, Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3, s. 27; Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule F Accessory Building Regulations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessory Buildings must be located in the Rear Yard; The Floor Area of an Accessory Building must not exceed 37m2; The Height of an Accessory Building must not exceed 3.5m; The Accessory Building must not occupy more than 25% of the area of the rear yard; have more than one plumbing fixture that requires drainage Accessory buildings must be located in the rear yard Floor area, of all floor levels combined Separation space between an accessory |
| Bylaw | Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw No. 17-113 (permits); Zoning Bylaw 2018 (No. 18-072), s. 27; Zoning Regulation Bylaw (No. 80-159), Schedule F.Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113, sections 5 and 6, title; Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule F Accessory Building Regulations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING AND PLUMBING REGULATION BYLAW BYLAW NO. 17-113 This consolidation is a copy of a bylaw SCHEDULE F - ACCESSORY BUILDING REGULATIONS |
How it works
The City of Victoria's Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 does not apply to platforms less than 0.6 m above grade or to accessory buildings with a building area under 10 m². Larger accessory buildings fall under the bylaw's permit requirement. For decks higher than that, the City points to its Permit Finder and posts example deck plans. The bylaw has no separate rule for garages or carports, so treat them as accessory buildings and confirm with Permit Services.
Zoning limits apply whether or not you need a permit.
Steps
- Check the deck height above ground, or the floor area of the shed, garage or carport.
- Find your zone and which zoning bylaw covers your property (see the zoning-lookup answer).
- If unsure whether a permit is needed, use the Permit Finder, call 250-361-0344 or email permits@victoria.ca.
- If a permit is needed, apply online with a site plan and drawings.
Good to know
- Accessory building limits (Zoning Bylaw 2018, s. 27, and Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule F, which has the same limits): rear yard only; up to 37 m² floor area; up to 3.5 m high; at least 0.6 m from side and rear lot lines (3.5 m on a flanking street); at least 2.4 m from the main building; no more than 25% of the rear yard.
- An accessory building cannot be used as a dwelling, cannot have a bath, shower or toilet, and can have only one drainage fixture. Schedule F also bars roof decks on accessory buildings.
- Under Zoning Bylaw 2018, lot coverage, setback and height rules also apply to decks and patios more than 0.6 m above average grade.
- An accessory building for parking or storing a vehicle is also subject to the off-street parking schedule.
What you'll need
- Site plan showing property lines, setbacks and the building
- Building plans
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · View Royal · Saanich · Colwood · Langford
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF), sections 5 and 6 (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 2018 (PDF), Part 3 section 27 (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule F Accessory Building Regulations (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits, City of Victoria (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.