West Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?
In West Kelowna, a deck or patio less than 0.6 m (about 2 ft) above the ground is exempt from the Building Regulations Bylaw. No City text states a size limit for sheds, garages or carports, so call the Building Department at 778-797-8820 before you build.
Key facts
| Sheds | Not confirmed. The bylaw, permit page and checklist state no size threshold for sheds, garages or carports. |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck or patio less than 0.6 m (about 2 ft) above the ground is exempt from the Building Regulations Bylaw; the exemption is limited to decks that low. Residential small projects (decks, pools, retaining walls) have a 10-day target for a complete application.Building Regulations Bylaw No. 0086, s. 5.1.4; Building permits and inspections, Target Permitting Timelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDecks or patios which are less than 0.6 metre from the ground Residential small project (decks, pools, retaining walls, etc.) | 10 days |
| Garages and carports | Not confirmed. The bylaw, permit page and checklist state no size threshold for sheds, garages or carports. |
| Zoning limits | Accessory buildings (Zoning s. 3.9): no dwelling use; not into the front or exterior side siting distance; over 2.0 m high, at least 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines. Combined limit for all accessory buildings: 2 buildings and 60 m² in RC1 to RC4, 3 buildings and 100 m² in other residential zones. Zone height limit is 5.0 m in most residential zones, 8.0 m in A1, RU4 and RU5.Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.9 Accessory Buildings, s. 3.9.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo accessory building or structure shall be used as a dwelling. No accessory building or structure shall project into the required minimum siting distance from the front or exterior side parcel boundary unless otherwise exempted in this Bylaw. it shall be a minimum of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) from the rear and interior side parcel boundaries and the eaves shall be a minimum of 0.9 m (3.0 ft) RC1, RC2, RC3 or RC4 2 60 m2 (645.8 ft2) All other Residential Zones 3 100 m2 (1,076.4 ft2) Accessory buildings and structures 5.0 m (16.4 ft) Accessory buildings and structures 8.0 m (26.2 ft) Maximum floor area of all accessory |
| Bylaw | City of West Kelowna Building Regulation Bylaw No. 0086, 2009; City of West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, 2024 (s. 3.9)Building Regulations Bylaw No. 0086, s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.9 Accessory Buildings, s. 3.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCITY OF WEST KELOWNA BUILDING REGULATION BYLAW NO. 0086, 2009 Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, 2024 3.9 ACCESSORY USES, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES |
How it works
Under the City's Building Regulations Bylaw 0086, a deck or patio less than 0.6 m (about 2 ft) above the ground is exempt, and the exemption is limited to decks that low. The bylaw lists new buildings, additions and alterations as needing a permit, so a higher deck is covered by those general rules.
For sheds, garages and carports, the bylaw and the City's permit page and checklist state no size threshold, and none says whether a detached garage or carport needs a permit. The bylaw also applies "in addition to the exemptions specified in the Code" (the BC Building Code), which this answer does not cover. Ask the Building Department.
Steps
- Call 778-797-8820 or email building@westkelownacity.ca with the size, height and location of the structure.
- Check your zone on WestMap for setbacks and any Development Permit Area.
- If a permit is needed, apply at City Hall with the checklist documents.
Good to know
- Zoning applies either way. Under Zoning Bylaw 0320 section 3.9, accessory buildings cannot be used as a dwelling and cannot extend into the front or exterior side siting distance.
- Over 2.0 m high, an accessory building must be at least 1.5 m from the rear and interior side lines.
- All accessory buildings combined are limited to 2 buildings and 60 m² in RC1 to RC4, and 3 buildings and 100 m² in other residential zones.
- Zone height limits also apply: 5.0 m in most residential zones, 8.0 m in A1, RU4 and RU5. Some zones limit accessory buildings to one storey.
- A bylaw notice for breaking the accessory building rules is $100.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Peachland · Kelowna · Lake Country · Summerland · Penticton · Vernon
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Regulations Bylaw No. 0086 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.9 Accessory Buildings (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building permits and inspections, City of West Kelowna (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.