---
title: White Rock permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
question: "Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?"
place: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/white-rock
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of White Rock
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit.json"
---

# White Rock permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages

**Question:** Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage?

**Short answer:** In the City of White Rock a deck, shed, garage or carport may need a building permit, and the City's two guides differ on small sheds. One says sheds over 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²); the other lists every new accessory building. Call the Building Department at 604-541-2149 before you build.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of White Rock, https://www.whiterockcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees are in the building-permit-fees answer. The 2026 application fee is $227 for an addition or alteration to an existing home. Demolishing an accessory building is $100.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department, 604-541-2149
- In person: Planning and Development Services, City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue, White Rock, BC V4B 1Y6 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Sheds:** The Good Neighbour Guide says a building permit is required for sheds or ancillary buildings larger than 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²). The Guide for Building Permit Applications lists any new accessory building or structure without a size threshold. (Sources differ: Two City documents differ: the Good Neighbour Guide (2026) gives a 9.3 m² threshold; the permit guide (Feb 2025) lists all new accessory buildings. The bylaw excludes buildings exempted by the BC Building Code, whose threshold is not stated in the City text read. Confirm with the Building Department (604-541-2149).)
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide, Ancillary buildings](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "A Building Permit is required for sheds or ancillary buildings larger than 100 sq. ft."
  - Source: [Guide for Building Permit Applications (PDF, February 2025), Permits required list](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/217/Guide-for-Building-Permit-Applications-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Constructing a new accessory building or accessory structure."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, s. 5.3(a)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "buildings or structures exempted by Division A Part 1 of the Building Code"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Decks:** A permit may not be needed for permeable decks less than 0.6 m (2 ft) high. A building permit is required for impermeable decks and for structurally supported decks regardless of height. Covering or enclosing a porch or sundeck also needs a permit.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide, Decks](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "A building permit may not be required for:" … "Permeable decks less than 0.6 m (2 ft) high." … "Structurally supported decks regardless of height."
  - Source: [Guide for Building Permit Applications (PDF, February 2025), Permits required list](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/217/Guide-for-Building-Permit-Applications-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Constructing, covering or enclosing a porch or sundeck."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Garages and carports:** The Feb 2025 permit guide lists any new accessory building or structure. The 2026 Good Neighbour Guide says a permit is required for sheds or ancillary buildings larger than 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²), and the Zoning Bylaw counts detached garages and carports as ancillary buildings. Confirm with the Building Department.
  - Source: [Guide for Building Permit Applications (PDF, February 2025), Permits required list](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/217/Guide-for-Building-Permit-Applications-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Constructing a new accessory building or accessory structure."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, s. 3 Definitions](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "includes accessory dwelling units, detached garages, detached carports, detached workshops and storage sheds."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide, Ancillary buildings](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "A Building Permit is required for sheds or ancillary buildings larger than 100 sq. ft."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Zoning limits:** In the RS-1 zone: only one ancillary building per lot; not in a required front or exterior side yard; at least 3.0 m from the house; 1.5 m from rear and interior side lot lines; height up to 5.0 m. Total lot coverage 40%, including sheds, garages and covered decks. Other zones differ (e.g. 4.0 m in RS-3).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, s. 6.1.10](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "there shall be not more than one ancillary building per lot." … "ancillary buildings or structures shall not be located in any required front yard or" … "shall not be sited less than 3.0m (9.84ft) from a"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, s. 6.1.8](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "ancillary buildings and structures shall not exceed a height of 5.0m (16.40ft)."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, s. 6.1.4](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "The maximum lot coverage is 40%."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, s. 6.3.8](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "ancillary buildings and structures shall not exceed a height of 4.0m (13.12ft)"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide, Ancillary buildings](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "A minimum 1.5 m setback from all property lines is required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 1928; Zoning Bylaw, 2024, No. 2506
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 1928"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506, Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "WHITE ROCK ZONING BYLAW, 2024, No. 2506"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Two City documents give different answers for sheds. The Good Neighbour Guide (2026) says a building permit is required for sheds or ancillary buildings larger than 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²). The Guide for Building Permit Applications (February 2025) lists any new accessory building or structure, with no size threshold. The [Building Bylaw 1928](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF) excludes buildings exempted by the BC Building Code, but the City text does not say what that threshold is.

Garages and carports: the Zoning Bylaw counts them as ancillary buildings, and the City does not state a separate rule. The same two documents apply.

Decks: a permit may not be needed for a permeable deck less than 0.6 m (2 ft) high. A permit is required for an impermeable deck, and for a structurally supported deck regardless of height. Covering or enclosing a porch or sundeck also needs one.

## Steps

1. Look up your zone (see zoning-lookup) and read its section of the [Zoning Bylaw 2506](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024).
2. Call 604-541-2149 to confirm whether your project needs a permit.
3. If it does, book an intake appointment (see building-permit).

## Good to know

- In the RS-1 zone: only one ancillary building per lot; not in a required front or exterior side yard; at least 3.0 m from the house; 1.5 m from rear and interior side lot lines; height up to 5.0 m. Other zones differ (for example, 4.0 m height in RS-3).
- Total lot coverage in RS-1 is 40%, including sheds, garages and covered decks.
- Roof drainage must go to the municipal storm system.
- Check your zone in WROMS, the City's online map.

## Official forms and pages

- [Guide for Building Permit Applications (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/217/Guide-for-Building-Permit-Applications-PDF)
- [Application Forms and Guidelines](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/171/Applications-Forms-Guidelines)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2506 (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)

## Related questions

- [White Rock building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit.md)
- [White Rock building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit-fees.md)
- [White Rock fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/fence-rules.md)
- [White Rock zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/zoning-lookup.md)
- [White Rock tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/tree-removal.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Guide for Building Permit Applications (PDF, February 2025), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/217/Guide-for-Building-Permit-Applications-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Guide (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 1928 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw 2554 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12092/Bylaw-2554---2026-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of White Rock. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit/_