Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in New Westminster? (BC Rules Explained)
Quick Answer
In New Westminster, you generally need a building permit for any deck more than 0.6 m (24 inches) above grade, any deck attached to the house, and any covered deck or roof structure. Low, freestanding, uncovered decks under 0.6 m usually don't require a permit — but they must still respect zoning setbacks. Most Metro Vancouver municipalities follow similar thresholds under the BC Building Code.
Every summer we get calls from homeowners partway through a DIY deck — or partway through buying a house — who've just discovered the deck needed a permit. It's one of the most common and most expensive surprises in residential construction.
Here's how deck permits actually work in New Westminster and the rest of Metro Vancouver, from a crew that pulls these permits routinely.
When a deck needs a permit in New Westminster
A permit is required in New Westminster when the deck surface is more than 0.6 m (24") above grade at any point, when the deck attaches to the house structure, or when it carries a roof or cover. Freestanding decks under 0.6 m with no roof are typically exempt from a building permit but still subject to zoning setbacks and lot coverage rules.
- › Raised decks (over 0.6 m / 24" above grade) — permit required, and guards (railings) at least 1.07 m high are mandatory once the deck is 1.8 m above grade.
- › Attached decks — anything bolted to the house with a ledger board involves the building envelope, so a permit is required regardless of height.
- › Covered decks and patio roofs — a roof structure is a building addition; permit required, and it counts toward lot coverage.
- › Replacing an existing deck — rebuilding on the same footprint usually still requires a permit if the original thresholds apply. "It was already there" is not an exemption.
What about Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and other cities?
The BC Building Code sets the baseline, so the 0.6 m height threshold is common across Metro Vancouver — but each municipality layers its own zoning bylaws on top: setbacks from property lines, maximum lot coverage, and rules for secondary suites and laneway-facing yards.
Sloped lots — which are everywhere in New Westminster, Coquitlam and North Vancouver — deserve special mention. A deck can be 18 inches above grade at the house and 6 feet above grade at the far corner. The highest point is what counts.
What happens if you build without a permit?
- › Stop-work orders and fines — municipalities can halt the build and levy daily fines until the work is permitted or removed.
- › Retroactive permits cost more — you'll often need engineering letters and may have to open up finished work for inspection.
- › Insurance risk — insurers can deny claims tied to unpermitted structures, including someone falling from an unpermitted raised deck.
- › Resale problems — buyers' lawyers and home inspectors flag unpermitted decks, and deals routinely get renegotiated or collapse over them.
How the permit process works (and how long it takes)
For a typical raised residential deck, the package includes a site plan showing setbacks, structural drawings (footing sizes, beam and joist spans, guard details), and the application forms. In New Westminster, straightforward deck permits are commonly issued in 2–6 weeks; complex or heritage-area properties take longer.
When Valart builds your deck, we handle the drawings, the application and the inspections as part of the job. You don't stand in line at city hall — we've done it enough times to know exactly what each municipality wants to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can a deck be without a permit in BC?
The common threshold is 0.6 m (24 inches) above grade, measured at the highest point of the deck surface. Above that — or if the deck attaches to the house or carries a roof — you need a building permit in most BC municipalities, including New Westminster.
How much does a deck permit cost in New Westminster?
Municipal permit fees for a residential deck are typically a few hundred dollars, scaled to construction value. If engineering is needed (tall decks, sloped lots, unusual spans), add roughly $1,500–$3,000 for structural drawings and letters.
Can I legalize a deck that was built without a permit?
Usually yes, through a retroactive permit. The municipality may require engineering review, partial deconstruction to expose framing and footings for inspection, and upgrades to current code — commonly railing height and footing depth.
Who is responsible for getting the deck permit — me or my contractor?
Legally the homeowner is responsible, but a professional deck builder should manage the entire permit process for you. If a contractor asks you to skip the permit on a raised or attached deck, treat it as a red flag.