Sheds/Detached Garages

An accessory building means a building separate and subordinate to the main building and use which is incidental to the main building and is located on the same parcel of land. An accessory building to a residential use means a garage, carport, shed, storage buildings, hobby greenhouse, deck, patio, porch, permanently installed private swimming pool or hot tub, and similar buildings. Where an accessory development is attached to the main building on a lot by a roof or an open or enclosed structure, except carports where vehicular access to the rear yard is not obstructed, said accessory development is part of the main building and not an accessory building and shall, unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw, adhere to the yard and other requirements for main buildings.

Accessory Buildings larger than 10 meters square (107 square feet) in area or have 1 dimension which exceeds 3 meters (32 square feet) requires a Development Permit. 

Fore more information on foundation types, please refer to the building codes or the building safety codes officer at 780-573-1837 - Dale Vallee.

Typical regulations in the residential district include:

• not located in the front yard;
• a minimum of 2.0 m from the dwelling;
• no closer to the front line than the front of the principal building except in the case of double fronting or corner sites, in which case the minimum required yard may be reduced to 4.5 m from one front line, and the minimum required side yard adjacent to the side line may be reduced to 1.5 m where, in the opinion of the Development Authority, any adjacent developments would not be adversely affected;
• no closer than 1.2 m to the rear line, providing there is no encroachment of any part of the building beyond the rear line, except that where the vehicle doors of a garage face a lane abutting the site, the garage shall be no closer than 5.0 m from the rear line;
• no closer than 1.2 m from the side line;
• such that no roof overhang is located within 0.45 m of a side or rear line;
• maximum height 5.0 meters (16.4 feet);
• site coverage: cannot exceed maximum site coverage allowed on site, cannot exceed the floor area of the existing principal building; or cannot exceed 12% of the site area unless otherwise stated in the District.

Step 1:  Complete the development permit application form and site plan and return it to the department for review and issuance. In our busy season, this may take up to a few weeks to be reviewed and issued. Please apply early to avoid any delays.

Step 2:  Contact The Inspections Group Inc. at 780-594-4301 to verify if a building permit is required. If so, you may complete the necessary forms and return it to The Inspections Group Inc.  anytime after the development permit is submitted. The Inspections Group Inc. will hold on to your application until the Development Permit is issued by the Town.

Once the building has received a final inspection and permit services report, the building may be utilized.  Other safety codes permits (such as electrical may be required if you are putting in this service).

Tip:

A shed/detached garage foundation will require professional involvement (stamped) for a detached garage if is larger than 55 sq meters (592 sq ft).

Also requires engineer stamp if structure has a basement or crawlspace, or, if is a grade beam and pile design, or preserved wood foundation (PWF).

There are a few options to set a shed/detached garage on a foundation.

-PWF skids on grade; or
-Floating foundation and/or piles; or
-Metal helical piles (engineered design and torque logs are required.)

See Section 5.1:  Accessory Buildings in residential districts for more information.

See Section 5.2:  Accessory Buildings in non-residential districts for more information.

Land Use Bylaw link: here