A simple guide to building a garage in Parkland County — accessory building rules, setback requirements, development permits, and how to plan your project the right way before construction begins.
Building a garage on your acreage can be one of the best upgrades you make. Whether you need storage, a workshop, room for equipment, or a place to keep vehicles out of the weather, a garage adds real value and functionality.
But before you start clearing land or ordering a building package, it’s important to understand how Parkland County regulates garages through their Land Use Bylaw. Setbacks, size, location, and permits all play a role — and getting this part right early can save you delays and headaches later.
In Parkland County, a garage is generally considered an accessory building. That means it supports the main residence on the property (similar to sheds, workshops, or other outbuildings).
Accessory buildings still need to follow the County’s regulations for placement, setbacks, and approvals.
One of the biggest issues people run into is placing a garage too close to a road or property line.
Parkland County has minimum setbacks for accessory buildings, including garages:
7.5 m from an internal subdivision road
13.0 m from a municipal road right-of-way
45.0 m from an arterial road right-of-way
3.0 m from side property lines (when not adjacent to a roadway)
3.0 m from rear property lines (when not adjacent to a roadway)
These rules help ensure safe access, reduce conflicts with neighbors, and protect road corridors.
In most cases, yes — you will need a development permit before you build a garage in Parkland County.
However, Parkland County’s own accessory building permit guide confirms that accessory buildings under 10 m² (108 ft²) typically do not require a development permit.
For anything bigger (which most garages are), expect to go through the permit process. Parkland County also notes that development permits review the use, location, and size of buildings under the Land Use Bylaw.
Most garage applications go smoother when you submit clean drawings upfront.
Typical permit requirements include things like:
Site plan (showing where the garage sits on the parcel)
Building/floor plan (dimensions and layout)
Elevations (height, exterior appearance, and overall design)
The better your plan is upfront, the fewer back-and-forth revisions you deal with later.
Garage size limits in Parkland County depend on things like:
your land use district (zoning)
parcel size
overall site coverage rules
and how the garage relates to the main dwelling
Instead of guessing, the smartest move is to confirm your allowable maximum size before committing to a building package.
This is especially important if you’re planning a large shop-style garage, higher walls, a mezzanine, or equipment storage.
Sometimes a garage layout makes sense in real life — but doesn’t fit the standard setbacks on paper.
If your garage doesn’t meet a setback requirement, Parkland County may allow you to apply for a variance, but that usually means you need a strong reason and a clean site layout that shows why it’s justified.
This is where planning matters most, because a small adjustment early can prevent a long approval process later.
Even when your garage design is straightforward, there are a few things that can cause problems:
building too close to an easement or right-of-way
placing the garage in a low area with poor drainage
conflicts with septic system layouts or future expansion
environmental considerations (wetlands, trees, low spots)
A quick site review and layout plan before construction can prevent expensive rework.
Building a garage in Parkland County can be a great investment — but it’s important to plan it properly before you start.
If you follow the setback requirements, confirm permits early, and choose the right location on the property, the project becomes much smoother and far less stressful.
If you’re planning a garage and want help with layout, planning, and getting your site ready the right way, reach out to Prairie Acre Developments anytime.
