Deck Builder in Vernon

Deck Builder in Vernon, BC

Vernon is the furthest north we build, and the numbers show it: the City requires 900 mm of frost cover, and the BC Building Code lists a heavier snow load here than in Kelowna. We design Vernon decks, pergolas and saunas around those conditions from the first sketch.

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Composite deck with glass railing overlooking Okanagan Lake

Vernon, BC

Colder Winters, Steeper Lots

Vernon sits near the north end of Okanagan Lake, with Kalamalka and Swan lakes close by and neighbourhoods climbing the surrounding hills. Okanagan Landing, Bella Vista and the Foothills all have sloped lots where a deck becomes the main outdoor living space, and those decks often stand tall on the downhill side.

The City's Official Community Plan maps a Hillside Development District and sets out separate development permit types for hillside and steep slope, fire interface and flood hazard. According to the City's development application form, hillside studies are required where at least 10% of the land has a slope of 12% or more, unless an exemption applies. We check where your lot falls before design work goes far.

Permits

Vernon Deck Permits: What You Need to Know

Deck and accessory-building permits in Vernon are issued by the City of Vernon under Building Bylaw #5900.

•Building Bylaw #5900 does not apply to an accessory building with a floor area under 10 m².
•A trellis, arbour or similar landscape structure on a single-family parcel also falls outside the bylaw.
•Zoning Bylaw 6000 defines a deck as a structure more than 0.6 m above grade without a roof or walls.
•Decks may project up to 0.6 m into a setback, or 1.0 m into a front or flanking side yard setback (Zoning Bylaw 6000, section 4.2.2).
•The building bylaw sets a minimum 900 mm of ground cover for frost protection, and permit site plans must show the location, setbacks and elevations of decks.
•Development applications in Fire Interface Areas 2 and 3 need a wildfire plan or covenant unless an exemption applies.

Source: City of Vernon Building Bylaw #5900, Zoning Bylaw 6000 (Section 4: Development Regulations) and Development Application Form, vernon.ca. Rules change, so we confirm them for every project.

Local Conditions

Building for Vernon Conditions

2.2 kPa Ground Snow

BC Building Code Appendix C lists Vernon at 405 m elevation with a ground snow load of 2.2 kPa, against 1.7 kPa for Kelowna. Covered decks, roofed pergolas and sauna roofs here are engineered for the heavier load.

Footings Below 900 mm

Vernon's bylaw calls for 900 mm of frost cover, deeper than the 600 mm used in West Kelowna and Summerland. With January design temperatures of -20 °C (2.5%) and -23 °C (1%), a footing that stops short can heave. We dig to the City's depth on every footing.

Hillsides Meet the Forest Edge

Steep ground and forested edges overlap in parts of Vernon, and the City has a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan dated 2024. When a lot falls in a fire interface or hillside area, we plan deck materials, clearances and footings around the permit conditions.

Neighbourhoods

Vernon Neighbourhoods We Build In

We take on Vernon projects in neighbourhoods including these.

Okanagan Landing
Bella Vista
Foothills
Blue Jay
Okanagan Hills
East Hill
Mission Hill
Middleton Mountain

Services

Outdoor Living Services in Vernon

For Vernon homeowners, we build the outdoor living and renovation projects listed below.

Custom Decks in VernonNew decks, rebuilds and upgrades, quoted in person and built by our own crew. Pergolas in VernonCustom pergolas on a deck, a patio or your existing concrete pad. Custom Saunas in VernonBackyard saunas custom built from the frame up by our own carpenters. Home Renovations in VernonBathrooms, kitchens, accessible showers and finishing work by the same crew.

Google Reviews

Reviews From EcoHaven Customers

Real Google reviews from homeowners who hired Keaton and Brandon. Rated 5.0 stars across 9 Google reviews.

Cole B.

Google review

We highly recommend Ecohaven Sustainable Homes for any of your building needs. They took our vision and made it a reality-our new pergola is exactly what we wanted and more! The team was professional, kept a clean work area, and showed exceptional work ethic and pride in their craftsmanship. The project was completed ahead of schedule, and we are enjoying it immensely. Thank You Ecohaven Homes

Terry L.

Google review

I’ve used Keaton on many custom projects around the house. Getting to know him, I’ve come to understand his family tree is full of home builders and it shows. His quality of work is outstanding and he is very reliable. This has led me to passing his number on to several friends over the years.

Kristin B.

Google review

EcoHaven Homes is such a refreshing company to work with. Their team has a great balance of professionalism and approachability, and you can tell they genuinely care about the quality of their work. What stood out most to me is how clearly they explain each step of the process, making something that can feel overwhelming much more straightforward. If you’re looking for a company that’s reliable, creative, and easy to communicate with, I would highly recommend EcoHaven Homes.

Read All 9 Reviews See Us on Google

FAQ

Vernon Deck Questions

Vernon's building bylaw does not publish a simple height exemption for decks, and its zoning bylaw treats any structure more than 0.6 m above grade without a roof or walls as a deck. Rather than guess, we confirm the requirement with the City for your design and handle the application.

Trellises, arbours and similar landscape structures on single-family lots fall outside the building bylaw, and so do accessory buildings under 10 m², which can include a compact sauna. Zoning setbacks still apply, and a roofed pergola or a larger sauna is a different case that we confirm with the City.

The City's Building Bylaw sets a minimum of 900 mm of ground cover for frost protection, so deck, pergola and sauna footings go at least that deep.

Possibly. The City's development application form calls for hillside studies where at least 10% of the land is sloped at 12% or more, unless an exemption applies. We review your lot during the consultation and explain what is likely to apply.

Timing depends on design, permits and weather, so we don't promise dates online. Your estimate sets out the schedule along with the cost.

Service Areas

Other Communities We Build In

Deck Builder in West KelownaOur home base. Hillside and wildfire-interface lots, with permits filed through the City's CityView Portal. Deck Builder in KelownaKelowna publishes its own deck and pergola bulletins. We design to them, plus a 1.7 kPa snow load. Deck Builder in Lake CountryLow-deck and shed exemptions vanish inside development permit areas. We check your parcel first. Deck Builder in PeachlandSteep lake-view lots, where a deck in a landslip hazard area needs a permit at any height. Deck Builder in SummerlandSummerland sets its own climate data, including a 2.1 kPa snow load. We design to the District's numbers.

Get a Deck Estimate in Vernon

Book a free on-site consultation in Vernon, and we'll take care of the City permits.

Get Your Free Estimate Call 250-878-7649