The City of North Vancouver regulates sheds as accessory buildings under section 514 of Zoning Bylaw No. 6700. A shed under 108 square feet (about 10 m²) doesn’t need a building permit, but it still has to meet the City’s rules for size, height and location. Looking for the other municipality? See the District of North Vancouver Shed Regulations.
Permit-free under10 m²108 square feet. Bylaws still apply.
Permit needed over10 m²A building permit is required.
Max height3.66 m12 ft. 4.57 m (15 ft) if the roof is steeper than 4 in 12.
Rear setback1.22 m4 ft from the rear lot line.
Side setback0.61 m2 ft from an interior side line.
Max total area55.7 m²600 square feet, or 0.1 × lot area if less.
Quick answer: do you need a permit for a shed in the City?
- Under 108 square feet: no building permit, but the shed must follow City bylaws.
- Over 108 square feet: a building permit is required.
- Power, plumbing or sleeping space: expect extra permits, even for a small building.
City of North Vancouver accessory building rules
The City’s accessory building handout covers the one-unit and two-unit residential zones (RS-1, RS-2, RT-1 and RT-2). It applies to garages, carports, sheds and permanent storage containers alike.
CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER ACCESSORY BUILDING RULES (RESIDENTIAL ZONES):
| Building permit | Not required under 108 square feet (about 10 m²). Required over that size. |
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| Total floor area, one-unit lot | The lesser of 0.1 times the lot area or 55.7 m² (600 square feet), for all accessory buildings combined |
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| Total floor area, two-unit lot | The lesser of 0.13 times the lot area or 81.8 m² (880 square feet) |
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| Lot with a coach house | 10 m² (108 square feet) total |
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| Maximum height | 3.658 m (12 ft), or 4.57 m (15 ft) when the roof slope is steeper than 4 in 12 |
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| Floor levels | One floor level only |
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| Location | Behind the front face of the house. Over 10 m², it must sit in the rear 25% of the lot depth. |
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| From the rear lot line | 1.22 m (4 ft) |
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| From an interior side lot line | 0.61 m (2 ft) |
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| From an exterior side lot line | 3.048 m (10 ft) |
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| From the house | 3.048 m (10 ft) |
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| At a corner of two streets, a street and a lane, or two lanes | 4.57 m (15 ft) |
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Two details catch people out. First, the floor area limit counts every accessory building on the lot, so an existing garage uses up part of the allowance. Second, a storage container or pod that’s installed permanently counts as an accessory building and follows the same height, size and setback rules. A temporary one doesn’t, but it can’t block required parking.
Is your lot in the City?
The City is the compact waterfront area around Lonsdale. The District of North Vancouver surrounds it and has its own rules. Check your property tax notice or ask the building department if you’re not sure.
Rules that apply even without a building permit
- Zoning: location, height, setbacks and size still apply to every shed.
- Electrical: a shed with lights, outlets or a heater needs an electrical permit, which is issued through Technical Safety BC.
- Use: sleeping, working long hours or running a business in a shed can trigger a building permit even when it’s small.
- Easements and utilities: keep a shed off sewer, water and hydro rights-of-way shown on the property survey.
For the province-wide picture, see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit in BC. For a finished example, the North Vancouver Backyard Office shows a small building that doubles as a workspace.
Before you build
- Confirm your zone, then read the accessory building rules for it.
- Add up every accessory building already on the lot against the floor area limit.
- Get any answer you rely on in writing, and keep a copy.
Who to contact
See building permits and zoning on the City of North Vancouver website. These rules are a general guide only, and the official bylaw governs, so always confirm with the City before construction.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in the City of North Vancouver?
Not for a structure under 108 square feet. Anything larger needs a building permit, and every shed must still follow zoning.
How close to the property line can a shed be?
It must sit 1.22 m (4 ft) from the rear lot line, 0.61 m (2 ft) from an interior side line and 3.048 m (10 ft) from an exterior side line and from the house.
How big can a shed be in the City of North Vancouver?
On a one-unit lot, all accessory buildings combined can’t exceed the lesser of 0.1 times the lot area or 55.7 m² (600 square feet). A lot with a coach house is limited to 10 m² (108 square feet).
Can I build a two-storey shed or garage?
No. Accessory buildings are limited to one floor level, apart from an unfinished cellar under a building that serves a one-unit home.
Can I put a shed in my front yard?
No. Accessory buildings must sit behind the front face of the house.
What the BC Building Code says
BCBC 2024 Division A 1.1.1.1(2)(e) says the Code doesn’t apply to accessory buildings less than 10 m² in building area that don’t create a hazard, and “hazard” isn’t defined, so the local building official decides. The 108 square foot permit figure on this page comes from the City’s own accessory building handout, and the size, height and setback numbers come from Zoning Bylaw No. 6700.
What isn’t confirmed
- The building permit fee for a larger shed.
- The Building Department phone number.
- Whether a site plan is needed when no permit applies.
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings built across Metro Vancouver.
