Blog Archives

Tips and tricks to making sure you get the shed you want

Radiant Roof Sheathing & Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters & Radiant Roof Sheathing:

As a homeowner and private contractor, I understand the importance of sustainability. Having worked on Long Island Homes for over 3 years now, I’ve seen a lot of things that are commonplace, along with some that are newer to me.

Tankless water heaters and radiant roof sheathing are among the most innovative energy-saving home improvement technologies available today. Many homeowners overlook these devices. However, they can help people save a lot of money on energy expenses.


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Types of Prefab Houses

Pre-Fab Houses

Pre-Fab Houses

“Pre-Fab Houses” is an umbrella term that covers manufactured and modular homes.

Manufactured Homes (previously known as mobile homes) are built on nonremovable steel frames, known as chassis. The chassis are used for transporting the homes and for permanent support. Manufactured homes are built according to Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code) and can be placed on permanent foundations, at which point they can be considered real estate. They typically are considered a low-cost alternative to regular construction because of their assembly line construction.

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North Vancouver Shed Regulations (District)

North Vancouver Shed Regulations:

DISCLAIMER: The District of North Vancouver Shed Regulations are provided as a courtesy only. Always consult the District of North Vancouver Building Department prior to any construction.

North Vancouver Shed Regulations

The regulations for placement and construction of sheds on one and two family dwelling lots can be found in Bylaw 3210 – Zoning Bylaw Part 3.

Please refer to the appropriate neighbourhood zone for specific regulations pertaining to ‘Other Accessory Buildings and Structures’.

Sheds are meant to be used as minor accessory structures for storing goods ancillary to the principal use of single or two family dwelling. Sheds are not permitted in a front yard in most zones and cannot be used for vehicle parking or a home occupation.

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Maximum Shed Size Without Permit

How to figure out the maximum shed size without a permit:

Most major Canadian Municipalities allow for a maximum shed size without a permit of  10 square metres or 107 square feet.

Sheds such as our 10 x 10 | 8 x 10 | 8 x 12 can typically be built in most Metro Vancouver Municipalities without a building permit.

If you want to build a shed larger than the maximum shed size allowed without a permit you will need to obtain a building permit from your local municipality.

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North Vancouver Building Permit: Off-Grid home rejected by DNV Staffers

North Vancouver Building Permit Denied

Bill Guest was enjoying the serenity of his Mount Seymour property from the back deck of a shed he built there three years ago. A judge has ruled the structure is a safety hazard and must come down.
Photograph by: NEWS photo, Jane Seyd

North Vancouver Building Permit Denied.

NO. NOPE. AND NO WAY:  The answer hasn’t changed for a North Vancouver man who wants to have a building on a remote lot in the middle of the forest, despite a lengthy court fight.

Bill Guest has been fighting the District of North Vancouver for three years for the chance to have any kind of structure on his residential zoned lot in the Mount Seymour forest. But for almost as long, the municipality has told him no permanent structures are allowed.

This month, a judicial review backed up those earlier decisions, saying the district was within its rights to refuse permits because of fire concerns.

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Modern-Shed Dwelling Texas: The Inside Scoop

Modern-Shed Dwelling: Texas Style

The following interview is with Heidi Brunet the builder of the first Modern-Shed Dwelling. The Modern-Shed Dwelling, is a pre-fab, home-built by Modern-Shed. Modern-Shed recently launched its “Dwelling” line, which is an extension from its pre-fab “room” specialty. Heidi’s home is a full-sized family style home, and is being built in Dallas, Texas.  

Q: How is the building process going thus far with your Modern-Shed Dwelling? There has been tremendous progress in the past couple of weeks – the foundation was poured, floors were installed, walls were built, and most recently the roof was added. Is the process as fast as you thought it would be? Have you come across any hiccups this early on in the process?

A: No. The entire shell of the house went up in 3 days with very basic tools. It was faster than I anticipated. Next week we will frame the internal walls in the house, assemble the carport, rough in electrical wiring throughout the house, install the fireplace and start putting up siding.

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Modern-Dwelling Lighting Plan: Light Me UP

Modern-Dwelling Lighting Plan

Leading the Modern-Dwelling lighting plan is Suzanne BranchLighting specialist, Licensed Architect in the State of Texas of LuM Lighting Design, describes in detail the lighting plan of the first Modern-Dwelling by Modern-Shed. This home is in the process of being built in Dallas, Texas and will be completed this year.

Modern-Dwelling Lighting Plan

Lighting is one of the most important elements of building a new home. New homeowner, Heidi Brunet sought out a lighting specialist to ensure that the lighting is just perfect.

Modern-Dwelling: LED Lighting

The entire lighting specification of this home will be LED, which really fits into the energy conservation story of the house. Read more ›




Court says no shed on North Vancouver residential lot.

Structure in breach of North Vancouver Shed Bylaws:

North Vancouver Shed Bylaws

Bill Guest was enjoying the serenity of his Mount Seymour property from the back deck of a shed he built there three years ago. A judge has ruled the structure is a safety hazard and must come down.
Photograph by: NEWS photo, Jane Seyd

A North Vancouver man who built a shed on a privately owned lot in the middle of the forest has been ordered by a B.C. Supreme Court justice to take it down.

Justice Gregory Fitch granted an injunction to the District of North Vancouver in December, saying Bill Guest’s 10-by-10-foot shed didn’t comply with local bylaws, which essentially banned any construction on the land.

But following the ruling, Guest said he’s not giving up. Instead, he’s working on a design for a larger home with a sprinkler system and is still hopeful the district will allow him to build it.

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