About this studio
This backyard music studio sits in the back corner of a yard in East Vancouver, behind a heritage house. It’s 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft), so it stays under the 10 m² size that Vancouver uses for its building permit exemption. Charcoal lap siding, a red roof fascia and a row of clerestory windows give the modern studio a bold look next to the older house.
A quiet room for work and music
The owners needed a quiet place to work and play music, away from the main house. The studio has power, lighting and internet, and a 2,500-watt forced-air heater keeps it warm all year. Inside, the ceiling is pine tongue-and-groove.
Charcoal siding, steel and a red roof line
The front and long side use fibre cement lap siding painted charcoal. The end walls use corrugated steel, which is tough and needs little care in wet Westcoast weather. The red fascia and the clerestory windows under the roof make the shed roof stand out from the lane.
How the studio was built
The studio was built in the yard, starting with a level floor frame. The photos below show the site before the build and the floor going in.
The design drawing
Before the build, the studio was drawn in 3D so the owners could see the windows, doors and colours.
| Size | 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft) |
|---|---|
| Design | Custom 8×12 Modern-Shed with a single-slope shed roof |
| Siding | Fibre cement lap siding + corrugated steel |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides and rear 6″ |
| Ceiling | Pine tongue-and-groove |
| Doors | 60″ full-glass fibreglass doors |
| Windows | One 30″ x 30″ opening window and two 36″ x 48″ fixed windows, plus clerestory windows |
| Power | Yes, an 8-breaker sub-panel, lighting and internet |
| Heat | 2,500 W forced-air heater |
| Steps | Cedar |
| Permit status | Under 10 m²: no building permit in most BC cities. Zoning still applies. |
| Location | East Vancouver, BC |
More photos
The photos below show the studio from the garden and the lane, plus the inside.
What to plan before building a backyard music studio
A small studio is simple to build, but sound, power and heat need some thought.
- Size: 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft) fits a desk, a keyboard or a guitar corner. It also stays under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), the size where Vancouver starts to require a building permit.
- Sound: insulated walls and good doors help keep the music in and the neighbours happy.
- Power: plan the sub-panel, outlets and internet before the walls are closed.
- Heat: a small forced-air heater keeps the room usable in winter.
- Light: clerestory windows bring in daylight and keep wall space free for instruments and shelves.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this backyard music studio?
It’s 8 feet by 12 feet, which is 96 sq/ft (about 8.9 m²) of floor space.
Do you need a permit for a backyard studio in Vancouver?
Vancouver doesn’t require a building permit for an accessory building under 10 m² (108 sq/ft) that doesn’t create a hazard. Zoning rules still apply, including rear yard placement, a 4.6 m height limit and a cap on total accessory building area. Electrical work may need its own permit, so check with the City. See Vancouver Shed Regulations for the details.
Can a backyard studio have power and internet?
Yes. This one has an 8-breaker sub-panel, lighting and internet hookups.
Can a studio like this be built in a different size or colour?
Yes. The size, siding, colours, windows and doors can all be changed. Check the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide before picking a size.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see the Kerrisdale Backyard Studio, or check the Shed Rules by City.