About this garage
This 10×10 gable garage was built for a Kitsilano home as part of a full backyard renovation. It holds a motorcycle, a workbench and riding gear. A pair of 56-inch French doors on the lane side gives drive-up access, so the bike rolls straight in from the back lane.
Quick facts about this motorcycle garage
- Location: Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
- Size: 10′ x 10′ (100 sq/ft, about 9.3 m²)
- Design: Gable shed with a craftsman upgrade
- Doors: 56″ wide French doors on the lane side
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Roofing: Shingle
Built in a shop, delivered ready to use
The garage was built in a North Vancouver shop and carried to the site fully built, so the work in the yard was short. The photos show it in the shop bay, then on its trailer behind a pickup and travelling down the back lane.
Getting the lane site ready
Before delivery, a gravel strip was laid beside a hedge and fence at the back of the lot. The garage was then slid into place from the trailer, with the French doors facing the lane.
The finished garage
The finished garage has blue siding, white trim, a shingle roof and a white craftsman door with a window. The wide white French doors face the lane, and a lilac and a cedar fence grow beside it.
Inside the garage
Inside, the walls are lined with plywood and the garage has shelves for gear and a workbench area. With no electrical or heat, it works as a dry, secure place for a bike, tools and riding clothes.
Why a small garage suits a motorcycle
A motorcycle needs far less room than a car, so a 10×10 building is enough to park a bike, keep a workbench and still walk around it. A small building also costs less to heat, light and maintain than a full-size garage, and it fits in a back lane where a larger one would not.
Doors that suit the bike
Double French doors give a wide opening, which makes it easier to wheel a motorcycle in and out without scraping the frame. Opening both leaves is best for loading, and one leaf can stay closed for everyday use. A level threshold or a short ramp helps with the weight of a bike.
Shop-built panels and quick assembly
A prefab building is built in a shop and moved to the site, which keeps the lumber dry and the cuts accurate. Because most of the work is done indoors, the time on site is short and the yard is disturbed for far less time than with a site-built garage.
Preparing a lane-side site
Back lanes bring their own limits, such as narrow access, overhead wires and neighbours close by. Before delivery, it helps to measure the lane and the gate, check the turning room for the trailer, and set a firm gravel base so the garage sits level and water drains away.
Keeping the siding in good shape
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding that is painted after it is installed. Look the garage over once a year, repaint any worn spots, keep soil and mulch from touching the bottom of the siding, and trim back plants that hold moisture against the walls.
| Location | Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 10′ (100 sq/ft, about 9.3 m²) |
| Design | Gable shed with a craftsman upgrade |
| Foundation | Gravel base |
| Overhangs | Front and rear 12″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Open stud |
| Door | 36″ craftsman fiberglass full-light door |
| Lane doors | 56″ wide French doors |
| Windows | 30″ x 36″ |
| Roofing | Shingle |
| Electrical | None |
| Heat | None |
| Customization | French doors for motorcycle access, a workbench and shelves |
What to plan before building a motorcycle garage
A small garage is quick to build, but a few details make it work better.
- Door width: wide double doors make it easier to move a bike in and out.
- Access: check that a delivery trailer can reach the spot and has room to turn in the lane.
- Permit: at 100 sq/ft (about 9.3 m²) this garage is under the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out. Zoning still applies, so check the Vancouver shed rules.
- Storage: shelves and a workbench keep gear off the floor and the bike clear.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this garage?
It’s 10 feet by 10 feet, which is 100 sq/ft (about 9.3 m²).
Was it built on site?
No. It was built in a shop and delivered fully built on a trailer, and the photos show it being carried down the back lane.
Does a garage this size need a building permit?
Under the BC Building Code, an accessory building under 10 m² (108 sq/ft) that does not create a hazard is outside the Code. Zoning rules still apply, so check the Vancouver shed rules and confirm with the city. See also the maximum shed size without a permit guide.
How do you get a motorcycle in?
A set of 56-inch wide French doors on the lane side gives drive-up access, so the bike can roll straight in from the lane.
What is the garage made of?
LP SmartSide siding on a framed gable building with a shingle roof, a craftsman door and a window.
Can a small garage hold a workbench as well?
Yes. At 100 sq/ft there is room for a motorcycle, a workbench along one wall and shelves for gear.
Why choose a gable roof for a small garage?
A gable roof is simple and strong, and it sheds rain and snow to both sides. It also adds headroom under the ridge.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see all sheds, garages and barns, or read the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide.