About this storage shed
This 6′ x 16′ contemporary storage shed (96 sq/ft) sits in a narrow strip of land between a modern house and the neighbouring yard in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver. The house had very little storage, and the shed gives the owners a place for tools and gear that does not take space from the yard.
Quick facts about this contemporary storage shed
- Location: Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, BC
- Size: 6′ x 16′ (96 sq/ft, about 8.9 m²)
- Design: Contemporary single-slope storage shed
- Overhangs: Front 18″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Door: 4′ x 7′ roll-up door
Finding room for storage
The front yard had no practical spot, and the back yard drops away at a 45-degree slope, so neither could take a building. The only workable space was a thin strip between the neighbouring yard and the house, and a long, narrow shed was the best fit for it.
Built in the shop, put together on site
The floor frame and wall panels were built in the shop, where the work is dry and accurate. The floor was then set on a gravel base in the side yard, and the walls were raised on it. The shed has a single-slope roof, grey siding with dark trim, a roll-up door and a short plank ramp at the entrance.
Inside the shed
Inside, the walls are framed with OSB sheathing and a band of translucent high windows runs under the roof to bring in daylight without losing wall space. Looking down the length of the shed from the door, it is deep enough to store long tools and equipment.
Why a long, narrow shed works
Many houses have a narrow strip along one side that is too tight for anything else. A long shed turns that strip into storage without taking any of the lawn or the garage. A single-slope roof keeps the profile clean and sheds water away from the neighbouring property.
What a shed like this stores
A 96 sq/ft shed is large enough for tools, a workbench, garden gear and bikes. A roll-up door is a good fit for a narrow site because it does not need space to swing open, so the full length of the strip can be used.
Prefab panels and quick assembly
Prefab sheds are built in sections in a shop and put together on site. Building indoors keeps the lumber dry and the cuts accurate, and it keeps the work in the yard short and quiet, which matters when the shed is only a few feet from a neighbour’s property.
Preparing the site
A shed is only as flat and solid as the ground under it. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Pick a spot with clear access for people and materials, and keep it away from trees and overhead wires.
- Level the area and set a firm base, such as compacted gravel or a leveled pad, so the floor stays flat and water drains away.
- Check the setbacks from the property lines and any easements in your city’s shed rules.
- Leave room in front of the roll-up door so it can open fully, and plan how materials will reach the site.
Keeping the siding in good shape
LP SmartSide is a primed engineered wood siding that is painted after it is installed. Like any painted wood product, it lasts longest when the paint is kept in good condition. Look the shed 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 | Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 6′ x 16′ (96 sq/ft, about 8.9 m²) |
| Design | Contemporary single-slope storage shed |
| Decking | Plank ramp |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Bare |
| Door | 4′ x 7′ roll-up door |
| Windows | Three vented windows, 18″ x 24″ |
| Electrical | None |
| Heat | None |
What to plan before building on a narrow site
A tight site needs a little extra planning before the shed is ordered.
- Size and permit: at 96 sq/ft (about 8.9 m²) this shed is under the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out. Zoning still applies, so check the West Vancouver shed rules.
- Access: check how people and materials will get to a side yard, and whether panels or a finished shed can be carried in.
- Setbacks: measure the space between the house and the property line and confirm the required distances.
- Door type: a roll-up door suits a narrow strip because it does not swing into the space.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this storage shed?
It’s 6 feet by 16 feet, which is 96 sq/ft (about 8.9 m²).
Why is the shed so narrow?
It was built to fit a thin strip of land between the house and the neighbouring yard, the only workable spot on the lot.
Does a shed this size need a building permit?
At 96 sq/ft it is under the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out. Zoning rules still apply, so check the West Vancouver shed rules and confirm with the district.
Why was the shed built in a shop first?
Building the floor and wall panels in the shop keeps the work dry and accurate, and it makes the assembly on a tight site short and quiet.
What door does it have?
A 4′ x 7′ roll-up door, which does not need swing space and suits a narrow site.
What can you store in a 6×16 shed?
It holds tools, garden gear, bikes and a workbench, with long items stored along its length.
Can a shed be built on a steep lot?
Yes, if there is a flat spot to build on. Here the front yard had no room and the back yard dropped steeply, so the shed went into the level side strip.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see all sheds, garages and barns, or read the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide.