Burnaby’s zoning rules for backyard sheds are clear in the R1 district: accessory buildings are capped at 4.0 m (13 feet) and one storey, and they need to sit 1.5 m (5 feet) from the rear line and 1.2 m (4 feet) from the side lines. What the City’s own documents don’t state is the size at which a shed needs a building permit. Burnaby’s Building Bylaw only points to the exemptions in Part 1 of the BC Building Code, so that figure is marked as not confirmed below.
Quick answer: do you need a permit for a shed in Burnaby?
- Burnaby’s web page says construction that includes accessory buildings requires a permit, and it gives no small-shed exemption size.
- The Building Bylaw defers to the BC Building Code exemptions, so the permit-free size is not confirmed from Burnaby documents.
- Zoning applies to every shed: 4.0 m (13 feet) tall at most, 1.5 m (5 feet) from the rear line, 1.2 m (4 feet) from the side lines.
| Bylaws | Zoning Bylaw 14815 (R1 District Part 3 cl. 1.1.5; Part 4 cl. 1.1(1)(l), 1.2.2, 1.4.1; Part 6 cl. 1.6); Building Bylaw 2016 No. 13658 cl. 2(2) |
|---|---|
| Permit threshold | Not confirmed. Building Bylaw 13658 cl. 2(2) says it doesn’t apply to buildings exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, and Burnaby’s text gives no shed size. |
| How area is measured | Zoning uses lot coverage and gross floor area. Up to one detached accessory structure under 5 m² of gross floor area is left out of lot coverage (Part 4 cl. 1.1(1)(l)). |
| Conditions that remove the exemption | Not confirmed. A building containing a dwelling unit isn’t an accessory building (Part 2 definition). |
| Zoning check without a permit | Not confirmed. Zoning rules apply to every accessory building (Part 4 cl. 1.4.1(1)). |
| Maximum accessory area | No separate accessory cap found for R1. Total lot coverage is 30% (lots over 567 m²) or 40% (lots under 567 m²) for 1 to 2 units. In the A1 rural district, detached accessory buildings total 60 m² at most. |
| Maximum height | 4.0 m (13 feet) and 1 storey (R1 cl. 1.1.5 table). No separate flat or pitched figure. |
| Rear setback | 1.5 m (5 feet) interior rear yard for accessory buildings; lane yard 1.5 m (5 feet) (R1 cl. 1.1.5 table) |
| Interior side setback | 1.2 m (4 feet) (R1 cl. 1.1.5 table) |
| Exterior side setback | 3.0 m (10 feet) flanking street yard (R1 cl. 1.1.5 table, 1 to 2 units) |
| Front yard | No building in a required yard (Part 4 cl. 1.4.1(1)). The R1 front street yard is 4.0 m (13 feet). This isn’t written as a ban on the whole front yard. |
| Separation from the house | 2.4 m (8 feet) between a detached accessory building and all other buildings (Part 4 cl. 1.2.2(1)) |
| Zones covered | R1 District figures. A1 differs (accessory 4.0 m tall, 1.5 m setbacks, 60 m² cap). Other districts weren’t reviewed. |
| Permit fee | Not confirmed. The fee bylaw found (13790) is older text and the current fee wasn’t verified. |
| Phone | 604-294-7290 (printed on the City’s Building Bylaw consolidation; not labelled as the building department) |
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 because “hazard” isn’t defined, the local building official decides. Where a city’s own documents are silent, the provincial rule is the default, but a city may be stricter; on this page the permit question rests on that provincial default because Burnaby’s documents don’t state a size, while the height, setback and separation figures come from Burnaby’s Zoning Bylaw 14815.
Rules that apply even without a building permit
- Zoning: height, setbacks and building separation apply to every shed, permit or not.
- Electrical: wiring a shed can need a separate permit through Technical Safety BC.
- Use as an office or bedroom: a building used for living, sleeping or regular work is treated differently from a storage shed and can need a permit.
- Easements and rights-of-way: a shed can’t sit on a utility easement or right-of-way, so check the title for one before building.
What isn’t confirmed
- The shed size where a building permit starts, and the conditions (hazard, electrical, plumbing) that remove an exemption.
- Whether a site plan or zoning check is needed when no permit is required.
- Whether R1 has a maximum accessory building area beyond total lot coverage.
- Whether flat and pitched roofs are treated differently for height.
- The current building permit fee, and a phone number labelled for the building department.
Who to contact
The City of Burnaby’s number printed on its Building Bylaw consolidation is 604-294-7290 (not labelled as the building department). City Hall is at 4949 Canada Way. Official documents used:
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed be in Burnaby without a permit?
That isn’t confirmed. Burnaby’s Building Bylaw defers to the BC Building Code exemptions and its web page gives no size, so check with the building department.
How tall can a shed be in Burnaby?
In the R1 district, accessory buildings are limited to 4.0 m (13 feet) and one storey.
How far from the property line does a shed need to be in Burnaby?
R1 accessory buildings need 1.5 m (5 feet) from the rear line and 1.2 m (4 feet) from an interior side line, and 3.0 m (10 feet) from a flanking street.
How far must a shed be from the house in Burnaby?
At least 2.4 m (8 feet) between a detached accessory building and all other buildings (Part 4 cl. 1.2.2(1)).
For province-wide context, see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit in BC and Shed Rules by City.
The figures on this page are a general guide, checked 26 October 2026. Confirm them with the City of Burnaby before building.