Lake Cowichan doesn’t set its own shed size limit for building permits. The Town’s Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022 says it doesn’t apply to buildings that Part 1 of the BC Building Code exempts, so the provincial 10 m² (108 square feet) rule is the default. Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 does set clear height and setback numbers for accessory buildings under 10 m² and over 10 m², and the figures below are for the R-1 (Suburban) and R-2 (Urban) zones unless noted.
Quick answer: do you need a permit for a shed in Lake Cowichan?
- The Town’s building bylaw defers to the BC Building Code, which exempts accessory buildings under 10 m² (108 square feet) that don’t create a hazard.
- Zoning still applies: in R-1, a shed under 10 m² can be 0.6 m (2 feet) from the rear and interior side lines and up to 3.5 m (11.5 feet) tall.
- Bigger buildings follow the house setbacks (rear 4.5 m, interior side 2.0 m in R-1) and may reach 7.5 m (24.6 feet) in height.
| Zoning bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (consolidated 24 February 2026) |
|---|---|
| Building bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, s.4(2)(a): the bylaw doesn’t apply to buildings exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code |
| Permit-free size | No Town figure. The provincial 10 m² (108 square feet) rule is the default. |
| Accessory use | An accessory building can’t be used as a dwelling (Zoning Art. 4.3.6) |
| Max height, under 10 m² | 3.5 m (11.5 feet) in R-1 to R-6 (s.5.1.6, row c.iii) |
| Max height, over 10 m² | 7.5 m (24.6 feet) in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5; R-4 and R-6: 4.5 m (14.8 feet) pitched, 3.7 m (12 feet) flat (s.5.1.6, row c.ii) |
| Rear setback | Under 10 m²: 0.6 m (2 feet) in R-1 (row j.ii). Over 10 m²: 4.5 m (14.8 feet) in R-1 (row h.ii). |
| Interior side setback | Under 10 m²: 0.6 m (2 feet) (row j.iii). Over 10 m²: 2.0 m (6.6 feet) in R-1; 1.5 m (5 feet) in R-2 (row h.iii). |
| Exterior side setback | 3.0 m (9.8 feet) in R-1 for both sizes (rows h.v, j.iv) |
| Front setback | 7.5 m (24.6 feet) in R-1 and R-2 (rows h.i, j.i) |
| Lot coverage (all buildings) | R-1 30%, R-2 40%, R-3 to R-5 50%, R-6 60% (row g) |
| Zones covered | Table covers R-1 to R-6. R-4: rear 3.0 m, exterior side 4.0 m. R-5: small-shed front 4.5 m, exterior side 1.5 m. R-6: no small-shed row. |
| Permit fee | $100 for construction value up to $5,000, then 1% of value with a $100 minimum; double fee if built without a permit (Bylaw 1075-2022, Schedule A). The wording is ambiguous. |
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, but “hazard” isn’t defined and the local building official decides. Lake Cowichan’s own documents are silent on the permit size, so the 10 m² permit figure on this page comes from the provincial rule (the Town may be stricter), while the height and setback figures come from the Town’s Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021.
Rules that apply even without a building permit
- Zoning: height, setbacks and lot coverage apply whether or not a permit is needed.
- Electrical: wiring a shed needs an electrical permit from Technical Safety BC.
- Use: a shed can’t be used as a dwelling, and sleeping or office use can turn it into a regulated building.
- Easements and covenants: utility rights-of-way and covenants on title can limit where a shed can go.
What isn’t confirmed
- The Town’s own documents don’t state a permit-free size, how area is measured, or what makes a shed a “hazard”, so those rest on the provincial rule.
- Whether a site plan or zoning check is required when no permit is needed wasn’t confirmed.
- No total size cap for accessory buildings, no written front-yard ban, no required distance between a shed and the house, and no lane setback were found.
Who to contact
Town of Lake Cowichan Building Inspector: 250-749-6681 ext. 104. Official documents used: Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (PDF), Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022 (PDF) and the Building Inspection Page.
Frequently asked questions
Does a small shed need a building permit in Lake Cowichan?
The Town’s bylaw defers to the BC Building Code, which exempts accessory buildings under 10 m² (108 square feet) that don’t create a hazard. Confirm with the Building Inspector for a specific site.
How close to the property line can a small shed go?
In R-1, a structure under 10 m² can sit 0.6 m (2 feet) from the rear and interior side lines, and 3.0 m (9.8 feet) from an exterior side line.
How tall can a shed be?
In R-1, 3.5 m (11.5 feet) for a structure under 10 m² and 7.5 m (24.6 feet) for one over 10 m².
What happens if a shed is built without a required permit?
The Town’s fee schedule charges double the permit fee for work done without a valid permit (Bylaw 1075-2022, Schedule A).
For province-wide context, see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit in BC and Shed Rules by City.
These figures are a general guide checked 26 October 2026, so confirm them with the Town of Lake Cowichan before building.