Lantzville’s Building Bylaw No. 182 (s.2.4(a)) exempts “pre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds” from a building permit, and s.2.4(c) also exempts a single-storey standard building up to 55 m² (592 square feet) gross floor area with no sleeping or dwelling units and no use by the broader public, as long as the owner signs a Schedule 3 declaration. Zoning Bylaw No. 180 still sets the height and setbacks, and the figures below apply to the Residential 1 to 5 (R1 to R5) zones.
Quick answer: do you need a permit for a shed in Lantzville?
- Usually no. A single-storey building up to 55 m² (592 square feet) with no sleeping or dwelling units needs no permit with a signed Schedule 3 owner declaration, and pre-manufactured sheds are exempt on their own.
- Zoning still applies: in R1 to R5, a secondary structure needs 1.5 m (5 feet) from the rear and interior side lines, 3.0 m (9.8 feet) from an exterior side line, and 1.2 m (4 feet) from the house.
- Even with the exemption, the Building Code, Zoning Bylaw and other bylaws still apply (s.2.5).
| Zoning bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (consolidated to Amendment No. 433, 8 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Building bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020, s.2.4(a) (pre-manufactured sheds) and s.2.4(c) (single-storey standard building up to 55 m²); consolidated to Bylaw 381 |
| Conditions for the 55 m² exemption | No sleeping or dwelling units, no use by the broader public, and a signed Schedule 3 declaration (s.2.4(c)). The exemption doesn’t relieve compliance with the Building Code or Zoning Bylaw (s.2.5). |
| How area is measured | “Gross floor area” (s.2.4(c)). The definition and overhang treatment weren’t confirmed. |
| Max total area | No accessory area cap found. Maximum parcel coverage is 35% in R1 to R5. |
| Max height (R1 to R5) | 6 m (19.7 feet) for a secondary structure (R1 clause 4; R2 clause 3) |
| Rear setback (R1 to R5) | 1.5 m (5 feet) (R1 clause 3; R2 clause 2) |
| Interior side setback | 1.5 m (5 feet) (R1 clause 3; R2 clause 2) |
| Exterior side setback | 3.0 m (9.8 feet) (R1 clause 3; R2 clause 2) |
| Front yard | Front setback is 6.0 m (19.7 feet) for secondary structures; no separate ban wording was found |
| Separation from house | At least 1.2 m (4 feet) between secondary and primary buildings, foundation to foundation (Zoning s.2.18, clause 3) |
| Zones covered | R1 to R5 share these figures. The Foothills zone differs (front 6 m, rear and interior side 1.5 m, exterior side 3 m, height 9 m). Other zones weren’t read. |
| Permit fee | Not confirmed for a small building. No permit is needed for exempt sheds. |
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. Lantzville’s own bylaw sets a different and wider exemption (up to 55 m² with a Schedule 3 declaration, plus pre-manufactured sheds), so the permit figures on this page come from the District’s Building Bylaw No. 182 and not from the provincial 10 m² default, and the District may still be stricter on a specific site.
Rules that apply even without a building permit
- Zoning: setbacks, height and parcel coverage apply to every shed, and the BC Building Code still applies to exempt buildings (s.2.5).
- Electrical: wiring a shed needs an electrical permit from Technical Safety BC.
- Use: the 55 m² exemption is lost if the building holds sleeping or dwelling units or is used by the public, so a bedroom or office with guests doesn’t qualify.
- Flood areas and easements: sheds in a flood plain may need a Section 219 covenant, and easements, covenants and development permit areas can limit placement.
What isn’t confirmed
- No total size cap for accessory buildings was found, and the definition of gross floor area wasn’t read.
- How building height is measured, and whether flat and pitched roofs differ, wasn’t confirmed.
- Whether a site plan is needed for an exempt shed, the fee for a small building, and whether electrical or plumbing affects the exemption weren’t confirmed.
- Whether a development permit is required for a shed on a property in a development permit area wasn’t confirmed. Whether “plastic” in s.2.4(a) applies to “sheds” as well as coverall structures isn’t clear from the wording, so ask the District about a wooden pre-manufactured shed.
- The building bylaw copy read was consolidated in May 2025, so later amendments could exist.
Who to contact
District of Lantzville Planning Department: 250-933-8093 or planning@lantzville.ca. Official documents used: Zoning Bylaw No. 180 (PDF), Building Bylaw No. 182 (PDF) and the Building Permit Page.
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed be in Lantzville without a building permit?
Up to 55 m² (592 square feet) if it’s a single-storey building with no sleeping or dwelling units and the owner signs a Schedule 3 declaration. Pre-manufactured sheds are exempt separately.
What is the Schedule 3 declaration?
It’s a one-page form at the back of Building Bylaw 182 that the owner signs. By signing, the owner promises three things: the building has no dwelling unit or sleeping unit and won’t get one unless a building permit is issued first to convert it; the building won’t be used or occupied by members of the broader public; and a site plan showing setback distances from the property line is included with the application. The bylaw says the District relies on this promise, and it applies to the single-storey building up to 55 m² (s.2.4(c)).
How close to the property line can a shed go?
In R1 to R5, 1.5 m (5 feet) from the rear and interior side lines and 3.0 m (9.8 feet) from an exterior side line.
Does an exempt shed still have to follow zoning?
Yes. Section 2.5 of the building bylaw says an exemption doesn’t relieve anyone from the Building Code, the Zoning Bylaw or other bylaws.
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 District of Lantzville before building.