Surrey says some small storage sheds are exempt from a building permit because they don’t create a hazard. The City’s test has three parts: the shed is 10 m² (108 square feet) or less, it sits 1.5 m (5 feet) from neighbouring property lines, and it sits 3.0 m (10 feet) from other buildings on the lot. Zoning By-law 12000 still applies, and its setbacks differ depending on whether a shed is over or under 10 m². This page uses the R3 zone, which replaced the old RF zone.
Quick answer: do you need a permit for a shed in Surrey?
- No building permit is needed for a storage shed of 10 m² (108 square feet) or less that sits 1.5 m (5 feet) from neighbouring lot lines and 3.0 m (10 feet) from other buildings.
- A building permit is needed for larger sheds, or any shed that doesn’t meet those distances.
- Zoning By-law 12000 applies either way, and electrical beyond one light and a switch needs its own permit.
| Bylaws | Zoning By-law 12000 Part 4 s. 20 and Part 15 (R3) s. E, F, G; Building Bylaw 2012 No. 17850 s. 7 and s. 20 |
|---|---|
| Permit threshold | City permit page: no permit if the shed is 10 m² (108 square feet) or less, 1.5 m (5 feet) from neighbouring property lines and 3.0 m (10 feet) from other buildings on the property. |
| How area is measured | Not confirmed. The City page says “area.” Building Bylaw 17850 s. 7 only defers to the BC Building Code exemptions. For zoning, accessory area over 10 m² counts in floor area ratio (R3 D.3(a)ii). |
| Conditions that remove the exemption | The shed has to be a small, hazard-free storage shed meeting the distances above. One light and a control switch needs no separate electrical permit; any other electrical or plumbing work needs its own trade permit. |
| Zoning check without a permit | Zoning By-law 12000 still applies (use, density, lot coverage, setback, height) per the City’s page. Whether a site plan is required: Not confirmed. |
| Maximum accessory area | No separate cap in R3. Accessory area over 10 m² counts in floor area ratio (D.3(a)ii). All buildings: 40% lot coverage on lots of 560 m² or less, falling to 25% on larger lots (E.1). |
| Maximum height | 4 m (13 feet), or up to 5 m (16 feet) if roof slope and materials match the house (R3 G.1). No separate flat-roof figure. |
| Rear setback | Over 10 m²: 1.2 m (4 feet) with lane access, 1.8 m (6 feet) with no lane. 10 m² or less: 0 m (R3 F.1). |
| Interior side setback | Over 10 m²: 1.0 m (3 feet). 10 m² or less: 0 m (R3 F.1), though the permit-free test needs 1.5 m (5 feet). |
| Exterior side setback | Over 10 m²: 3.6 m (12 feet) on corner lots. 10 m² or less: 1.8 m (6 feet) (R3 F.1). |
| Front yard | Over 10 m²: not permitted. 10 m² or less: at least 18.0 m (59 feet) front setback (R3 F.1). |
| Separation from the house | 5 m (16 feet) for a shed over 10 m² and taller than 2.4 m (R3 F.2(f)). The zoning definition of an accessory building also requires at least 1 m from the house wall. The permit-free test needs 3.0 m (10 feet). |
| Zones covered | R3 Urban Residential Zone (replaces RF and RF-SS). R1, R2, R4, R5, RA and R6 differ and weren’t fully reviewed. |
| Permit fee | Initial flat fee of $50 for a declared construction value of $0 to $19,999 (effective 14 April 2026). The total fee formula: Not confirmed. |
| Phone | 604-591-4366 (Building Information Line) |
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-free test comes from Surrey’s own permit web page (Building Bylaw 17850 only defers to the Building Code), while the height, setback and area figures come from Zoning By-law 12000.
Rules that apply even without a building permit
- Zoning: use, density, lot coverage, setbacks and height apply to every shed, permit or not.
- Electrical: a shed with one light and a control switch can be wired under the house’s electrical permit; anything more needs 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, and Surrey’s bylaw bars accessory buildings from gas transmission rights-of-way, so check the title first.
What isn’t confirmed
- How the 10 m² area is measured (for example, whether roof overhangs count).
- The bylaw clause behind the permit-free test; it appears on the City’s web page, while Building Bylaw 17850 defers to the BC Building Code.
- Whether a site plan is needed when no permit is required.
- The total building permit fee beyond the $50 initial payment.
- Rules for zones other than R3.
Who to contact
Surrey’s Building Information Line is 604-591-4366. Official documents used:
- Surrey Residential Building Permits
- Surrey Zoning By-law 12000 (PDF)
- Surrey Building Bylaw 17850 (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed be in Surrey without a permit?
10 m² (108 square feet) or less, placed 1.5 m (5 feet) from neighbouring lot lines and 3.0 m (10 feet) from other buildings on the property.
How tall can a shed be in Surrey?
In the R3 zone, 4 m (13 feet), or 5 m (16 feet) if the roof slope and materials match the house.
Can a shed go in the front yard in Surrey?
Not if it’s over 10 m². A shed of 10 m² or less has to be at least 18.0 m (59 feet) from the front lot line (R3 F.1).
Does a shed in Surrey need an electrical permit?
Not for one light and a control switch, which can be included in the house’s electrical permit. Any other electrical work needs a separate permit.
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 Surrey before building.