About this shed
This saltbox storage shed sits at the back of a long, narrow yard in East Vancouver. It’s 6′ x 16′ (96 sq/ft), with gray board and batten siding, white trim, a white roll-up door and an asphalt shingle roof. The yard left few options, so the shed was designed to fit the space and to look like part of the property.
Planned to fit a narrow yard
The yard is long and narrow, so a store-bought shed would not have fit well. Before the build, the shed’s outline was drawn over the lawn to show how much space it would take. A saltbox roof has two sides of different lengths, which gives the shed a simple, traditional shape.
Built in the shop, set by crane
The shell was framed and covered in plywood inside a shop, out of the weather. The finished building was then lifted into the yard by crane and set in its final spot.
Matched to the house
The siding is Hardie board and batten, painted gray to match the building beside it, with white trim and a 6-inch overhang on every side. A roll-up door doesn’t swing out, so it takes up no yard space when it’s open.
| Location | East Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 6′ x 16′ (96 sq/ft) |
| Design | Custom integrated building (saltbox roof) |
| Siding | Hardie board and batten |
| Roof | Asphalt shingles |
| Overhangs | Front and rear 6″; sides 6″ |
| Ceiling | Open stud |
| Door | 36″ roll-up door |
| Windows | None |
| Electrical and heat | None |
| Customization | Everything |
More photos
The photos below show the shed from other angles, plus the door and roof details.
What to plan before building a shed in a narrow yard
A tight yard makes a few details more important.
- Access: measure the gate, the path and the lane. If a crane is needed, check where it can park and how far it reaches.
- Door: a roll-up door needs no swing space, which helps in a narrow yard.
- Matching: use the same siding, trim colour and roof as the nearby building so the shed looks like it belongs.
- Size: 6′ x 16′ is 96 sq/ft, which stays under the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that many cities use for the no-permit limit.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this saltbox shed?
It’s 6 feet by 16 feet, which is 96 sq/ft (about 8.9 m²) of floor space.
How did the shed get into the yard?
It was built in a shop and lifted into place by crane.
Do you need a permit for a shed in Vancouver?
Vancouver doesn’t require a building permit for a shed under 10 m² (108 sq/ft) that doesn’t create a hazard, but zoning still applies. See Vancouver Shed Regulations and Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Custom Structures, read the Vancouver Shed Regulations, or check Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.