First check whether your city needs a permit for your shed, then work through the foundation, framing and final checks, tied to BC Building Code 2024 Part 9.
This checklist is a preparation aid, not a guarantee of passing inspection. Your inspector’s decision and the current code and bylaw govern.
A garden shed is the project most people assume needs no paperwork. Often that’s true: many BC cities exempt small accessory buildings, commonly under 10 m² (about 107 sq ft), from the building permit. But the cut-off varies (Duncan’s is 8 m²), some cities publish no exemption at all, and zoning setbacks and height limits apply whatever the size. This checklist works in two parts. First, confirm whether you need a permit. Then either prepare for each inspection stage (permitted sheds) or self-check the same items (exempt sheds). The construction items point to BC Building Code 2024 Part 9 articles, checked against the official PDF (Province of BC, BC Building Code 2024). Vancouver uses the VBBL, as noted below.
The BC Building Code itself says it does not apply to accessory buildings less than 10 m² in building area that do not create a hazard (Division A, 1.1.1.1.(2)(e)). Your local building bylaw decides the permit question, though, and some set a different line. Here’s what each city’s own pages say:
| Place | Building permit? | Shed rule in the city’s own words (summarized) |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan | Depends | No permit for an accessory building or structure of 8 m² or less that is within the required setbacks. Bigger than 8 m² needs a building permit. Source: duncan.ca |
| Cowichan Valley Regional District (rural areas) | Depends | No permit for an accessory building under 10 m² sited to zoning, unless it has plumbing, sleeping space, a home occupation or a hazard. Larger buildings need a permit. Source: cvrd.ca, cvrd.ca |
| Victoria | Depends | Accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt from the building bylaw. Zoning still applies (Schedule F: rear yard only, 0.6 m side/rear setback, 3.5 m max height). Source: victoria.ca, victoria.ca |
| Saanich | Depends | Accessory buildings under 10 m² that meet zoning and create no hazard are exempt. All new buildings over 10 m² need a permit. Source: saanich.ca, saanich.ca |
| Langford | Verify with the city | Bylaw 1160 has no shed-size exemption, so ask the city before building any accessory building. Zoning: 1 m from side/rear lines and from the house. Source: langford.ca, langford.ca, langford.ca |
| Nanaimo | Depends | New accessory buildings, including sheds over 10 m² (107.64 sq ft), need a permit. Source: nanaimo.ca |
| Vancouver | Depends | The Vancouver Building By-law does not apply to accessory buildings less than 10 m² in building area that do not create a hazard (VBBL 2025 Book I, Div. A 1.1.1.1.(2)(e)). The City’s permit list still names building or altering a garage or shed among projects that generally need a permit, and the Zoning and Development By-law sets where a building can be located on a site and its maximum height and size, so a development permit may still be needed. Check with the City before you build. Source: vancouver.ca, vancouver.ca, vancouver.ca |
| Surrey | Depends | A storage shed is exempt if it is 10 m² or less, 1.5 m from neighbouring property lines and 3.0 m from other buildings. It must still meet zoning. Source: surrey.ca |
| Burnaby | Permit needed | Accessory buildings need a permit. Burnaby publishes no small-shed exemption. Source: burnaby.ca |
| Richmond | Depends | One accessory building under 10 m² with no operating mechanical equipment needs no permit. Location must meet zoning. Source: richmond.ca, infocentre.richmond.ca |
| Kelowna | Depends | Each detached structure over 10 m² in footprint needs a permit. Under 10 m² needs no building permit, but zoning setbacks and height apply. Source: kelowna.ca, apps.kelowna.ca |
| Kamloops | Depends | Accessory buildings under 10 m² with no electrical or plumbing are exempt. Zoning Bylaw 55 sets siting. Source: kamloops.civicweb.net, kamloops.ca |
| Coquitlam | Depends | Sheds under 10 m² need no permit (zoning setbacks apply). Over 10 m² needs one. Source: coquitlam.ca |
| Abbotsford | Depends | A detached building or structure under 10 m² in plan needs no building permit, but other bylaws apply. Source: laws.abbotsford.ca, abbotsford.ca |
“Verify with the city” means the official pages we could read don’t settle it. Exempt or not, a shed still has to meet zoning. Victoria’s Schedule F, for example, keeps accessory buildings in the rear yard, 0.6 m from side and rear lines, 2.4 m from the house and no taller than 3.5 m (Victoria Schedule F, PDF). In the CVRD, a shed under 10 m² loses its exemption if it has plumbing, sleeping space, a home occupation or creates a hazard (CVRD Bylaw 4433, PDF).
Most shed problems are location problems. Settle these before you buy materials.
For permitted sheds, this is typically a footing or forms inspection before concrete. Duncan’s bylaw lists forms before pouring. For exempt sheds, it’s your own check.
Most small sheds are simple, but a heavy snow year exposes weak roofs. Check these before the walls are closed in.
For permitted sheds, book when the building is complete. For exempt sheds, this is your hand-over check.
This checklist is a preparation aid, not a guarantee of passing inspection. Your inspector’s decision and the current code and bylaw govern.
The City of Vancouver lists building or altering a garage or shed among projects that generally need a permit (City of Vancouver, when you need a permit). The Vancouver Building By-law does not apply to accessory buildings less than 10 m² in building area that do not create a hazard (VBBL 2025 Book I, Division A, 1.1.1.1.(2)(e); VBBL 2025 Volume 1, PDF), but the Zoning and Development By-law still sets where a building can be located on a site and its maximum height and size (City of Vancouver, Zoning and Development By-law), and a development permit may still be needed. Check with the City before you build, whatever the size. Construction there follows the Vancouver Building By-law 2025. The Part 9 articles used above, such as 9.12.2.2. and its accessory-building relief and 9.23.6.3., appear under the same numbers in VBBL Book II (VBBL 2025 Volume 2, PDF). Cite the VBBL on Vancouver drawings. Vancouver’s inspection stages guide (footings and forms, framing, final) is written for houses; ask which stages your shed permit needs (stages guide, PDF).
A detached garage or a large workshop is still an accessory building, but it brings in Section 9.35 (garages and carports), bigger foundations and often spatial separation limits. Use this checklist as a starting point only. Your city’s drawing checklist and the permit conditions govern. See your city’s deck and shed rules or take the 30-second permit quiz.
Related checklists: deck inspection checklist · fence checklist. Pricing a shed? The deck, shed and fence materials cost calculator counts skids, framing, sheathing, siding and roofing with dated BC prices.
It depends on your city. The BC Building Code does not apply to accessory buildings under 10 m² that don’t create a hazard (Division A 1.1.1.1.(2)(e)), and many cities exempt sheds under 10 m² from the building permit. But Duncan’s line is 8 m², Burnaby publishes no small-shed exemption, and in Vancouver the building by-law excludes accessory buildings under 10 m² that don’t create a hazard, while zoning and a possible development permit still apply, so check with the City. Zoning setbacks and height limits apply at any size.
BC Building Code 2024 Table 9.12.2.2. sets minimum foundation depths, but Sentence 9.12.2.2.(6)(b) relieves accessory buildings that are not masonry, not more than one storey, not more than 55 m², and no more than 600 mm from finished ground to the underside of the floor joists. Your drawings and the building official decide the final detail.
BC Building Code 2024 Article 9.23.6.1. requires building frames to be anchored to the foundation unless a structural analysis shows otherwise. Smaller buildings (up to 4.3 m wide and one storey) not anchored that way must be anchored to CSA Z240.10.1 (9.23.6.3.).
Yes. A building permit exemption does not exempt you from zoning. Setbacks from lot lines and the house, maximum height and site coverage still apply. Victoria’s Schedule F, for example, keeps accessory buildings in the rear yard, 0.6 m from side and rear lines and 2.4 m from the house.
No. This checklist is a preparation aid, not a guarantee of passing inspection. Your inspector’s decision and the current code and bylaw govern.
Independent information only. This guide is a planning aid, not legal, engineering or building-code advice. Codes and bylaws change, and the building official for your address has the final say. Confirm every requirement before you design, apply or dig.
This guide relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked September 25, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.