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What size shed should I get?
Posted By In The Back Yard On 10-03-2026
What Size Shed is right ?
So you’ve decided you need a shed. Great idea. But now comes the question that trips up almost every homeowner: what size shed should I get? Too small and you’ll be kicking yourself when things don’t fit. Too big and you might run into permit headaches or bylaw issues you didn’t see coming.
The good news is, if you’re in southern Ontario, this guide will walk you through exactly what you need to know.
How Much Yard Do You Actually Have?
The size of your shed is closely tied to the size of your lot. Most municipalities in southern Ontario limit how much of your rear yard can be covered by accessory structures like sheds — typically somewhere between 30% and 40% of the rear yard area. The exact percentage varies depending on where you live.
As a rough guide:
- Smaller urban lots (under 400 sq ft of usable rear yard): You’re probably looking at an 8×10 or 10×10 as your practical
ceiling. - Mid-sized suburban lots: A 10×12 to 10 x16 shed tends to fit well and still leaves you room to move around it.
- Larger or rural properties: You may have the space for something 16×24 or bigger, especially if agricultural zoning applies.
Don’t forget about setbacks either — that’s the required distance between your shed and the property line. In most southern Ontario municipalities, you’ll need to stay at least 0.6 to 1.2 metres (2 to 4 feet) away from your rear and side property lines. It sounds like a small thing, but it can eat into your available footprint more than you’d expect.
Do I Need a Permit?
In Ontario, the general rule is that sheds up to 160 square feet (roughly 10×16 or 12×13) don’t require a building permit. Once you go over that threshold, a permit is required — no exceptions.
That said, individual municipalities can — and do — have their own additional rules layered on top. Things like maximum height (usually capped around 4.5 metres), roof pitch restrictions, or proximity to utility easements can all come into play. If your property falls within a floodplain, has a heritage designation, or sits near a Conservation Authority area (like Credit Valley, TRCA, or Conservation Halton), you may need extra approvals beyond the standard building permit.
Bottom line: just because your neighbour has a big shed doesn’t mean yours won’t need a permit. Always worth a quick check with your local municipality before you commit to a size.
What If the Shed You Want Doesn’t Technically Fit?
This comes up more often than you’d think. You want a 12×20 shed but your lot coverage or setback rules say no. That’s where a minor variance comes in.
A minor variance is a formal request to your local Committee of Adjustment asking for a small deviation from the standard zoning bylaw. Maybe your shed needs to sit a bit closer to the fence than normal, or you want to go slightly over the coverage limit. These requests are often approved when the impact on neighbouring properties is minimal and the reason is reasonable.
The process involves an application, a fee, and usually a notice to adjacent neighbours. Timelines typically run 8 to 12 weeks, so it’s worth planning ahead if this applies to you.
This Is Where In The Back Yard Comes In
We know this can feel like a lot to navigate — bylaws, setbacks, permits, variances. That’s exactly why we’re here. At In The Back Yard, we work with homeowners across southern Ontario every day, and we handle all of this so you don’t have to stress about it.
Here’s what we can do for you:
-
Custom design:Tell us what you need the space for — storage, a workshop, a hobby room, garden tools, or all of the above — and we’ll design something that actually works for your life and your lot.
- Permit-ready drawings: We produce professional drawings for both the structure and the concrete foundation — the exact documentation your municipality needs to process a building permit application.
- Permit assistance: We know what different municipalities in the region require and can help you put together your application and answer questions along the way.
- Variance guidance: Not sure if the size you want is achievable? We’ll look at your lot and give you an honest answer — including whether a minor variance is worth pursuing.
We take the guesswork out of the process, from the first conversation all the way through to a finished build you’re proud of.
We Can Help You Figure It Out.
Choosing the right shed size isn’t just about square footage. It’s about working within your space, following the rules in your area, and building something that genuinely serves you for years to come. In southern Ontario, the rules are manageable — you just need to know where to look.
Reach out to In The Back Yard today and let’s start the conversation. We’ll help you land on the right size — and take care of everything it takes to make it happen.
905-664-4224
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