Garden Sheds for London, Ontario Backyards
Backyard Escape Studios builds custom garden sheds and backyard structures for homeowners across London,Ontario. Every build is pre-fabricated at our shop in Port Stanley, just overan hour from London, and installed by a professional crew in a single day. No crane, no heavy equipment, no mess left behind. Just a well-built shed that looks like it was always meant to be there.
Built for London Backyards Specifically
London is a city of establishedneighbourhoods with mature trees, older lots, and backyards that varyconsiderably in shape and access. An Old South backyard is often different fromwhat you find in Byron, Masonville, or Hyde Park. Some yards have wide openaccess; others have a single narrow gate and established gardens that need tobe worked around. We have built in all of them.
Because our structures are pre-fabricated in panels and assembled on site, access is rarely a problem. We do not need a crane or a wide delivery path. The crew brings what they need through a standard gate opening, builds on location, and is typically done the same day. Your lawn and garden stay intact.
London homeowners also tend tocare about how a structure looks from the house and from the street. The prefabbox shed you find at a big-box store does not fit the aesthetic of a well-maintained London property. Our models are designed to look like a deliberate backyard addition, not an afterthought.
Shed Models Available in London
We build five shed models, all available to London-area customers. Each starts from a standard size and is customizable in dimensions, cladding colour, door style, window placement, andfinish level.
Our practical, clean-finished garden shed for homeowners who want more than a basic prefab box. Built to codefor Ontario conditions, with durable steel on three sides and a finished pine front wall. The right choice for straight forward backyard storage don properly.
Our most popular model. TheAdvanced has a bold front design with a striking overhang and larger door options that make it as functional as it is good-looking. Well suited to London backyards where the shed is visible from the house or the patio and needs tohold its own aesthetically.
A squared-off, architectural shed with a modern industrial look. The Cube is a strong choice for newer London builds in areas like Hyde Park or Lambeth where the home has a contemporary finish and the backyard should match. Available in a wide range of steel colours and fully customizable in size.
A classic-meets-modern design thatworks well on established London lots in neighbourhoods like Wortley Village,Old North, and Old South where the surroundings have character and the shedshould too. Steel cladding paired with natural wood accents gives it a lookthat complements older homes without looking out of place.
A green-roof shed for London homeowners who want a structure that integrates with the garden rather than sitting apart from it. The planted roof absorbs rainwater, reduces heat gain,and creates a natural finish that softens the structure into the landscape.Popular with homeowners who have invested in their gardens and want the shed to earn its place.
What Sets Backyard Escape Studios Apart from Other London Shed Builders
Pre-Fabricated for a One-Day Install
Most shed builders in the London area build on site, which means a crew in your backyard for two to five days depending on the size and complexity. Our structures are pre-fabricated in panels at our Port Stanley shop and assembled on your property. The installation is typically complete in a single day. Your week stays intact.
Design Quality That Holds Up
If you want to go larger, we handle that too. We provide engineered drawings and guide you through the permit process from start to finish. Many clients start with a permit-exempt size and find it is more than enough. Others know from the beginning they want a larger dedicated fitness space, and we build it properly with full documentation.
Pre-Fabricated for a One-Day Install
We build five distinct models,each with a considered design that holds up next to a well-maintained home. Our steel cladding comes in over 35 colours. Cedar and pine cladding options are available for models where natural wood is part of the design. Every build is finished to a standard that you would be comfortable showing off from the patio.
Built to Ontario Code From the Start
Every BES structure is built to Ontario Building Code standards. Proper framing, vapour barriers, and roofing materials are included as standard, not as upgrades. This matters both for the longevity of the structure and for your property's insurability. If a build goes wrong three years after installation, that is your problem. We build it right the first time.
Insulation-Ready for Year-Round Use
London winters are real. An uninsulated shed is a seasonal shed. All BES structures are designed to accept insulation properly from the start, with framed walls that accommodate it without retrofitting. If you want to use the space as a workshop, studio, or home office year-round, we can build for that from day one.
155-Plus Five-Star Reviews Across Ontario
We have built sheds and studios for homeowners across Ontario for over five years. Our review record reflects aconsistent experience: clear communication, a build that matches the design, and an installation that leaves the yard the way we found it. If you want to read what past customers have to say, our Google reviews are a good place to start.
Shed Permits in London, Ontario: What You Need to Know
London, Ontario follows the provincial standard: sheds under 15 square metres (161 square feet) generally do not require a building permit. That covers a useful range of practical sizes. A 16 x 10 shed at 160 square feet comes in right at the threshold. A 12x 12 at 144 square feet is well within it.
The City of London has its own specific rules layered on top of the provincial code. Key ones to know:
- Sheds must be placed in the interior side yard or rear yard only. They cannot be placed in the front yard or exterior side yard.
- Minimum setback from side and rear lot lines is 0.6 metres (2 feet) for sheds under 4 metres (13.1 feet) in height.
- Maximum permitted height is 4 metres (13.1 feet). Height can be increased to 6 metres if the setback fromthe property line is increased by the same amount.
- The total footprint of all accessory buildings on the lot cannot exceed 10% of the total lot area. If you already have a garage or other structure, this counts toward that figure.
If your intended build is over 161 square feet, or if you want to add electrical to the structure, a permit is required regardless of size. We provide engineered drawings and can guide you through the City of London permit process. It is more straightforward than most people expect when you have the right documentation from the start.
For anything you are unsure about, the City of London's building department can be reached at building@london.ca or 519-661-4555. They are generally helpful with preliminary questions before a formal application is submitted.
How It Works: From First Conversation to Installed Shed
The process is designed to be straightforward. There is no pressure to commit before you are ready, and you see exactly what you are getting before anything is built.
Step 1: Get a Quote
Tell us your yard dimensions, your intended use, your preferred model, and any specific requirements. We put together a detailed quote with no obligation. If you are not sure which model is right, that is a fine place to start the conversation too.
Step 2: Approve Your 3D Design Sketch
Once you have a quote you are happy with, we produce a personal 3D sketch of your exact shed in your chosen colour and configuration. You see it before we build it.
Step 3: We Build It in Port Stanley
Your shed is pre-fabricated in panels at our shop. This is where the quality control happens: every panel is built in a controlled environment to precise measurements, not assembled under weather pressure on a tight backyard timeline.
Step 4: One-Day Install in Your London Backyard
Our installation crew arrives, assembles the panels, completes the finishing work, does a full walkthrough with you, and leaves the site clean. Most installs in the London area are done within a day. We work around your schedule and give you a confirmed install date well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garden shed in London, Ontario?
In most cases, no, if the shed is under 15 square metres (161 square feet). The City of London follows the Ontario Building Code threshold for permit-exempt accessory structures. However, London has its own zoning bylaws covering setbacks, lot coverage, andheight restrictions that apply even to permit-exempt sheds. Any shed with electrical requires a separate electrical permit regardless of size. If you are uncertain about your specific property, the City's building department at 519-661-4555 or building@london.ca can confirm.
How close to the property line can I build a shed in London?
The City of London requires aminimum setback of 0.6 metres (2 feet) from side and rear lot lines for sheds under 4 metres in height. Sheds under 10 square metres are exempt from setback requirements but must be placed entirely in the rear yard. Sheds cannot beplaced in the front yard or exterior side yard in any residential zone.
How long does it take to build and install a shed in London?
The design and quote process typically takes a few days to a week depending on how quickly decisions are made. Once the design is approved, build time at our Port Stanley shop depends on our current schedule, typically two to four weeks. Installation in your London backyard is usually completed in a single day. We give you a confirmed install date when your build is scheduled.
What shed sizes are available without a permit in London?
Any shed footprint under 161 square feet does not require a building permit from the City of London under current regulations. Common configurations that fit within this are: 16 x 10 (160 sqft), 20 x 8 (160 sqft), 12 x 12 (144 sqft), 14 x 10 (140 sqft). Larger footprints require a permit, which we can support with engineered drawings.
Do you build sheds in all London neighbourhoods?
Yes. We install sheds throughout London including Old South, Byron, Masonville, Hyde Park, Oakridge, Westmount, Lambeth, Wortley Village, Old North, Medway, Pond Mills, and surrounding areas. Access and lot dimensions vary across the city and we work around them. Ourpre-fabricated panel system means narrow gate access is rarely a barrier.
Can I add insulation, electrical, or windows to my shed?
Yes to all three. Insulation is designed into the structure from the start, not retrofitted. Window placement and size are configurable as part of the design process. Electrical requires a separate permit regardless of shed size, and we recommend using a licensed electrician for the connection after installation. If you want year-round usability, telling us upfront means we build for it correctly from the beginning.