A tiny lot in East Vancouver is at the centre of a larger tussle between city officials and the company that recently purchased the sliver of land. 

At just 9 feet wide by 60 feet deep, 1916 William Street is a quirky anomaly amid surrounding lots that are seven times the size. 

But quirky is what convinced Lanefab — builders of Vancouver’s first laneway house over a decade ago — to buy the little lot in June for $220,000, $69,000 below the asking price.

“I thought it was kind of intriguing just because we’ve always been interested in small spaces and odd sorts of things,” said Lanefab co-owner Bryn Davidson.

After closing, the company put up a nice fence, secured an electrical permit and began construction on a portable office pod. But in short order, they were served notice the structure had to come down because zoning doesn’t allow for an office pod unless there’s a house on the lot.

“The city … said that we are not allowed an accessory building if we don’t have a primary building. They actually sent a letter to our lawyer asking us to remove that building in the next 60 days,” said Davidson. 

“I’m a bit frustrated that they’re going to these efforts to harass us over a hundred square foot building on a tiny lot.”

The City of Vancouver told CBC the office pod has to go because it was built without permits.

“There is an inspection order to remove the structure or apply for permits,” said a spokesperson. 

Keep reading on CBC News