"PaulaJay1" wrote in message
...

What is the minimum legal distance (altitude) to fly VFR under a Class B
"wedding cake"?


No such mimimum distance exists.



CLE has a 1900 ft floor at the north side by Lake Erie and I have
flown at 1800 to go around CLE. I was not talking to CLE so I
don't know if they objected.


There's nothing for them to object to.



Today I was coming around CLE decending IFR. When in VMS I
cancelled IFR and remained on squak for advisories. The controller
wanted me at 3000 when under a 4000 ft designated altitude. Was he
just being safe for his own good or is 1000 ft suggested as the minimum
buffer?


Outside of Class B airspace he has no responsibility for separation and
cannot require VFR aircraft to operate at any particular altitude. Of
course, other regulations can come into play here, such as VFR cruising
altitudes.