Shed & Carport Rules
Accessory Structures
When a storage shed or carport needs a permit, the square-footage exemption thresholds, and the setback and height limits that apply either way.
How Shed & Carport Rules Rules Differ by Place
Oakland, CA: Oakland Carport Fire Sprinkler Rule
Heavy RestrictionsA carport or attached garage next to an Oakland house must carry its own residential fire sprinklers under Municipal Code § 15.12.030, amending California Fire Code § 903.2.18. The…
Mohave County, AZ: Mohave County Shed & Outbuilding Rules
Few RestrictionsMohave County exempts a one-story detached shed of 300 square feet or less with no utilities from a building permit, but it must still meet the five-foot accessory-structure setbacks…
Phoenix, AZ: Sheds up to 200 sq ft permit-exempt; 3 ft setback
Few RestrictionsIn Phoenix, one-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses do not require a building permit if their aggregate floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, per…
Fayetteville, AR: Fayetteville Shed & Outbuilding Rules
Few RestrictionsFayetteville allows backyard sheds and accessory buildings smaller than 50% of the principal structure. A structure 10 feet or less in height must sit 3 feet from a side line and 5…
Auburn, AL: Auburn Shed Rules: Setbacks, Size Cap, Permit
Some RestrictionsA backyard shed in Auburn needs a zoning certificate, must sit at least 10 feet behind the front building line and 5 feet from the property line, and all accessory buildings together…
Bessemer, AL: Bessemer Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsBessemer allows sheds and other accessory structures in the rear yard, but caps them at 30 percent of the required rear yard area and requires at least a 5-foot setback from every side…
Shed & Carport Rules Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Ohio
Few RestrictionsOhio Revised Code 3781.06 and the Residential Code of Ohio exempt one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less from state building permit requirements, though…
Rhode Island
Some RestrictionsRhode Island's State Building Code (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3) governs shed construction uniformly statewide, exempting accessory structures 200 square feet or smaller from building…
Virginia
Few RestrictionsVirginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code exempts sheds under 256 square feet from building permits statewide, preempting any stricter local permit requirements.
Cities & Counties with Shed & Carport Rules Rules
1139 locations
Alabama
Arkansas
Other Accessory Structures Topics
ADU Rules
Rules for building accessory dwelling units (granny flats, in-law suites) including size limits, parking requirements, and owner-occupancy rules.
ADU Impact Fees
Impact fees, school fees, utility hookup charges, and waivers for ADUs. Many jurisdictions exempt ADUs under 750 sq ft from impact fees per state law.
ADU Owner Occupancy
Whether the property owner must live on-site to operate an ADU, deed-restriction requirements, and recent state-law changes lifting owner-occupancy rules.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Whether an ADU can be rented short-term (Airbnb), 30-day minimums, separate rental licenses, and long-term lease requirements.
Garage Conversions
Rules for converting a garage into living space, including whether you need to replace the lost parking and what building codes apply.
Tiny Homes
Zoning rules for tiny houses on wheels and foundations, including minimum square footage requirements and where they can be placed.