Alachua County, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Alachua County, FL, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Exempt shed size cap
- 150 sq ft, one shed per residential use
- Siting requirement
- Must be within the required zoning setback
- Electrical/plumbing to shed
- Always needs its own permit
- Over the cap
- Full building permit required (§105.1)
- Unpermitted oversized shed penalty
- 100% of standard permit fee (§109.4)
Summary
A single storage shed built for a legal residential use in unincorporated Alachua County doesn't need a building permit if it's 150 square feet or smaller and sits within the zoning district's required setback. Alachua County Code § 331.03 (Florida Building Code § 105.2, Building Item 7) sets that exemption, but it doesn't cover any electrical or plumbing run to the shed: that work still needs its own permit and inspection.
7.The construction of a single storage shed per legal residential use that does not exceed 150 square feet in size and is located within the required setback established for the zoning district. Any electrical or plumbing work must be permitted and inspected in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
2's Building exemptions list, item 7, exempts the construction of a single storage shed per legal residential use that does not exceed 150 square feet in size and is located within the required setback established for the zoning district, adding that any electrical or plumbing work must be permitted and inspected in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code. 1. 5- or 10-foot rear setback depending on lot size. The permit exemption is for the structure itself; it never reaches wiring or plumbing, which still require the Building Division's electrical and plumbing permits and inspections regardless of the shed's size.
Violations & Fines
A shed over 150 square feet, a second exempt-sized shed on the same lot, or a shed sited outside the required setback is unpermitted construction subject to the §109.4 penalty, 100 percent of the standard permit fee on top of the fee itself, plus correction or relocation if it violates the zoning setback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in unincorporated Alachua County?
My shed exemption covers the structure: does it cover the wiring I want to run to it?
Can I build two permit-exempt sheds on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
How Alachua County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.