Auburn, AL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Auburn, AL, 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
- Permit required
- Zoning certificate, Section 511.02
- Setback from house
- 10 ft minimum (511.03(E))
- Setback between accessories
- 5 ft minimum unless attached
- Setback behind front line
- 10 ft (100 ft on 3+ acre Rural lots)
- Floor-area cap
- 50% of principal structure's floor area
- Pools excluded from cap
- Yes, per Section 511.03(J)
Summary
A 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 are capped at half the house's floor area.
E. No accessory structure shall be closer than ten (10) feet to a principal structure or closer than five (5) feet to any other accessory structure, unless it is attached to such principal or other structure by means of fully enclosed living area. ... G. Accessory structures relating to residential uses shall be placed no less than ten (10) feet to the rear of the front building line. ... J. On any one (1) residential lot, the total accessory floor area of all structures shall be limited to 50 percent of the floor area of the principal structure. This shall include open carports, gazebos and greenhouses, but no swimming pools.
Full Breakdown
03 of the Auburn Zoning Ordinance sets the use limitations that govern sheds and other accessory structures. 03(B)). 03(E)). 03(G)), and on lots of three acres or more in the Rural District that setback jumps to a minimum of 100 feet from the front property line. 03(I)). 03(J) caps total accessory floor area, covering sheds, open carports, gazebos and greenhouses, at 50 percent of the principal structure's floor area on any one residential lot (swimming pools are excluded from that cap, and lots of three acres or more in the Rural District are exempt entirely). 02 requires a zoning certificate from the Planning Director confirming the shed complies with Section 511, issued under the procedures in Section 804.
Violations & Fines
Constructing a shed without the required zoning certificate, or in violation of the setback, bufferyard, or 50-percent floor-area cap in Section 511.03, is a Zoning Ordinance violation; the Planning Director can deny the certificate of occupancy and require the structure be relocated, resized or removed to bring the lot into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a shed be from my house in Auburn, Alabama?
Is there a size limit on how many sheds or accessory buildings I can have?
Do I need a permit before building a shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
How Auburn compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Auburn to another location·View the Alabama accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.