Auburn, WA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Auburn, WA, 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-exempt shed size
- 200 sq ft or less, one story
- Accessory building height, RC/R-1 zones
- 35 feet maximum
- Accessory building height, R-2 to R-F
- 24 feet maximum
- Rear setback, detached structure (R-1)
- 15 feet
- Vehicle-entrance setback
- 20 feet from street/alley
- Unpermitted build penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Auburn lets you skip a building permit for a one-story detached tool or storage shed only if its floor area stays at or under 200 square feet. Go bigger, or add plumbing or wiring, and the shed becomes a permitted structure subject to the zone's setback and height table.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. ... Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: 1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet. ... H | Maximum height of accessory buildings and structures | RC 35 | R-1 35 | R-2 24 | R-3 24 | R-4 24 | R-NM 24 | R-F 24 ... 8 | Rear setback, detached structure | RC 15 | R-1 15 | R-2 10 | R-3 5 | R-4 5 | R-NM 5 | R-F 10
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
" A shed over that threshold, or a shed with a vehicle entrance, needs a building permit reviewed by the city's Community Development department. 030) sets the numbers: Standard H, "Maximum height of accessory buildings and structures," caps accessory buildings at 35 feet in the RC and R-1 zones and at 24 feet in the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-NM and R-F zones. 8, "Rear setback, detached structure," requires 15 feet off the rear property line in the RC and R-1 zones, 10 feet in R-2 and R-F, and only 5 feet in R-3 and R-4.
8 adds that where a lot abuts an alley, a detached accessory dwelling unit may sit within that rear setback. 2 regardless of zone. 025 item 2. Because the exemption is measured strictly by footprint, a homeowner planning anything close to 200 square feet should check the exact interior floor area before building, since the city measures the exemption on square footage alone, not lot coverage.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed over 200 square feet, or one with plumbing or electrical service, without first pulling a permit is a violation of ACC Title 15's adopted building code. Under ACC 15.07.140(E), an unpermitted build is punishable as a misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine) or as a civil infraction under Chapter 1.25 ACC, at the building official's discretion based on the seriousness of the offense and the owner's compliance effort. The department of community development, per ACC 15.07.140(B), is the enforcing agency and can record a compliance notice against the property with the county recorder if the violation is not resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small backyard shed in Auburn?
How far from my rear property line must a shed sit in Auburn?
How tall can a shed or detached garage be in Auburn?
What happens if I build an oversized shed without a permit in Auburn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
How Auburn compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle shed & carport rules.