Aurora, IL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Aurora, IL, 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
- Max shed size
- 160 square feet
- Max shed height
- 14 feet to peak
- Yard placement
- Rear yard only
- Distance from house
- 6 feet minimum
- Sheds per lot
- One per dwelling
Summary
Aurora caps private sheds at 160 square feet and 14 feet in height, restricts them to rear yards only, and requires at least six feet of separation from the house.
Sheds shall be permitted in rear yards only...Distance from Principal Structures. Detached garages and sheds shall not be closer than six (6) feet from the nearest principal building wall...Sheds. Height. A private shed shall not exceed fourteen (14) feet in height. Height shall be measured to the top (peak) of the structure. Size. Sheds shall not exceed one hundred sixty (160) square feet in area, nor shall they exceed eight (8) feet in vertical wall height. The maximum length of any one wall shall not exceed sixteen (16) feet.
Full Breakdown
Aurora's zoning code treats sheds as accessory structures: each residential lot gets one shed and one garage, and a shed may only sit in a rear yard, never a front or side yard, and never inside a utility easement. Sheds top out at 160 square feet, an 8-foot wall height, a 16-foot maximum wall length, and 14 feet overall height measured to the roof peak. Detached sheds must sit at least six feet from the principal building unless properly fire-rated. Construction must use approved materials, wood, metal, brick, block, or resin, never fabric, vinyl, or unpainted wood, and building permits follow the city's adopted 2024 International Residential Code.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed that exceeds the size, height, or setback limits, or one built from prohibited material, is a zoning code violation subject to citation, a stop-work order, and removal by the Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a shed be in Aurora, Illinois?
Where can I put a shed on my Aurora property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
How Aurora compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Aurora to another location·View the Illinois accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle shed & carport rules.