Manatee County, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Manatee 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
- Aggregate limit
- 400 sq ft total
- Setback exemption
- 120 sq ft or less, 8 ft
- Easements
- No exemption in easements
- Mobile-home shed
- 5 ft from side/rear line
- Code section
- Manatee County LDC 511.15
Summary
In unincorporated Manatee County, sheds accessory to a home may total up to 400 square feet of aggregate floor area. A shed 120 square feet or less and up to 8 feet tall (measured grade to roof ridge) is exempt from the required rear and side setbacks, except within drainage
Sheds one hundred twenty (120) square feet or less and up to eight (8) feet in height, measured from grade to roof ridge, are exempt from the required minimum rear and side setbacks on residential property, except within drainage and utility easements.
Full Breakdown
Manatee County Land Development Code Section 511.15 (Storage Structures and Sheds) sets shed standards for unincorporated land. Storage structures and sheds, excluding garages, are limited so no such structures accessory to a single-family dwelling or duplex exceed 400 square feet of total aggregate gross floor area. A shed 120 square feet or less and up to 8 feet in height, measured from grade to roof ridge, is exempt from the required minimum rear and side setbacks on residential property, except within drainage and utility easements. For manufactured homes or recreational vehicles, no shed of any size may be within five feet of any side or rear lot line, and there must be ten feet between units.
Violations & Fines
A shed exceeding the 400 sq ft aggregate limit, placed inside a required setback (unless exempt), or within a drainage or utility easement is a Land Development Code violation subject to correction or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small shed need to meet setbacks in unincorporated Manatee County?
How much shed space can I have on a single-family lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manatee County
How Manatee County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Manatee County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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