Shed permit rules in Birmingham, AL — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Accessory buildings such as sheds may be built in a required rear yard but may not occupy more than 30 percent of the required rear yard and must be at least three feet from any side or rear lot line in dwelling districts. A shed cannot be built until construction of the principal building has commenced.
Birmingham regulates sheds and other accessory buildings under the City of Birmingham Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 3, Article I, Section 6 (Accessory building floor area controls), and the yard-encroachment rules in Chapter 3, Article I, Section 4. Accessory buildings and structures may be built in a required rear yard, but shall not occupy more than 30 percent of the required rear yard and shall not be nearer than three feet to any side or rear lot line within dwelling districts. Where the rear lot line abuts an alley, an accessory building must provide a minimum rear setback of three feet (five feet if garage doors open directly to the alley). Accessory buildings of 700 square feet or less located to the rear of a principal structure must provide a minimum rear setback equal to one-half of that required for the district, but not less than three feet. Under Chapter 1, Article III, Section 8, no accessory structure (including a shed) may be constructed or moved onto a lot until construction of the principal building has actually been commenced.
Enforced by the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits. Owners are notified by a Zoning Violation Notice (commonly 14 working days to comply); continued noncompliance can result in a summons to Environmental Court, where a Municipal Judge may impose fines and, upon misdemeanor conviction, jail.
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