Birmingham, AL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Ch. 3, Art. I, Sec. 6; Ch. 3, Art. I, Sec. 4(5); Ch. 1, Art. III, Sec. 8
- Side/Rear Setback
- Minimum 3 ft from side or rear lot line (dwelling districts)
- Rear Yard Coverage
- Max 30% of required rear yard
- Alley Setback
- 3 ft (5 ft if garage doors open to alley)
Summary
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.
Section 6. Accessory building floor area controls. A. Accessory buildings and structures may be built in a required rear yard, but such accessory buildings and structures shall not occupy more than thirty percent of the required rear yard and shall not be nearer than three feet to any side or rear lot line within dwelling districts, except that when a garage is entered from an alley it shall not be located closer than five feet to the alley line, except in mixed use, commercial or agriculture districts. ... 5. Accessory buildings. a. Accessory buildings, when located to the rear of a principal structure on a lot where the rear lot line abuts an alley, shall provide a minimum rear setback of three feet, except when garage doors open directly to an alley, in which case the minimum rear setback shall be five feet. b. Accessory buildings (including above-ground swimming pools extending more than twelve inches above ground level) of 700 square feet or less, when located to the rear of a principal structure, shall provide a minimum rear setback equal to one-half of that required for the district (but not less than three feet).
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to the property line can I build a shed in Birmingham?
How much of my rear yard can a shed cover?
Can I build a shed before the house is built?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Birmingham
How Birmingham compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Birmingham to another location·View the Alabama accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle shed & carport rules.