Boone County, MO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Boone County, MO, 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
- Timing rule
- main house construction must start first
- 5+ acre lots
- one storage structure allowed alone
- Front yard
- barred unless attached to house
- Enforcement
- Boone County Planning & Zoning Commission
Summary
Boone County zoning bars building a shed or other accessory structure before the main house is under construction, and bans using it as a residence unless the main dwelling is also occupied.
No accessory building shall be constructed upon a lot until the construction of the main building has actually commenced, and no accessory building shall be used unless the main building on the lot is also being used with the following exceptions:
� The use of a temporary construction shed or road wagon for the storage of tools, material, and equipment by a contractor during building construction, with said shed or wagon being removed from the property within 10 days following completion of the construction.
� An accessory dwelling may be occupied when the primary dwelling is vacant.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Section 7.1.5.1 of the county's zoning ordinance says no accessory building, including a storage shed, detached garage, or workshop, can be constructed on a lot until construction of the main house has actually begun, and it can't be used unless the main dwelling is also in use. The only exceptions are a contractor's temporary construction shed, which must be removed within 10 days of completing the main house, and an accessory dwelling that stays occupied while the primary home sits vacant. On parcels of 5 acres or more, Section 7.1.5.2 allows a single accessory storage structure with no primary building at all, as long as it isn't used commercially.
Violations & Fines
Building before the main house is started, occupying an unfinished shed as a residence, or placing an accessory building in the front yard without common-wall attachment violates Section 7.1.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a shed before my house in Boone County?
Can I live in a shed while building my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boone County
How Boone County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Boone County to another location·View the Missouri accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.