Palm Beach County, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Palm Beach 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
- Permit trigger
- Any structure, per FBC § 105.1
- Size exemption
- None: no small-shed carve-out
- Enforcing agency
- PZB Building Division
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires a building permit before you erect a shed of any size: the county's own exemption list for building work never carves out small accessory structures.
Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing, fire protection system, or accessible or flood resistant site element, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 7-52 adopts FBC Section 105.1, which requires a permit before anyone constructs, enlarges, or alters 'a building or structure.' A backyard shed is a structure, so it falls under that trigger. Section 105.2's building exemption list is narrow: sub-$1,000 repair/replacement work, finish carpentry with no reconfiguration, temporary movie sets, playground equipment, retractable awnings, and small movable fixtures under 5'9". None of those cover a new accessory structure by square footage, so, unlike jurisdictions that waive permits for tool sheds under roughly 100 square feet, Palm Beach County's Building Division (PZB) requires a permit for a shed of any size in the unincorporated county. Homes inside Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, or Jupiter follow those cities' own separate codes, not this one.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed without the required permit is unpermitted construction. PZB can issue a stop-work order, require an after-the-fact permit application with added fees, and refer the property to code enforcement for fines under Ch. 553, F.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small shed need a permit in Palm Beach County?
Does the $1,000 exemption cover a new shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
How Palm Beach County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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