Clay, NY Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Town of Clay Code § 230-20A(1)(e) exempts small accessory buildings, storage units and sheds serving one- and two-family homes or townhouses in residential districts from a building permit and certificate of occupancy once the structure is 100 square feet or less in floor area and under 12 feet in height. That exemption is not unconditional: the same subsection requires a minimum 3-foot setback from any property line, principal building or other accessory building; bars placement within any easement or right-of-way; requires the shed to sit behind the line formed by the front wall of the principal building; and requires compliance with any applicable corner-lot rules.

Sheds and accessory buildings larger than 100 square feet or 12 feet tall fall back under the Town's general permit requirement at § 80-4A, which requires a building permit before commencing construction of any structure and bars starting work without one. The Town's fee schedule at § 105-4 lists a $30 permit fee for a shed of 200 square feet or less filed under § 80-22. Because accessory structures are also subject to the dimensional standards applicable to the principal use under § 230-20A(1)(c), an oversized or misplaced shed can trigger both a building-code permit violation and a zoning setback violation reviewed by the Office of Planning and Development / Code Enforcement Officer.