Detroit, MI Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Detroit, MI, 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
- Rear setback coverage cap
- 50% of required rear setback (R1/R2)
- Setback from house
- 10 feet minimum
- Setback from any dwelling
- 10 feet, all districts
- Max height
- 15 feet, one story
Summary
Detroit caps detached sheds and other accessory buildings at 50 percent of the required rear setback area in R1 and R2 districts and requires a 10-foot gap from the house.
Unless otherwise specified, accessory buildings or structures shall be subject to the following requirements: (1) No detached accessory building or structure in an R1 or R2 District shall occupy more than 50 percent of the area of the required rear setback area; (2) No detached accessory building or structure in an R1 or R2 District shall be located closer than ten feet to any principal building, or any porch or deck of that principal building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
In R1 and R2 residential districts, a detached shed or other accessory structure can't cover more than half of the required rear setback area, and it must sit at least 10 feet from the principal house, porch, or deck. Citywide, any detached accessory structure must stay at least 10 feet from a single- or two-family dwelling. Height is separately capped at 15 feet, one story, or the height of the house, whichever is less (Sec. 50-13-209), and sheds must go in the rear yard rather than the side or front (Sec. 50-13-207). The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) reviews accessory-structure permits against these dimensional standards.
Violations & Fines
BSEED can red-tag or order removal of an oversized or misplaced shed found during a building-permit or complaint-driven inspection; a property owner can also be cited for zoning noncompliance under the code's general enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a shed close to my house in Detroit?
How much of my backyard can a shed cover in Detroit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
How Detroit compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle shed & carport rules.