Shed permit rules in Erie, PA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In Erie's 'R' districts a detached accessory building (shed) must sit in the side or rear yard, at least 6 ft from any dwelling or alley and 3 ft from side/rear lot lines, and may be no larger than 720 sq ft or 15 ft tall. Sheds 100 sq ft or smaller are exempt from setback and lot-coverage limits, and under PA state law a shed under 1,000 sq ft accessory to a one-family home needs no state building permit.
Section 205.18 of the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 80-2005) governs sheds and other detached accessory buildings. In any 'R' (residential) district such buildings must be located in the side or rear yard of the principal building, at least 6 ft from any dwelling or alley and at least 3 ft from any side and/or rear property line, and may be no larger than 720 square feet in size or 15 feet in height. A small shed not exceeding 100 square feet is expressly exempt from the ordinance's maximum building-coverage and setback requirements. An accessory structure located less than 6 ft from the principal structure is treated as 'attached' and must meet the Section 205 setbacks. In non-residential districts, detached accessory buildings must instead meet that district's setback, height and lot-coverage rules. On the state side, the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code exempts a shed (or other listed accessory structure) under 1,000 square feet that is accessory to a detached one-family dwelling from the statewide building code (34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.1(b)(3)), though a city zoning permit is still required.
A non-compliant shed must be relocated, reduced in size, or removed to meet the side/rear-yard and setback rules. Zoning violations are enforced under Sec. 403 by civil action with a judgment up to $500 per day plus costs and attorney fees.
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