Everett, MA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Everett, MA, 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
- Dwelling side yard
- Garages and sheds: 2 feet minimum
- Dwelling rear yard
- Garages and sheds: 4 feet minimum
- Apartment districts
- Rear yard only, 33 percent of it, 7 feet from lot lines
- Accessory building height
- Two stories and/or 20 feet
- Permit fee
- $15.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost, $40.00 minimum
- No permit penalty
- Double the permit fee as a fine, plus the permit fee
Summary
In the City of Everett, Massachusetts, a dwelling district puts garages and sheds 2 feet minimum from the side lot line and 4 feet minimum from the rear lot line. Apartment districts limit accessory buildings to the rear yard, 33 percent of that yard, two stories and/or 20 feet, and 7 feet from any lot line.
6. Side Yard: ... b. Garages and sheds: Two (2) feet minimum 7. Rear Yard: ... b. Garages and sheds: four (4) feet minimum. c. Swimming pools: Six (6) feet minimum from any lot line.
Full Breakdown
In the City of Everett, Massachusetts, a shed is measured against the yard rules of its zoning district. In a dwelling district, Section 4(B) has a separate cell for garages and sheds in the side yard rule, 2 feet minimum, and another in the rear yard rule, 4 feet minimum. Those numbers sit beside the main building minimums of 4 feet with a total of 16 feet at the side and 25 feet in the rear. The same list sets in-ground swimming pools at 6 feet minimum from any lot line.
Apartment districts treat a shed as an accessory building. Section 5(B)(8) says an accessory building shall be located only within the rear yard, shall occupy not more than 33 percent of the rear yard area, shall not exceed two stories and/or 20 feet in height, and shall not be located any closer than 7 feet from any lot line. In a business district, Section 6(B)(7) uses the same 33 percent and two stories and 20 feet limits but sets the distance at no closer than 5 feet from the rear yard line.
Sheds appear by name in the building permit fee schedule that the Inspector of Buildings applies. The Section 4-1(c) Building Department Fee Schedule lists Sheds and Similar Structures at $15.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost with a $40.00 minimum fee. The same schedule treats work started without a permit as double the permit fee as a fine, plus the permit fee, and Section 4-1(c)(3) doubles the established amounts if construction starts before the permit issues. In a special flood hazard area, Section 9-27 bars construction or other development, including sheds, storage facilities and fences, without a special flood hazard permit.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Section 13 sets a fine of not more than $20.00 for each offense and for each day a shed sits inside a required yard. A shed built without a permit costs double the permit fee as a fine, plus the permit fee itself, under the Chapter 4 fee schedule. Relief from the yard numbers goes to the Board of Appeals, which hears variances under Chapter 40A, section 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to the property line can a shed go in Everett, Massachusetts?
Is there a size limit for a shed?
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Can a shed go in the front yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
How Everett compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Everett to another location·View the Massachusetts accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle shed & carport rules.