Shed permit rules in King County, WA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In unincorporated King County, a one-story detached storage shed of 200 square feet or less, accessory to a residential or agricultural use, is exempt from a building permit under the Washington State Residential Code (WSRC R105.2, WAC 51-51). Sheds must still meet K.C.C. Title 21A zoning setbacks, lot coverage, and critical-area rules.
King County's Department of Local Services - Permitting Division states that a storage shed with a floor area of 200 square feet or less, as an accessory to a residential house or for agricultural use, does not require a building permit. The exemption is based on Section R105.2 of the Washington State Residential Code (WAC 51-51), which is the state amendment to the IRC. The exemption only addresses the building permit; the shed must still meet the zoning standards of K.C.C. Title 21A, including the setbacks and lot coverage in the density and dimensions tables at K.C.C. 21A.12.030 and 21A.12.040, the accessory-building standards in K.C.C. 21A.14, and the critical-area regulations in K.C.C. Chapter 21A.24. Sheds with electrical wiring, plumbing, or mechanical equipment require separate Title 16 permits. Sheds on parcels containing wetlands, streams, steep slopes, flood hazard areas, or shoreline jurisdiction may require a permit even under 200 sq ft. Confirm with King County DLS - Permitting at 206-296-6600.
Building a shed larger than 200 sq ft without a permit, or placing any shed inside a critical-area buffer or required setback, can result in a stop-work order, an after-the-fact permit at higher fees, and a code-enforcement notice under K.C.C. Title 23. Property owners are responsible even if a prior owner installed the shed.
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See how King County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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