Shed permit rules in Fairfax County, VA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance allows accessory sheds on residential lots, with setbacks and size limits varying by zone. Sheds 256 square feet or smaller and not on a permanent foundation are exempt from building permits under the Virginia USBC, but still must comply with zoning setbacks (typically 5–10 ft from side/rear property lines) and may not be placed in front yards.
Accessory sheds in Fairfax County are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 112, Article 4) and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Under USBC Section 102.3, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar are exempt from building permit requirements when the floor area does not exceed 256 square feet (Group U occupancy). Even permit-exempt sheds must still comply with zoning: setbacks typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines in R-1 through R-8 residential zones, 10 feet in larger-lot zones (R-A, R-C, R-E), and sheds generally may not be placed in the front yard (forward of the principal dwelling). Maximum height for accessory structures is typically 15 feet or the height of the principal structure, whichever is less. Sheds over 256 sq ft require a building permit through Land Development Services (LDS). All sheds must be located outside of Resource Protection Areas (RPAs), drainage easements, and utility easements. Electrical service to a shed requires an electrical permit regardless of shed size. Lots in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas have additional restrictions. HOAs in Reston, Burke Centre, Fair Oaks, and most Fairfax subdivisions require Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval of shed style, color, siting, and size — this is often the binding constraint. Prefab sheds from home-improvement stores are allowed if they meet setbacks and HOA rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Fairfax County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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