Franklin County, KY Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 155.217 is the accessory use section of the Franklin County zoning chapter. Division (A) permits customary accessory uses in any zoning district, provided the use is directly related to the principal use. A storage building with no connection to a house, farm or business use does not qualify. Division (B) sets the default: unless the following table says otherwise, the height and setback required for an accessory use are the same as for the principal permitted use. A backyard building therefore starts with the same front, side and rear setbacks and the same height limit as the house in its district.

Division (C) is a table of special height and setback figures, with separate front, side, rear and height columns. Rows include barn and out buildings, pet house, garage, utility buildings, swimming pool, television satellite receivers and solar collectors, plus institutional uses such as parsonages, chapels and dormitories. The code does not use the word shed. The notes under the table print the key symbols: 'X' means not permitted and 'Z' means the same requirements as the basic zone. Note (1) covers garages: a free-standing garage must be at least 10 feet from the principal residence, and an attached structure or one closer than 10 feet takes the setbacks of the basic zoning district. Note (2) requires each listed institutional structure to be separated from the principal structure or other structure by at least 20 feet.

A separate rule applies in mapped flood areas. Under § 155.315, an accessory structure in a special flood hazard area designated A must be non-habitable, anchored against flotation, built with flood openings of one square inch per one square foot of floor area (at least two openings on opposite walls), made of flood-resistant materials below a level two feet above base flood elevation, have its utilities elevated, and be used only for storage or parking. Under § 155.026(A) the Planning Director or Zoning Enforcement Officer can require zoning permits for building activity that falls outside the Kentucky Building Code. Frankfort has its own code and is not covered.