Harrisburg, PA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 7-307.6 of the Harrisburg Zoning Code sets three rules for every accessory building, structure or use in the City. First, the setback requirements of the applicable district apply to the accessory structure unless Chapter 7-307 states a clearly more restrictive or less restrictive standard for a particular accessory use. Second, no accessory structure, use or building is permitted in a required front yard in any district unless the Code specifically permits it. Third, any portion of a building, such as a garage, that is structurally attached to a principal building is considered part of the principal building when setbacks are determined.

Section 7-333.2 shows that a shed falls inside these rules. A residential accessory structure or use is a use or structure clearly accessory, customary and incidental to a principal residential use on a lot, and the definition lists garage (household), household swimming pool, storage shed and greenhouse. An accessory structure is a structure serving a purpose customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use on the same lot, and it is not attached to the principal building. The same section defines a building as a structure with a permanent roof and walls and a total area under roof of greater than 50 cubic feet.

The district setback figures themselves sit in the development standards that the code prints as an attachment to Chapter 7-307 under § 7-307.3A, and all measurements are in feet unless otherwise stated. Where the Code states different requirements for the same structure, § 7-305.7 applies the most restrictive requirement. Section 7-307.7 lets stairs, stoops and landings project a maximum of three feet into a required yard, routine architectural features such as eaves and gutters a maximum of two feet, and a patio project into a yard if it has no structural roof.

Any request for relief from the development standards requires a variance permit from the Zoning Hearing Board under § 7-307.2 and Chapter 7-323. A shed attached to the house stops being an accessory structure and is measured as part of the house.