Hendersonville, TN Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10.4 (Residential Accessory Building Standards), as summarized in the city's Accessory Structure Guidelines (updated 6/22/2022), governs sheds and other detached accessory buildings on residential lots. Allowed yards: rear yard; beside the house no closer to the street than the house; and side-street yard subject to special rules. Side setbacks: 10-foot minimum from side lines in Suburban Residential, Low Density (SR-1); 8-foot minimum in Suburban Residential, Medium Density (SR-2); variable based on easement locations. Rear setbacks: 20-foot minimum in both SR-1 and SR-2. Side-street setback: 20 feet from the side-street lot line. EXCEPTION: if the structure is not over 400 square feet AND at least 10 feet from the house, a 5-foot side and rear setback applies (this exception does not apply to the rear setback of double-frontage lots). Arbors, trellises, gazebos, and pergolas detached from the house that do not exceed 120 sq ft combined or 15 ft high may even be located in the front yard within 20 ft of the street. Accessory buildings may NOT be located on an easement (exception if no permanent foundation — see Ch. 10.4.4.4.D). A property may have a maximum of 2 accessory buildings (arbors/trellises/gazebos/pergolas under 120 sq ft / 15 ft high don't count). Combined size cap (2 buildings, whichever is less of 50% of principal dwelling OR): <15,000 sq ft lot — 800 sq ft; 15,001-29,999 sq ft — 1,200 sq ft; 30,000-43,559 sq ft — 1,500 sq ft; 1-3 acres — 1,800 sq ft; 3+ acres — 2,500 sq ft. Height: not to exceed the existing house OR 35 ft, whichever is less; for single-story houses, 1.5× the height of the existing house. Building materials: if the structure is over 120 sq ft AND located in any yard other than the rear yard, it must be constructed of the same materials and architectural style as the existing house (Ch. 10.4.1.7). Additional restrictions may apply via subdivision covenants, plat notes, deed restrictions, or Planned Development master plans. Tennessee follows the 2018 IRC (with state amendments) for residential building permits — structures over 200 sq ft generally require a building permit from the Codes Department.