Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Irondequoit, NY Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

Shed permit rules in Irondequoit, NY, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.

Key Facts

Sheds covered
Sheds and storage structures greater than 30 square feet
Side and rear setback
No closer than four feet to the property lines
Distance from house
No closer than six feet to the principal building
Maximum height
Principal structure height or 12 feet, whichever is less
Front yard
Detached accessory structures not allowed
Lot coverage
Counted toward the 25% cap

Summary

In the Town of Irondequoit, sheds and storage structures greater than 30 square feet are accessory structures that must sit no closer than four feet to the rear or side lot line, six feet from the house, behind the front yard, and no taller than 12 feet under Town of Irondequoit Code § 235-13.

B. Accessory structures and uses shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: private garages, sheds and storage structures greater than 30 square feet, pergolas, gazebos, private swimming pools, decks, children's playhouses, tennis courts, animal shelters greater than 16 square feet, and other such structures or uses as may be similar in area, extent and purpose. C. Accessory structures and uses shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Detached accessory structures and uses shall not be located within the front yard. ... (3) Side and rear setbacks. Detached accessory structures and uses, excluding private garages, shall be located no closer than four feet to the rear or side property lines and no closer than six feet to the principal building. (4) Height. Detached accessory structures, excluding private garages, shall not be higher than the principal structure or 12 feet, whichever is less. Bulk requirements for private garages are provided in § 235-13D. ... (6) Accessory structures and uses shall be included in the calculation of lot coverage.

Full Breakdown

Section 235-13 of the Town of Irondequoit zoning chapter, in Article IV for the R-R, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential Districts, treats a shed as an accessory structure once it passes 30 square feet. The same list covers private garages, pergolas, gazebos, private swimming pools, decks, children's playhouses, tennis courts and animal shelters greater than 16 square feet. An accessory structure is allowed only in connection with a principal use that lawfully exists.

Placement. A detached accessory structure cannot be located in the front yard. On a corner lot it must sit behind the front building line of the principal structure as measured from either street. Detached accessory structures other than private garages must be no closer than four feet to the rear or side property lines and no closer than six feet to the principal building.

Height. A detached accessory structure other than a private garage cannot be higher than the principal structure or 12 feet, whichever is less.

Attachment. A structure attached to the principal structure, or within six feet of it, excluding attached decks, is treated as an integral part of that structure, so the front, side and rear setbacks for the district apply instead of the four foot rule.

Coverage and size. Accessory structures count toward lot coverage under § 235-13C(6), against the 25% cap in § 235-10. Storage structures larger than 200 square feet in floor area must meet the garage regulations in § 235-13D. Private garages have their own limits, including a 900 square foot maximum ground floor area and 12 foot height in R-1, R-2 and R-3. No business, occupation, service or residence is allowed in a private garage.

Violations & Fines

A shed built in the front yard or inside the four foot side and rear setback violates § 235-13 and is an offense under § 235-102: a fine not to exceed $350, up to six months in jail, or both for a first conviction, then $350 to $700 for a second within five years and $700 to $1,000 for a third. Each week of continued violation counts separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close can a shed be to the property line in the Town of Irondequoit?
A detached accessory structure other than a private garage must be located no closer than four feet to the rear or side property lines and no closer than six feet to the principal building, according to § 235-13C(3). Detached private garages follow the separate setbacks in § 235-13D.
How tall can a backyard shed be?
Section 235-13C(4) says a detached accessory structure, excluding private garages, shall not be higher than the principal structure or 12 feet, whichever is less. Private garages have their own caps in § 235-13D: 12 feet in R-1, R-2 and R-3 and 15 feet in R-R, in each case not above the principal structure.
Can a shed go in the front yard or on the street side of a corner lot?
No. Detached accessory structures and uses cannot be located within the front yard, and on a corner lot they must sit behind the front building line of the principal structure as measured from either street. Section 235-11B(5) also applies the front yard setback to every yard adjacent to a street on a corner lot.
What happens if the shed is attached to or close to the house?
An accessory structure attached to the principal structure, or within six feet of it, excluding attached decks, is treated as an integral part of that structure under § 235-13C(5). The front, side and rear setbacks for the district then apply, not the four foot accessory setback.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Irondequoit

All Irondequoit rules

How Irondequoit compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·New York rules heatmap·Compare Irondequoit to another location·View the New York accessory structures overview

Get notified when Shed & Carport Rules in Irondequoit, NY changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Monroe County handle shed & carport rules.

Rochester, NY
Some Restrictions