Lakeville, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Lakeville City Code section 11-18-7 sets the permit thresholds and setbacks for detached accessory buildings serving single-family dwellings. A shed not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area can be built with only a zoning permit, without a building permit, though it must still comply with every other title provision; the owner must obtain that zoning permit before the shed is constructed or moved onto the property, and the Zoning Administrator reviews the site plan and construction drawings for title compliance. A shed larger than 200 square feet requires a full building permit, reviewed by the building official against the building code and other applicable ordinances.

On the setback side, a shed of 200 square feet or less must sit back at least 6 feet from any other building or structure on the lot and cannot sit within a required buffer yard or drainage or utility easement; it may encroach into the required side or rear yard setback when placed in the rear yard, except on the side of a corner lot abutting a public street, but when that encroachment is used the shed must still keep at least 5 feet from every adjoining lot line.

Larger sheds over 200 square feet face a stiffer standard: a 10-foot setback from other structures and, where side/rear yard encroachment is used, a 10-foot setback from adjoining lots instead of 5 feet. Section 11-18-7(A) caps a lot to one detached accessory building in addition to one garage, and section 11-18-9(C) sets height limits by zoning district, generally 15 to 20 feet for structures accessory to a detached single-family home.