Shed permit rules in Lynn, MA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Lynn does not require a building permit for a shed under 200 square feet. Larger structures need a permit. Sheds accessory to one- or two-family homes may not exceed 15 feet tall and must sit in the rear setback.
Lynn Inspectional Services does not require a building permit for a shed less than 200 square feet; anything 200 square feet or larger needs a building permit. Under the 2025 Lynn Zoning Ordinance (Section 4.5), structures accessory to one- and two-family dwellings may not exceed 15 feet in height. In residential districts no accessory structure may sit in the required front or side setback, but it may be built in the rear setback. Total accessory-use area is capped at 25% of the principal use's floor or lot area. Even permit-exempt sheds must still meet these zoning setback and height limits.
A shed of 200 square feet or more without a permit, or any shed placed in a front or side setback, is a zoning violation subject to correction orders and removal. Retroactive permits carry penalty fees.
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