Vanderburgh County, IN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

070 treats a shed the way it treats any other accessory structure: it must be operated under the same ownership as the principal home, be a permitted use in the property's zoning district, and remain subordinate in height, lot coverage, and purpose to the principal residential structure. Two setback rules matter most for a typical backyard shed. First, an unattached residential accessory structure must sit at least two feet from any side or rear lot line; a shed attached to or built as part of the house instead has to meet the full Table A setbacks that apply to the principal structure.

Second, a shed generally cannot sit in front of the house at all, unless it is placed at least two hundred feet back from the front property line, a threshold aimed at large rural lots rather than typical residential ones. Every accessory structure also counts toward the property's total lot coverage cap fixed in Table A, so a large shed can push a lot over its district's maximum even if the shed alone meets its setback. 5 acres or more in the 'A' Agricultural district, an accessory structure may be built ahead of the house and may exceed the house's own height and footprint, provided the owner records a completion commitment and the aggregate accessory footprint stays at or under 5,000 square feet. No shed or other structure may sit over or within the right of entry of a regulated drain under Indiana Code 36-9-27.