Midland, TX Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Midland, TX, 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
- Max combined size
- 10% of lot (15% on 5+ acre lots)
- Max height
- 15 ft (up to 40 ft on 5+ acre lots)
- Front setback
- 25 feet minimum
- Side/rear setback
- 5 feet minimum
- Livestock building setback
- 200 feet from dwelling or well
- Max penalty
- $2,000 per violation, per day
- Citation
- Midland Code § 11-1-4.09(A)-(D)
Summary
Midland caps residential accessory buildings (sheds, garages, workshops) at 10% of the lot, 15% on lots five acres or larger, under City Code Table 5, § 11-1-4.09(A). A shed on a typical lot tops out at 15 feet tall, needs a 25-foot front setback and a 5-foot side/rear setback, and a livestock building must sit 200 feet from any dwelling or well.
Maximum Square Footage of All Accessory Buildings (Combined Area) 10% of the property 10% of the property 10% of the property 15% of the property Maximum Height of Accessory Buildings 15' 15' Equal to or less than main building 40'** Maximum Number of Accessory Buildings 2 2 3 4** Minimum Front Setback 25'* 25'* 25'* 25'*** Minimum Side and Rear Setback 5' 5' 5' 5' Prohibited Locations Accessory buildings in Easements are prohibited Barns and other Types of Livestock Housing Accessory Buildings containing livestock (e.g., chickens, hogs, horses, etc.) shall be located at least 200 feet from any existing dwelling or water well.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
09(A) sets the numbers. On lots up to 21,999 square feet, all accessory buildings combined cannot exceed 10 percent of the property and may stand no taller than 15 feet; on lots from 22,000 square feet up to 5 acres the 10 percent cap holds but height may match the main house; on lots of 5 acres or more the cap rises to 15 percent, with a single structure allowed up to 40 feet if it stores farm equipment or agricultural products. The code caps the count at two accessory buildings on lots under 22,000 square feet, three up to 5 acres, and four above that.
Every accessory building needs a 25-foot front setback (it can never protrude past the main house), a 5-foot side and rear setback, and 10 to 15 feet on corner lots. Placing one inside a recorded easement is flatly prohibited, and any building housing livestock, chickens, hogs, horses, or similar animals, must sit at least 200 feet from any existing dwelling or water well. 09(B) bars an accessory building serving several dwelling units from being occupied as housing in the AE, CE, SF-1, SF-2, SF-3, or MH districts, and requires at least 10 feet of separation between a detached accessory building and the principal structure.
In nonresidential districts, an accessory building cannot exceed the main building's height or 50 percent of its floor area. 04, unless it sits on a lot of 5 acres or more or is prefabricated; mechanical, HVAC, and utility equipment must be screened from public view.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the Zoning Ordinance, including the accessory building standards in § 11-1-4.09, is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00 per violation under § 11-1-1.06, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The Planning and Development Department reviews accessory structures for compliance with size, setback, and screening rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my shed be in Midland, TX?
How far must a shed sit from my property line in Midland?
Can I keep chickens or a horse in my backyard shed?
What happens if my shed violates Midland's zoning rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
How Midland compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas accessory structures overview
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