Montgomery County, VA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

" The ordinance sets three hard numbers: floor area cannot exceed 150 square feet, height cannot exceed 12 feet, and the shed must sit at least 50 feet from any street right-of-way or private access easement at the front of the lot, and at least 20 feet at the rear. These setbacks run from the right-of-way or easement line, not necessarily the rear property line, so the 20-foot figure applies to the road or easement side of a parcel rather than every boundary. The same section treats a shed as one line item in a longer list of yard-permitted accessory uses that also covers clotheslines, fences up to eight feet away from the front yard, balconies and air conditioners.

" Planning and GIS Services, which staffs the Zoning Administrator's office, reviews accessory-structure placement for compliance with these yard standards along with the sight-distance and fire-safety requirements that apply to every structure placed in a required yard. A shed that exceeds 150 square feet, tops 12 feet, or crowds the front or rear setback is out of compliance with § 10-41 even where it otherwise qualifies as a permitted accessory use.