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

Sec. 150.23, 'Accessory uses and structures,' covers garages, carports, storage buildings, greenhouses, gazebos, and similar structures like sheds in every zone of the City of Muncie. Subsection (A) requires an accessory use or structure to be incidental and commonly associated with the principal use of the lot, operated under the same ownership on the same lot as that principal use, clearly subordinate in height, area, and bulk to the principal use in residence zones, and, in residence zones, not built before the principal building is erected and operating.

It also bars an accessory building from sitting closer to any lot line than the chapter's minimum setback line unless another section states otherwise. Small appurtenant features, walks, driveways, mailboxes, bird baths, dog houses, and similar items, are treated as incidental rather than accessory and fall outside the section's restrictions entirely. Subsection (B) sets the numeric limits for a residential shed or other accessory building: no more than 17 feet in height, and, when placed in the rear yard, no closer than three feet to the side and rear lot lines.

Subsection (C) sets a corner-lot setback for accessory buildings matching the average of the main building's setback and its neighbor's. The rule dates to Ord. No. 934-82, adopted February 7, 1983, with the definitions revised by Ord. No. 40-85 on April 7, 1986.