New York, NY Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

New York City Zoning Resolution Section 23-341 ("Permitted obstructions in required rear yards or rear yard equivalents") allows, in all Residence Districts, certain accessory structures as obstructions within a required rear yard or rear yard equivalent. Among the permitted obstructions are "Sheds, tool rooms or other similar accessory buildings or other structures for domestic or agricultural storage, with a height not exceeding 10 feet above the level of the rear yard or rear yard equivalent." The same section permits noncommercial accessory greenhouses, limited to one story or 15 feet in height above adjoining grade (whichever is less) and to an area not exceeding 25 percent of a required rear yard. Because these are permitted obstructions only in rear yards, storage sheds may not be placed in required front or side yards. Separately from zoning, the NYC Department of Buildings advises that homeowners generally do not need to file work plans or obtain permits for a backyard shed unless it will be located within three feet of a property line; sheds must still comply with the Zoning Resolution's rear-yard placement and 10-foot height limit. For minor accessory structures, the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code exempts certain small structures, but in New York City the more specific Construction Codes and Zoning Resolution control.