Miami-Dade County, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Miami-Dade County, FL, 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 shed size
- 400 sq ft per lot
- Small-shed threshold
- 100 sq ft, 10 ft height
- Small-shed setbacks
- 55 ft front, 5 ft rear/side
- Reduced setback option
- 2 ft with neighbor consent affidavit
- Scope
- Unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA) only
Summary
Miami-Dade County caps utility sheds at 400 square feet per lot in unincorporated areas, with a relaxed 5-foot setback for small sheds under 100 square feet and 10-foot height, though larger sheds must meet full accessory-building setbacks.
Utility sheds and pergolas...there shall be no more than one utility shed per residential lot, up to a maximum of 400 square feet in size...Utility sheds and pergolas not larger than 100 square feet, not exceeding 10 feet in height, and incidental to an existing single-family residential use shall be setback as follows: Front 55; Rear 5; or 2 *; Interior side 5; or 2 *; Spacing from house 10; Side street 10.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Miami-Dade County § 33-20(l), a residential lot gets no more than one utility shed, capped at 400 square feet, subject to the rear-yard lot-coverage limit for accessory buildings. Sheds and pergolas of 100 square feet or less that are no taller than 10 feet get a reduced setback table: 55 feet from the front line, 5 feet from the rear and interior side lines (down to 2 feet with a notarized affidavit consenting neighbor), 10 feet from the house, and 10 feet from a side street. Anything larger than 100 square feet must instead meet the full accessory-building setback table in Section 33-50. A building permit and a declaration of use barring living-quarters use are both required before construction. This applies only in unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA). Chapter 33 zoning does not reach the 34 incorporated municipalities.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a shed without a permit, exceeding the 400-square-foot cap, or violating the setback table is a zoning violation enforceable under Chapter 8CC; a shed used for living quarters breaches the required declaration of use and can trigger revocation and a compliance order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in unincorporated Miami-Dade?
How close to my property line can a shed be built?
Do these shed rules apply in the City of Miami or Miami Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
How Miami-Dade County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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