Philadelphia, PA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Philadelphia, PA, 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
- Code Section
- Phila. L&I Permit Guide PG_011; Zoning Code Sec. 14-604(2)
- Permit-Free Size
- 120 sq. ft. or less, in rear yard, one- or two-family dwelling
- Height Limit
- Not more than 15 ft. and not more than one story
- Zoning Permit Needed
- Front/side yard placement, or shed over 120 sq. ft.
- Building Permit Needed
- Sheds over 200 sq. ft.
Summary
Philadelphia exempts a small shed from permits only when it is 120 sq. ft. or less, no taller than 15 ft. (one story), located in the rear yard, and accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling - per L&I Permit Guide PG_011 and the Zoning Code. A shed in a front or side yard, or larger than 120 sq. ft., requires a zoning permit, and a shed over 200 sq. ft. requires both a zoning and a building permit.
The following table outlines permitting requirements for sheds that are accessory to one- or two-family dwellings: [Shed 120 ft2] In rear yard: Zoning Permit Not Required; In front / side yard: Zoning Permit Required; [> 120 ft2 and 130 ft2] Allowable per Zoning Code, Zoning Permit Required, Building Permit Not Required; [> 130 ft2 and 200 ft2] Not permitted per Zoning Code; [> 200 ft2] Zoning Permit Required, Building Permit Required. Notes: 1. Same requirements apply to playhouses and pergolas. 2. Minimum yard and setback requirements apply. 3. Shall not exceed 15 ft in height. 4. If the application includes a shed that is not permitted by the zoning code, a refusal will be issued by L&I. An appeal must be filed with the Zoning Board of Adjustments. The appeal requires a community meeting and a public hearing. 5. Shall not exceed one-story. Both zoning and building permits are required for sheds accessory to all other uses.
Full Breakdown
The city's L&I Permit Guide PG_011 (FAQ: I want to build or place a shed on my property) sets a tiered permit table for sheds accessory to one- or two-family dwellings. or less in the rear yard needs no zoning permit (the same exemption applies to playhouses and pergolas) and needs no building permit if it does not exceed one story; the same shed in a front or side yard still requires a zoning permit. or less in height. , or any shed exceeding the Zoning Code's size limits, requires both a zoning permit and a building permit; if the shed exceeds what the Zoning Code permits, L&I issues a refusal and the owner must appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a community meeting and public hearing.
Minimum yard and setback requirements always apply, and sheds in a historic district or on a property on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places are subject to Historical Commission review (Chapter 14-1000). Sheds accessory to all other uses require both zoning and building permits. in height under Section 14-604(2).
Violations & Fines
Building a shed that exceeds Zoning Code size limits, or placing one in a front/side yard without the required zoning permit, draws a refusal or violation notice from the Department of Licenses and Inspections; correcting it requires either removal or a Zoning Board of Adjustment appeal (community meeting plus public hearing). Additional electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits may also be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in Philadelphia?
What if my shed is in the side or front yard?
How big can a shed get before I need a building permit?
Is there a hard size cap on residential accessory structures?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
How Philadelphia compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania accessory structures overview
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