Plymouth, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Plymouth, MN, 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
- No-permit shed size
- 200 sq ft or less
- Alley setback
- 20 feet
- FRD/RSF total accessory space cap
- 30% of rear yard or 700 sq ft
- Max detached buildings per lot
- two (only one over 200 sq ft)
- Height limit
- never taller than the house
Summary
Sheds and other detached accessory buildings in the City of Plymouth need no building permit under 200 square feet, but every size must follow Section 21120.02's rules: no placement before the house is built, no front yard, a 20-foot setback from an alley, and a height that never exceeds the principal building.
Subd. 1.No detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal building to which it is accessory.Subd. 2.Unless otherwise allowed by this Chapter, no detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed within a front yard, except that a detached accessory building, structure, or use may be allowed within a front yard that qualifies as an equivalent rear or side yard as defined by this Chapter, provided it meets the minimum front yard setback specified for the principal building on the lot.Subd. 3.Accessory buildings having direct vehicular access onto an alley shall be set back at least 20 feet from the alley lot line. In cases where reasonable difficulty is encountered in meeting this requirement, the Zoning Administrator may approve deviations to the setback standard.Subd. 4.No building permit shall be required for detached accessory buildings containing 200 square feet in gross floor area or less, however, such buildings shall comply with all applicable regulations set forth in this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
02, Subd. 1 bars any detached accessory building from going up before the principal building it serves. Subd. 2 keeps sheds out of the front yard, unless that yard legally qualifies as an equivalent rear or side yard under the Chapter's yard definitions. Subd. 3 requires a 20-foot setback from an alley lot line for any accessory building with alley access, though the Zoning Administrator may approve deviations where the standard is impractical. Subd. 4 sets the no-permit threshold at 200 square feet of gross floor area or less (measured including eave overhangs beyond 24 inches), but even a permit-free shed must meet every other Chapter standard, and pre-manufactured structures of any size must be installed to manufacturer specifications.
03, Subd. 1, single- and two-family lots in the FRD and RSF Districts cap total detached accessory space at 30 percent of the rear yard or 700 square feet, whichever is less, and a greenhouse alone may not exceed 200 square feet; a conditional use permit is the only way past those limits in FRD. Subd. 4 of that same section limits a single- or two-family lot to two detached accessory buildings, only one of which may top 200 square feet. 02, Subd. 7(a), matching its design elements, colors and building materials.
Violations & Fines
An accessory building that skips the required setback, size cap or design match violates the Zoning Ordinance, a misdemeanor under Section 21050.05 punishable up to Minnesota's maximum misdemeanor fine, with each day the shed remains noncompliant a separate violation. The Zoning Administrator can order it altered, relocated or removed under Section 21050.03, after written notice of the violation under Section 21050.01.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in Plymouth?
How far from the alley must my Plymouth shed sit?
How big can my total shed and garage space be on a Plymouth house lot?
Can my shed be a different color than my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth
How Plymouth compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Plymouth to another location·View the Minnesota accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle shed & carport rules.