Portland, OR Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Portland, OR, 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 height
- 20 feet
- Max coverage
- 20% of site
- Per-structure cap
- 900 sq ft or primary footprint
- Setback exception zones
- R7, R5, R2.5 only
- Small-structure exception size
- 24 by 24 feet max
Summary
Portland caps detached sheds and other covered accessory structures at 20 feet tall, holds them to standard building setbacks unless they qualify for a small-structure exception, and limits total accessory building coverage to 20 percent of the lot.
Detached covered accessory structures are items such as garages, carports, greenhouses, artist's studios, guest houses, accessory dwelling units, storage buildings, wood sheds, water collection cisterns, and covered decks or patios that are not connected to the primary structure... 1. Height. The maximum height allowed for all detached covered accessory structures and connected covered accessory structures is 20 feet. 2. Setbacks. Except as follows, detached covered accessory structures and connected covered accessory structures are subject to required building setbacks.
Full Breakdown
Portland City Code § 33.110.245 lists wood sheds, storage buildings, garages, and greenhouses together as detached covered accessory structures. They're capped at 20 feet high and must meet the same setbacks as the primary house. In the R7, R5, and R2.5 zones a shed can sit in the side or rear setback if it's at least 40 feet from the front lot line, no bigger than 24x24 feet, no taller than 15 feet with 10-foot walls, and screened from neighbors. Combined accessory-structure coverage can't exceed 20 percent of the site, and each structure is capped at 900 square feet or the smallest primary building's footprint, whichever is greater.
Violations & Fines
Portland Permitting & Development enforces Title 33 under § 33.700.030; violations can trigger a notice of violation and enforcement under Chapter 3.30 and Title 22 of the City Code, including required removal or reconstruction of a nonconforming structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a shed in my Portland backyard setback?
How tall can a Portland shed be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
How Portland compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle shed & carport rules.