Quincy, MA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Quincy, MA, 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 height
- 10 feet
- Max garage height
- 16 feet
- Side/rear setback
- 6 feet
- Distance from other buildings
- 10 feet minimum
- Size cap
- 25% of house floor area
Summary
Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) zoning allows toolsheds and storage sheds up to 10 feet tall in every residence district by right, with a six-foot rear/side setback, a 25%-of-house size cap, and a 10-foot gap from other buildings.
Toolsheds, garden sheds, storage sheds, or other like buildings not more than 10 feet in height shall be allowed as accessory uses in the residence districts. Garages are allowed up to a maximum of 16 feet in height. Any such building shall meet the minimum front yard requirements; however, the minimum rear and side yard setback shall be six feet. No such building shall be higher than one story, which for the purposes of this section only shall be measured from the floor to the peak of the roof, nor shall such building exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure on the lot. Any such building shall be located at least 10 feet away from any other building or structure. Such buildings shall be properly anchored for wind loading. [Amended 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-012] 2. Parking of commercial vehicles. The following regulations shall govern the off-street parking of commercial vehicles in the residence districts:
a. Not more than one commercial vehicle of not more than 10,000 gross vehicle weight (gvw) may be parked or garaged on the premises.
b. Not more than one commercial vehicle of 10,000 to 20,000 gvw may be garaged on the premises; no outdoor parking of such vehicles is permitted.
c. The outdoor parking or garaging of a commercial vehicle of more than 20,000 gvw is prohibited.
3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
Quincy's zoning ordinance treats toolsheds, garden sheds and storage sheds as an accessory use allowed by right in every residence district (A, B and C), capped at 10 feet in height: garages get a taller 16-foot cap. A shed must still meet the district's full front-yard setback, but the rear and side setback drops to just six feet. It's limited to one story, can't exceed 25% of the principal house's gross floor area, and must sit at least 10 feet from any other building on the lot; anchoring for wind load is mandatory.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed over 10 feet tall, inside the six-foot side/rear setback, closer than 10 feet to another structure, or exceeding 25% of the house's floor area violates § 3.2.3(1) and can trigger a stop-work order from Inspectional Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my shed be in Quincy, Massachusetts?
How close to my property line can I put a shed in Quincy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
How Quincy compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Quincy to another location·View the Massachusetts accessory structures overview
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