Sangamon County, IL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Sangamon County, IL, 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
- Governing chapter
- Title 17, Chapter 17.36
- Rear yard setback
- 3 feet from property line
- Building separation
- 6 feet from principal building
- Max height (R-1–RM-4)
- 18 feet
Summary
Sheds and other accessory buildings in unincorporated Sangamon County must sit at least 3 feet from a rear lot line, 6 feet from the main house, and cannot exceed 18 feet in residential districts.
No accessory building or structure except solar energy systems, unless structurally part of the principal building, shall be erected, altered or moved to a location within six (6) feet of the nearest wall of the principal building, nor within the required front yard or within the minimum area specified for side yards. No principal building shall be erected, enlarged, altered or moved to a location within six (6) feet of the nearest wall of any existing garage or accessory building. An accessory building or structure in a required rear yard shall be not less than three (3) feet from any property line. On a corner lot where the side lot line is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the first lot to the rear, accessory buildings or structures shall be set back from the property line adjoining the street the distance required for a front yard in the district in which the accessory building or structure is located. The maximum height allowed for any detached garage or accessory building in the R-1, R-2, R-3 or RM-4 districts is eighteen (18) feet.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 17.36 governs accessory buildings and structures, including sheds, in the county's unincorporated zoning districts. Section 17.36.010 bars placing a shed within six feet of the principal building unless structurally attached, and forbids location in a required front yard or the minimum side yard area. In a rear yard the shed must sit at least three feet from any property line (eighteen inches on lots of record before the ordinance's effective date), and in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and RM-4 residential districts the maximum height for a detached garage or accessory building is eighteen feet.
Violations & Fines
A shed placed inside the six-foot building separation, in a front yard, or over the 18-foot height cap in a residential district is not a code-compliant accessory structure and can be ordered relocated, altered or removed by the zoning administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this shed rule apply in Springfield or Chatham?
Can I build a shed right next to my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sangamon County
How Sangamon County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Sangamon County to another location·View the Illinois accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.