Southborough, MA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Southborough, 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
- Rear and side setback
- 10 feet for accessory buildings in Residence A and B
- Height limit
- 17 feet, one story for accessory buildings
- Shed status
- Named in the definition of structure in § 174-2
- Small-structure exemption
- Three feet high or six feet in any dimension, five feet from lines
- Permit
- Required before a structure is erected (§ 174-24(A))
- Maximum fine
- $300 per offense, each day separate
Summary
In Southborough, a shed is a structure under Chapter 174, and an accessory building in Residence A must sit 10 feet from the rear and side lot lines and stay within 17 feet and one story. A permit is required before any structure is erected. Only very small items escape the yard rules.
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR USE A building, structure or use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal permitted use of the building or land, located on the same lot as the principal permitted building or use, and not prohibited by this chapter. ... STRUCTURE A man-made combination of materials assembled in a fixed location to give support or shelter or for any other purpose, including buildings, frameworks, platforms, sheds and the like, provided that signs, utility poles and small decorative or accessory structures not over three feet in height or six feet in any dimension, such as sculptures, mailboxes, birdbaths, benches and the like, shall not be subject to the yard requirements of this chapter if located at least five feet from side or rear lot lines. ( ... b) Rear: 50 feet; ... 10 feet for accessory buildings and swimming pools. (c) Side: 25 feet; 10 feet for accessory buildings and swimming pools. ... (4) Maximum height: 35 feet, 2 1/2 stories (17 feet, one story for accessory buildings).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 174 defines an accessory building or use as a building, structure or use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal permitted use of the building or land, located on the same lot as the principal permitted building or use, and not prohibited by the chapter. The definition of STRUCTURE names sheds directly, listing buildings, frameworks, platforms, sheds and the like.
In the Residence A district, § 174-8.2(D)(3) sets the rear and side setbacks at 50 and 25 feet for the house but 10 feet at both the rear and the side for accessory buildings and swimming pools. Section 174-8.2(D)(4) caps height at 35 feet and 2 1/2 stories for the house, and at 17 feet and one story for accessory buildings. Residence B uses the same 10 feet at the rear and side for accessory buildings and swimming pools and the same 17 feet, one story limit under § 174-8.3(D)(3) and (D)(4). Pre-1966 Residence C lots under § 174-8.3(E) also keep 10 feet at the rear and limit accessory buildings to one story.
Only a narrow class of small objects is exempt from yard requirements. The STRUCTURE definition says signs, utility poles and small decorative or accessory structures not over three feet in height or six feet in any dimension, such as sculptures, mailboxes, birdbaths, benches and the like, are not subject to the yard requirements of the chapter if located at least five feet from side or rear lot lines. Fences not over six feet in height are not considered structures. A typical shed larger than those limits is a structure and follows the 10 foot rule.
Section 174-24(A) requires a permit: no structure shall be erected, altered, demolished or moved until and unless a permit has been issued. The sections quoted here set no floor-area cap for accessory buildings. A detached garage follows the use list: § 174-8.2(A)(8) permits private garage or private parking for not more than three vehicles accessory to a permitted principal use on the same lot, and § 174-8.2(B)(12) requires a special permit for more than three.
Violations & Fines
The Building Inspector, acting as Zoning Enforcement Officer, enforces Chapter 174 under § 174-24. Building a shed or other structure without a permit, or inside a required setback, is punished by a fine not exceeding $300 for each offense, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can also use noncriminal disposition under MGL c. 40, § 21D.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from the property line must a shed be in Southborough?
How tall can a shed or detached accessory building be?
Do I need a permit to put up a shed?
Is a detached garage treated like a shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southborough
Compare Southborough to another location·View the Massachusetts accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle shed & carport rules.