Spokane Valley, WA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Spokane Valley, WA, 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
- Shed setback
- 5 ft from rear/side lines
- Front yard sheds
- Not allowed
- Permit-exempt size
- 200 sq ft or less
- Combined accessory footprint cap
- 1,000 sq ft or 10% of lot
- Cargo containers
- Banned as accessory structures
Summary
A shed in Spokane Valley needs at least five feet of clearance from the rear and side property lines and cannot sit in the front yard, per SVMC § 19.70.050(C). Sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit, but the exemption doesn't waive the setback.
Accessory Structures.
1. The combined building footprint of all accessory permanent structures in residential zoning districts shall be:
a. Up to 1,000 square feet for parcels up to 10,000 square feet in size; or
b. Up to 10 percent of the lot size for parcels greater than 10,000 square feet in size. ...
C. Accessory structures shall not be erected within five feet of any rear or side property line, or be located within the front yard or any public or private easement. ...
Section 105.2, Work exempt from permit, Building: 1. to read as follows: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (11.15 m2).
Full Breakdown
' That five-foot buffer and front-yard ban apply regardless of the shed's size or whether it needs a permit. 130(A) caps the combined footprint of all permanent accessory structures on a residential lot at 1,000 square feet for parcels up to 10,000 square feet, or 10 percent of lot size for larger parcels, so multiple sheds and outbuildings on the same lot share one ceiling. 130(A). 130(A)(2) bars them as an accessory structure in any residential zoning district, permit-exempt size or not.
Violations & Fines
A shed built inside the five-foot setback, or placed in the front yard in violation of SVMC § 19.70.050(C), is a zoning violation processed under Chapter 17.100 SVMC: a warning first, then a notice and order with civil penalties if the shed isn't relocated. A shed over 200 square feet built without the required building permit exposes the owner to the investigation fee under SVMC § 24.40.030(B)(5), equal to the permit fee that should have been paid, on top of that fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Spokane Valley?
How close to my property line can I put a shed?
Can I use a shipping container as a storage shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane Valley
How Spokane Valley compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Spokane Valley to another location·View the Washington accessory structures overview
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