Shed permit rules in Union County, NJ — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Shed construction requires zoning permits from the local municipality. NJ UCC generally exempts sheds under 100–200 sq ft from building permits (varies by municipality). Must comply with setback requirements.
Union County building code may exempt small accessory structures under 100 to 200 square feet from building permits per NJ UCC, provided they are single-story and not for habitation. However, a zoning permit may still be required. Structures over the exemption threshold require building permits. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks (typically 3 to 5 feet from property lines). Electrical connections require permits. NJ’s smaller lots make setback compliance a common issue.
Unpermitted structure: retroactive permit with penalty. Setback violation: modification or removal. Habitation: immediate correction.
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See how Union County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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