Tuscaloosa, AL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 25-106, the general standards section for all accessory uses and structures, applies to sheds, detached garages and similar accessory buildings unless a more specific standard elsewhere in the ordinance overrides it. Every accessory structure must sit at least five feet from any lot line in a required side or rear yard, and it cannot cover more than 30 percent of the required rear yard, a coverage limit that applies on top of the district's overall lot coverage standard. In a residential zoning district, three additional rules apply specifically: an accessory structure cannot be located closer to the street than the principal house, it cannot be taller than the principal structure on the same lot, and its building footprint is capped at the larger of 650 square feet or 40 percent of the principal structure's footprint, whichever number works out bigger for that particular lot.

A shed larger than 120 square feet cannot be clad in aluminum or other sheet metal siding, a materials restriction aimed at appearance rather than size. In business or industrial districts, a different rule kicks in for large trailers, manufactured homes, RVs or other objects eight feet or taller: they cannot sit within 20 feet of a public street right-of-way without a special exception use permit under Section 25-39. Accessory structures also cannot be used as a dwelling except where the ordinance specifically allows it, such as an approved accessory dwelling unit.