Warren, MI Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Warren, MI, 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
- Height limit
- 1 story or 10 feet to eaves
- Rear yard coverage
- Max 30% of rear yard
- Size cap
- 120 sq ft total, excluding garages
- Permit
- Building permit under § 22.02
- Foundation
- Permanent foundation required
- Quantity
- Only one detached accessory structure
Summary
Detached accessory buildings in Warren, including sheds, are capped at one story or 10 feet to the eaves, can't cover more than 30% of the rear yard, and need a Section 22.02 building permit, a permanent foundation, and masonry, wood, or metal construction under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.
(a)All detached accessory buildings shall not exceed one (1) story or ten (10) feet in height measured to the eaves and shall not occupy more than thirty (30) percent of the rear yard. Such buildings shall conform to, and shall not project beyond, the existing side building lines of the principal building on the lot and shall be one (1) foot from the edge of any easement. The construction of all such accessory structures shall be subject to the following conditions:1.That a building permit be obtained as required by Section 22.02 of this ordinance, and that the building be of masonry, wood or metal construction.2.That the building be fixed to a permanent foundation of the type required for detached garages in the Building Code.3.That the accessory building be placed against any other accessory structure, such as a detached garage, that may exist in the yard. Only one (1) detached accessory structure shall be permitted in the yard.4.That no flammable substance be stored in an accessory building unless it is located at least ten (10) feet from any residence.5.That all accessory structures, excluding garages, will not exceed a total of 120 square feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102).
Full Breakdown
20 of Warren's Zoning Ordinance governs every detached accessory building, sheds included, placed in a residential rear yard. Height is capped at one story or 10 feet measured to the eaves, and the structure cannot occupy more than 30 percent of the rear yard. The building must stay within the existing side building lines of the principal house on the lot, meaning it can't project further toward the side property lines than the house itself does, and it must sit at least one foot from the edge of any easement.
Five conditions attach to construction. 02 before work starts, and the shed must be built of masonry, wood, or metal. It must be set on a permanent foundation of the type the Building Code requires for detached garages, not simply placed on blocks or gravel. Only one detached accessory structure is allowed in the yard, and if a shed is added where a detached garage or other accessory building already exists, the new structure must be placed against the existing one rather than standing separately. Flammable substances can't be stored in the shed unless it sits at least 10 feet from any residence. 19's larger footprint and setback allowances.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed without the Section 22.02 permit, exceeding the one-story/10-foot height cap, covering more than 30 percent of the rear yard, skipping the required permanent foundation, or exceeding the combined 120-square-foot limit on non-garage accessory structures makes the structure non-conforming, subjecting the owner to the Zoning Ordinance's general enforcement, correction orders, and civil-infraction penalties until the shed is brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my shed be in Warren?
Do I need a permit to put up a shed?
Can I have both a shed and a detached garage in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Warren
How Warren compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Warren to another location·View the Michigan accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle shed & carport rules.