Washington, DC Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Washington, DC, 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
- Maximum shed area
- 50 sq. ft.
- Maximum shed height
- Under 10 ft.
- Shed rear/side yard placement
- Allowed inside required yard
- Other accessory building max size (R zone)
- Greater of 30% rear yard or 450 sq. ft.
- Other accessory building max height (R zone)
- 2 stories / 22 ft.
- Governing citations
- 11 DCMR Subtitle B § 100.2; Subtitle D §§ 5002-5005
Summary
DC zoning caps a shed at 50 square feet and 10 feet in height under its own definition, and gives sheds a setback exemption other accessory buildings don't get: a shed can sit inside a required rear or side yard where larger accessory structures cannot.
Shed: An accessory building, not used for habitable or automobile purposes, that does not exceed 50 square feet (50 sq. ft.) in area and is less than 10 feet (10 ft.) in overall height. ... 5004.2 A shed may be located within a required rear yard of a principal building. ... 5005.2 A shed may be located within a required side yard of a principal building.
Full Breakdown
" Anything larger or used for habitation or vehicle storage is a general accessory building governed by Subtitle D, Chapter 50 instead. 1 limits building area to the greater of 30% of the required rear yard or 450 square feet. 3 like any other accessory building, a homeowner adding a shed still needs to track total lot coverage even though the shed itself is exempt from the yard setbacks that apply to larger sheds, garages, or studios.
Violations & Fines
A structure exceeding the 50-square-foot/10-foot shed threshold but placed in a required rear or side yard as though it were a shed is treated as a non-conforming accessory building, subject to a Department of Buildings stop-work order and required relocation or removal, or a variance/special exception application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for relief from the setback.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a shed be in a DC backyard without extra zoning review?
Can a shed sit right up against my DC property line?
Does a shed count against my DC lot occupancy limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
How Washington compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia accessory structures overview
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