Shed permit rules in Washtenaw County, MI — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In Ann Arbor, accessory buildings like sheds may not exceed 21 feet in height. Sheds 200 sq ft or larger need a building permit; smaller sheds still need a zoning compliance permit. Detached sheds must sit at least 3 feet from lot lines.
Washtenaw County does not zone land, so shed rules come from your city or township. Under Ann Arbor's Zoning Ordinance, an accessory building is a subordinate structure on the same lot as the principal building; examples include garden sheds, garages, and workshops. Accessory buildings may not be used as sleeping rooms or dwellings. Detached accessory buildings may sit in the required side or rear open space if they are farther from the street than the principal building and more than 3 feet from any lot line (structures over 200 sq ft may need more separation for fire rating). Accessory structures may occupy no more than 35% of the required rear open space.
Building or zoning without required permits is a municipal civil infraction; the city may order correction, removal, or fines through Planning & Development Services.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Washtenaw County, MI
Washtenaw County has no dedicated hoarding ordinance, but Michigan's animal-cruelty law requires adequate care for every animal and escalates penalties sharp...
Washtenaw County, MI
Washtenaw County has no wildlife-feeding ordinance, but a statewide ban prohibits feeding and baiting deer and elk throughout the Lower Peninsula, which incl...
Washtenaw County, MI
Backyard composting is allowed in Ann Arbor, which also runs curbside compost and yard-waste collection. Grass clippings, leaves, and yard waste must not be ...
Washtenaw County, MI
Neither Washtenaw County nor Ann Arbor has a specific ordinance banning or permitting residential artificial turf. It is generally allowed, subject to standa...
Washtenaw County, MI
Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor allow and actively encourage native-plant and pollinator landscaping. The 12-inch turf-grass cap targets neglected lawns, not ...
Washtenaw County, MI
Rainwater harvesting is legal and unrestricted for homeowners in Washtenaw County and Michigan. Ann Arbor actively encourages rain barrels, rain gardens, and...
See how Washtenaw County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.