Winter Haven, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 21-102 of the Winter Haven Unified Land Development Code governs freestanding accessory structures such as storage sheds, pool service buildings, gazebos, bath houses, greenhouses, workshops, pergolas, detached garages, detached carports and screened enclosures. The section restricts these structures to the rear or side yard of a lot unless the Code specifically allows otherwise, and it prohibits building an accessory structure before the principal structure is in place. Development standards including setbacks, lot coverage, structure height and structure separation are not spelled out once for the whole city; instead they vary by zoning district under the accessory-structure tables in Article II, Division 2.

Where a Planned Unit Development's own standards are silent, the Code defaults single-family accessory structures to the R-2 zoning district table, multi-family accessory structures to the R-3 table, and commercial accessory structures to the C-3 table. A shed cannot be plumbed with its own water meter or wired with its own electric meter separate from the principal use, and it cannot be used as habitable living space unless it independently qualifies as an accessory residential unit, capped at one per lot. Manufactured or mobile homes, trailers, RVs and any vehicle are barred outright from serving as an accessory structure.

Detached garages and carports must be built of wood, masonry or metal and engineered to withstand Florida Building Code wind-load requirements, and the building division must issue a permit before construction starts; temporary canvas, vinyl or plastic carports without a permanent foundation are prohibited entirely. A nonconforming accessory structure that is destroyed, or whose use lapses for ninety consecutive days, cannot be rebuilt or reestablished.