Shed & Outbuilding Permits: Arlington vs Somerville
How do shed & outbuilding permits rules compare between Arlington, MA and Somerville, MA?
Somerville has fewer restrictions than Arlington.
Arlington, MA
Middlesex County
Arlington requires a building permit for accessory structures larger than 200 square feet under the 2018 IRC. Sheds must observe 3-foot side and 5-foot rear setbacks from property lines and may not exceed 15 feet in ridge height. Permits are filed through Arlington Online Permitting (OpenGov portal) and reviewed by Inspectional Services.
View full Arlington rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Under the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR), one-story detached storage sheds of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. Sheds over 200 square feet require a permit from the local building department. All sheds must comply with municipal zoning setback requirements, which vary by town.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Trigger | Over 200 sq ft | - |
| Max Ridge Height | 15 feet | - |
| Setbacks | 3 ft side / 5 ft rear | - |
| Apply Online | Arlington OpenGov portal | - |
| No Permit | - | ≤200 sq ft, one story |
| Permit Required | - | >200 sq ft |
| Setback | - | 5–10 ft typical (varies by town) |
| Zoning Permit | - | May be required locally |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Do I need a permit for a small shed in Arlington, MA?
Sheds 200 square feet or smaller generally don't need a state building permit, but you must still comply with the local zoning bylaw setbacks (3 ft side, 5 ft rear) and lot coverage. Anything 200 sq ft or larger needs a permit through the OpenGov portal.
How tall can my shed be in Arlington?
Maximum ridge height is 15 feet under the Inspectional Services accessory-structure quick guide. Side setback is 3 feet and rear setback is 5 feet for most lots.
Somerville FAQ
Do I need a permit for a shed in Middlesex County?
Under the Massachusetts Building Code, sheds of 200 square feet or less (one story, no utilities) do not require a building permit. Sheds over 200 square feet require a permit. Check with your town's building department for local zoning requirements.
How close can I put a shed to my property line?
Setback requirements vary by municipality and zoning district, typically 5–10 feet from property lines. Even permit-exempt sheds must comply with local zoning setbacks. Contact your town's building or zoning department for specific requirements.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington and Somerville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool