In Philadelphia, sheds up to 120 sq ft located in the rear yard of one- or two-family dwellings do not require a building permit. Larger sheds require permits. Sheds between 120 and 200 cubic feet need a zoning permit but not a building permit.
Philadelphia's permit requirements for sheds are outlined in Section A-301.1 of the Philadelphia Building Code. Sheds, playhouses, pergolas, and similar accessory structures up to 120 square feet in area, located in the rear yard of one- or two-family dwellings, are exempt from building permits. For sheds between 120 and 200 cubic feet, a zoning permit is required but a building permit is not needed. Sheds over 200 cubic feet require a full building permit. All sheds must comply with the Zoning Code (Title 14) setback requirements for the property's zoning district. Sheds must be placed in the rear yard — front yard placement is not permitted. Pre-fabricated sheds are subject to the same rules based on their size. Electrical or plumbing additions to any shed require separate permits regardless of the shed's size. In historic districts, the Philadelphia Historical Commission may need to review even permit-exempt sheds if they are visible from the public right-of-way.
Unpermitted sheds over the exempt size thresholds face L&I violations. Property owners may need to obtain retroactive permits or remove non-compliant structures. Setback violations may require relocation. In historic districts, unapproved structures may face Historical Commission action.
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See how Philadelphia County's shed & outbuilding permits rules stack up against other locations.
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