In unincorporated Maricopa County, accessory structures under 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are exempt from building permits. Larger sheds require a building permit. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks and lot coverage limits.
Under Maricopa County's building code (adopting the International Building Code), a building permit is not required for a structure that is less than 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections. Structures over 200 square feet require a building permit, which involves plan submittal, plan review, and inspections. All sheds, regardless of permit exemption, must comply with zoning setback requirements — typically 10-20 feet from rear property lines and 5-10 feet from side property lines, varying by zoning district. Sheds must not exceed lot coverage limits. In the Rural zone districts common in unincorporated areas, larger accessory structures may be permitted. Prefabricated metal sheds and shipping containers used as storage may have additional zoning restrictions. Sheds in hillside management areas have additional design and engineering requirements.
Building a shed over 200 sq ft without a permit may result in a stop-work order, required permit application, and potential fines. The county may deny future permits on the parcel until violations are resolved.
Tempe, AZ
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how Tempe's shed & outbuilding permits rules stack up against other locations.
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