Shed Permit Requirements by City (2026)
When that backyard shed needs a building permit
Where does your city rank?
The prefab shed sitting in the hardware store parking lot looks simple enough. But depending on where you live, putting it in your backyard might require a building permit, a site plan, a setback survey, and an inspection. The threshold varies by city: some exempt sheds under 120 square feet, others require permits for any detached structure regardless of size. This ranking shows which cities have the strictest shed permitting requirements based on their actual building codes.
Top 25: Most Regulated
Rankings are based on each city's building code for accessory structures, including the size threshold for permit exemption, setback requirements, permit fees, and inspection requirements.
- 1
Coral Gables requires building permits and Board of Architects approval for all sheds and storage structures. Sheds must be architecturally compatible with the principal residence, meet HVHZ wind load standards, and comply with zoning setback requirements enforced by Development Services.
- 2Mililani Town, HIHeavy Restrictions
Sheds in Mililani Town must meet both city setback rules under ROH Sec. 21-4.30 and HOA architectural standards that typically require color, size, and placement approval.
- 3Mililani Mauka, HIHeavy Restrictions
Sheds in Mililani Mauka must satisfy both ROH Sec. 21-4.30 yard setbacks and Mililani Mauka Community Association design rules, which commonly govern size, color, and location.
- 4
Sheds are accessory structures regulated under Chapter 590 (Zoning) Article VI (Development Standards) of the Village of Rothschild Code. The Code caps an accessory building's footprint at 80% of the primary dwelling's footprint and prohibits any accessory structure from exceeding the height of the principal building. Pole or post-frame style accessory structures are prohibited, and metal accessory buildings are limited to commercial and industrial districts. Accessory structures with an exterior door or opening greater than 6 feet wide must be served by a drive connected to a public right-of-way. Sheds, parking structures, outdoor storage and fences must observe a 75-foot setback from the ordinary high-water mark of any lake, stream, pond, or wetland under Rothschild's shoreland-wetland and shoreland setback rules. A zoning permit is required before construction or ground-breaking. Adopted under Wis. Stat. § 61.35.
- 5
Sheds and accessory structures in Hoboken are tightly regulated under Chapter 196 (Zoning). Rear deck structures are governed by specific provisions. Given Hoboken's near-zero available lot space, large sheds are rarely feasible. Permits required; sheds must comply with setbacks.
- 6
Sheds in Union City require zoning and building permits under Chapter 223 (LDO) and Chapter 426. Given Union City's extremely small lot sizes, sheds are rarely feasible. Sheds must comply with setback requirements and may not be placed in front yards.
- 7
All sheds and accessory structures in Bloomfield require ZBA approval regardless of size or location, plus a building permit. Setback requirements apply per zoning code.
- 8
Salt Lake County requires building permits for accessory structures in unincorporated areas. Title 15 (Building Code) and Title 19 (Zoning) govern shed placement, setbacks, and size. Structures must comply with zone-specific setback requirements and cannot be placed in required front yards.
- 9
Sheds up to 144 square feet in Buffalo may be installed without a building permit but still must meet setback and rear-yard coverage rules. Larger sheds require a building permit from Permit and Inspection Services.
- 10Herndon, VASome Restrictions
In Herndon, sheds 256 square feet or smaller and one story do not require a building permit under the Virginia USBC, but still must comply with zoning setbacks. Sheds over 256 sq ft require a building permit. All sheds must respect property lines, typically with minimum setbacks of 5 feet from side and rear lot lines, and comply with lot coverage limits and HOA rules.
- 11
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Sioux City are regulated through two layers: (1) the Sioux City Zoning Ordinance at Title 25, which sets dimensional standards by district (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, location relative to the principal dwelling); and (2) the Iowa State Building Code under Iowa Code Chapter 103A and the locally adopted International Residential Code, which under IRC R105.2 typically exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. Sioux City property owners generally still need a zoning permit from Inspection Services even when no building permit is required. The Code is on Municode at https://library.municode.com/ia/sioux_city.
- 12Vienna, VASome Restrictions
Greenhouses and garden structures in Vienna are treated as accessory structures. Small non-commercial greenhouses under 256 square feet are exempt from building permits under the Virginia USBC but must meet zoning setbacks, height, and lot coverage limits. Heated or permanently foundationed greenhouses larger than 256 square feet require full building permits.
- 13
Storage sheds in Takoma Park require a Montgomery County building permit if they exceed 200 square feet in floor area. Sheds 200 square feet or smaller are generally exempt from permits but must still meet setback requirements. All sheds must be placed behind the front building line and maintain required setbacks from property lines. HOA or deed restrictions may impose additional limitations.
- 14Haltom City, TXSome Restrictions
Haltom City permits storage sheds with 3 foot side and rear setbacks. Sheds over 200 square feet typically need a building permit. All sheds must respect accessory coverage limits and HOA rules.
- 15Keller, TXSome Restrictions
Keller allows sheds subject to size, height, setback, and design standards. Sheds above 120 square feet typically require a permit. Front yard placement is prohibited, and HOA covenants require matching materials.
- 16
Baytown requires building permits for accessory structures including storage sheds. Small sheds under 120 square feet may be exempt from a building permit but must still comply with zoning setback requirements. Sheds must be located in the rear yard only and meet side and rear property line setback distances. Metal, wood, and vinyl sheds are generally permitted in residential zones.
- 17
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Colonie are regulated through two layers: (1) Chapter 190 (Zoning) of the Colonie Town Code, which sets dimensional standards by district (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, and location relative to the principal dwelling); and (2) the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code at 19 NYCRR Part 1219 (adopting the 2020 IRC), which under IRC R105.2 typically exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 144 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. Colonie property owners generally still need a zoning permit from the Building Department even when no building permit is required.
- 18Euless, TXSome Restrictions
Storage sheds in Euless up to 200 square feet and one story are allowed without a building permit on single-family lots, subject to setback and height limits. Larger or plumbed sheds need a permit.
- 19Virginia Beach, VASome Restrictions
Sheds 256 square feet or smaller in Virginia Beach do not require a building permit but must meet zoning setbacks and HOA architectural rules. Anything larger requires a permit and engineered anchoring for coastal wind loads. Sheds cannot be used as dwellings and must match rear/side yard placement rules.
- 20
NYS Uniform Code exempts sheds under 144 square feet from building permit, but most Dutchess towns still require a zoning permit for placement. Setbacks typically 5-10 feet from side and rear lot lines in Hyde Park, Wappinger, East Fishkill. Height caps 12-15 feet. Poughkeepsie city lots have tighter 5-foot setbacks; Hudson waterfront and wetland overlays add review.
- 21
Sheds in Kennewick are regulated through two layers: (1) Kennewick Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) setting accessory-structure dimensional standards by district — typically rear-yard location, district-specific setbacks, and a maximum height around 15 feet; and (2) the Washington State Building Code at WAC 51-51, adopting the 2021 International Residential Code, which under IRC R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. A zoning permit from the Kennewick Planning Division is generally still required even when a building permit is not.
- 22
Doral requires building permits for sheds and accessory structures that exceed exempt thresholds. All structures must meet HVHZ wind load standards and comply with zoning setbacks. Pre-manufactured sheds need a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance.
- 23
Sheds under 144 sq ft are typically exempt from NY Uniform Code permit requirements, though setbacks still apply. Sheds over 144 sq ft require a building permit from the town or city.
- 24
North Miami requires building permits for sheds and accessory storage structures under its Land Development Regulations and Miami-Dade County requirements. All structures must meet HVHZ wind load standards and comply with zoning setbacks for the applicable residential district.
- 25
Newport Beach regulates sheds and accessory structures under NBMC Title 20 zoning and Title 15 building codes. Small sheds under 120 square feet may be exempt from building permits but must still meet zoning setbacks.
State-by-State Breakdown
How each state leans overall, based on the cities and counties we have data for in that state.
| State | Total | Strict | Moderate | Permissive | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 139 | - | 63 | 76 | Few Restrictions |
| Texas | 78 | - | 54 | 24 | Some Restrictions |
| Florida | 63 | 1 | 56 | 6 | Some Restrictions |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3 | 32 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| New York | 32 | - | 32 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Wisconsin | 30 | 1 | 26 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| Massachusetts | 28 | - | 22 | 6 | Some Restrictions |
| Illinois | 26 | - | 24 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Mississippi | 22 | - | - | 22 | Few Restrictions |
| Georgia | 22 | - | 18 | 4 | Some Restrictions |
| Washington | 19 | - | 9 | 10 | Few Restrictions |
| Colorado | 19 | - | 11 | 8 | Some Restrictions |
| Arizona | 18 | - | 13 | 5 | Some Restrictions |
| Ohio | 17 | - | 13 | 4 | Some Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | - | 15 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| North Carolina | 14 | - | 11 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| Utah | 13 | - | 6 | 7 | Few Restrictions |
| Virginia | 12 | - | 9 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| Michigan | 12 | - | 10 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Hawaii | 12 | 2 | 7 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| Oklahoma | 11 | - | 10 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Oregon | 11 | - | 4 | 7 | Few Restrictions |
| Maryland | 9 | - | 9 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Alabama | 8 | - | 7 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Tennessee | 7 | - | 3 | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Missouri | 7 | - | 4 | 3 | Some Restrictions |
| Nevada | 6 | - | 2 | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Connecticut | 6 | - | 2 | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Minnesota | 5 | - | 2 | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| South Carolina | 5 | - | 5 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Kansas | 5 | - | 3 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Rhode Island | 5 | - | 5 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Iowa | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Louisiana | 4 | - | 1 | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| Indiana | 4 | - | 2 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| New Mexico | 4 | - | 1 | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| Arkansas | 3 | - | 3 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Kentucky | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| North Dakota | 3 | - | 3 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Nebraska | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Delaware | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| District of Columbia | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Alaska | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| Idaho | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| New Hampshire | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| Vermont | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| South Dakota | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
Complete List
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in Coral Gables?
Can I put a shed in my front yard in Coral Gables?
What materials can I use for a shed in Coral Gables?
Do I need HOA approval for a shed in Mililani Town?
What if my shed is already built without approval?
Does the HOA approve metal sheds?
Can a small shed skip the permit?
How big can my shed be in Rothschild, WI?
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