Do you need a permit for a shed in New York City?
It depends on the project. New York City exempts some sheds from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 120 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below. Work that needs no building permit can still need zoning approval.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
New York City's rule“The shed shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall not be more than 7’6” in height…”1
City of New York, Department of Buildings, Table 1 item 1 (Permit required? NO)
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Shed not meeting all Table 1 item 1 conditions | Temporary portable freestanding sheds erected on the same zoning lot as, and accessory to, a one- or two-family dwelling…1 |
Limits and conditions in New York City's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this area | 120 square feet | The shed shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall not be more than 7’6” in height…1 |
| Exempt up to this height | 7.5 feet | The shed shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall not be more than 7’6” in height…1 |
| Minimum distance from lot line | 3 feet | The shed shall not be located within 3 feet (915 mm) of any lot line…1 |
| Number allowed | 1 | (5) There shall not be more than one such shed on any tax lot.1 |
| Use limits | Storage of normal household goods, tools, or similar items | The shed shall be used for storage of normal household goods, tools, or similar items…1 |
| Window rule | Must not obstruct any required window | The shed shall not obstruct any required window…1 |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning approval needed even without a building permit? | Yes | Any exemptions outlined by this rule will not grant authorization for any…1 |
Special areas and extra reviews
- Landmarks Preservation Commission filing may still be required1
Who to ask
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare New York City with 18 other cities on the national shed permit guide, or go straight to one:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- 1 RCNY §101-14 Categories of work that may or may not require a permitCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my project require a permit? - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Obtaining a Permit - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact Us - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Office Locations - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Use DOB NOW - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Permits by Type - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026