Do you need a permit for a shed in Charlotte?
It depends on the project. Charlotte exempts some sheds from a building permit and requires one for the rest1. Work that needs no building permit can still need zoning approval.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Charlotte's rule“Detached Accessory Structure (>12ft in any dimension)…”1
City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development), Examples of LDIRL Projects
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning permit or review | Permanent accessory structures that do not need a building permit need a zoning use permit | D. A zoning use permit is required for all permanent accessory structures, except for those permanent structures that require a building permit.2 |
| Zoning permit or review | City Zoning Use Permit (Tier 1) for an accessory structure 12 ft or smaller in every dimension (larger detached accessory structures go to City LDIRL review) | Zoning Use Permit Tier 1: Accessory Structure (12 feet dimensions or smaller)…3 |
| Building permit | Storage shed listed among projects that typically need a County building permit | Storage shed.4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Side and rear setback | 3 feet | Accessory structures in an established side or rear setback shall be located a minimum of three feet from a lot line except as follows…2 |
| Lot coverage | Cumulative accessory structure area may not exceed the heated first-floor area of the house | F. For lots in residential use, the cumulative square footage of all accessory structures, excluding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), on a lot shall not exceed the total square footage of the heated area located on the first floor of the principal structure.2 |
| Zoning approval needed even without a building permit? | Yes, with conditions | D. A zoning use permit is required for all permanent accessory structures, except for those permanent structures that require a building permit.2 |
Shed permit fees in Charlotte
Fee lines as Charlotte's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| City of Charlotte - Zoning Use Permit Tier 1: Accessory Structure (12 feet dimensions or smaller) | Flat fee | $2053 |
| City of Charlotte - Stormwater Services Review: Additions, Deck, Pool, Retaining Wall, Shed, Detached Structure | Plan review | $555 |
| City of Charlotte - Residential Single-Family Reviews - Individual Residential Lot Review (zoning) | Plan review | $1553 |
All of Charlotte's fee lines are on the Charlotte permit page.
Review time
City LDIRL review: 3 business days gateway + 7 business days review (7 business days for subsequent reviews)1. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.
North Carolina law that applies
Who to ask
Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) Code Enforcement7
Building permits
- Website
- code.mecknc.gov6
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com6
- Address
- 2145 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, NC 282086
- Inspections
- Online via Mecklenburg County Accela Citizen Access (Permit & Inspections > Schedule an Inspection) or WebPermit sign-in6
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Charlotte with 18 other cities on the national shed permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Individual Residential Lot Reviews - City of CharlotteCity of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Checked November 7, 2026
- Charlotte UDO Article 17. Accessory StructuresCity of Charlotte, Planning, Design & Development (Unified Development Ordinance, charlotteudo.org)Checked November 7, 2026
- FY27 Residential Zoning Fees (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Charlotte Residential Permit Guidelines (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Checked November 7, 2026
- FY 2027 Individual Residential Lot Fee Schedule (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- WebPermit (B) - HomeMecklenburg County, Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) Code EnforcementChecked November 7, 2026
- CLT Development Center - City of CharlotteCity of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Checked November 6, 2026