Do you need a permit for a shed in Philadelphia?
It depends on the project. Philadelphia exempts some sheds from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 200 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Philadelphia's rule“Detached structures, like sheds, for one-or-two-family dwellings, 200 sq. ft. or less…”1
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections, Projects that may not need permits > Accessory structures and features
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Detached accessory structure over 200 sq ft | Detached structures, like sheds, for one-or-two-family dwellings, 200 sq. ft. or less…1 |
| Zoning permit or review | Shed over 130 sq ft or not in rear yard | Sheds, playhouses, pergolas, and similar structures (in the rear yard and 130 sq. ft. or less) for one-or-two-family dwellings.2 |
Limits and conditions in Philadelphia'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 | 200 square feet | Detached structures, like sheds, for one-or-two-family dwellings, 200 sq. ft. or less…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 exemption up to this area | 130 square feet | Sheds, playhouses, pergolas, and similar structures (in the rear yard and 130 sq. ft. or less) for one-or-two-family dwellings.2 |
Shed permit fees in Philadelphia
Fee lines as Philadelphia'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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Accessory Structures or Additions (Residential 1 or 2 family) | Per square foot | New Accessory Structures or Additions $75 for the first 500 sq. ft.; plus $56 for each additional 100 sq. ft. or fraction thereof above 5003 |
All of Philadelphia's fee lines are on the Philadelphia permit page.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Historic Registry exception1
Who to ask
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)4
Building permits
- Apply online
- eclipse.phila.gov4
- Phone
- 311; (215) 686-8686 outside Philadelphia1
- Address
- 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 191024
- Hours
- Permit and License Center (MSB, Public Service Concourse): 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; by appointment1
- Inspections
- ECLIPSE or IVR (215) 255-40401
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Philadelphia 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
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Get a Zoning PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 5, 2026
- PG_012_INF Construction Permit Fees (Rev 7.2026), Effective October 1, 2026City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsRevised July 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Department of Licenses and Inspections | HomepageCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026