Not a government site. Always confirm with your local building department before you build. About us

Building Permit Requirements
Menu

Do you need a permit for a shed?

Whether a shed needs a building permit is decided by the city or county, not by one national rule. Of the 19 large cities whose shed rule we verified, 2 require a permit and 17 exempt smaller or simpler projects and require a permit above a limit.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Shed permit rules in major cities
  2. Building permit and zoning are separate
  3. What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)
  4. What cities charge for a shed permit
  5. Before you start
  6. Sources

Shed permit rules in major cities

Each row is the rule that applies in that city. "Depends" means the city exempts work below a limit; the limit shown is the number in the city's wording, and the conditions that go with it are on the city page.

CityPermit needed?Key limit
New York City, NYDepends on size or scope1Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet1
Los Angeles, CADepends on size or scope2Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet2
Chicago, ILDepends on size or scope3Exempt up to this area: 150 square feet3
Phoenix, AZDepends on size or scope4Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet4
San Antonio, TXDepends on size or scope5Exempt up to this area: 300 square feet5
San Diego, CADepends on size or scope6Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet6
Dallas, TXDepends on size or scope7Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet7
Jacksonville, FLYes8–
Fort Worth, TXYes9–
San Jose, CADepends on size or scope10Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet11
Charlotte, NCDepends on size or scope12–
Columbus, OHDepends on size or scope13Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet13
Indianapolis, INDepends on size or scope14Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet14
San Francisco, CADepends on size or scope15Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet15
Seattle, WADepends on size or scope16Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet16
Denver, CODepends on size or scope17Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet17
Oklahoma City, OKDepends on size or scope18Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet18
Philadelphia, PADepends on size or scope19Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet19
Austin, TXDepends on size or scope20Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet20

Building permit and zoning are separate

A building permit checks how the shed is built; zoning decides where it can go and how big it can be. In New York City, Phoenix and Charlotte, work that is exempt from a building permit can still need zoning approval:

  • New York City. Any exemptions outlined by this rule will not grant authorization for any…1
  • Phoenix. (Minimum zoning setbacks from property line must be maintained and approved plat/site plan must be approved.)21
  • Charlotte. D. A zoning use permit is required for all permanent accessory structures, except for those permanent structures that require a building permit.22

What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a model code. It is law only where a state or city adopts it, usually with changes, so the wording below shows how the model reads in published government copies, not the rule where you live.

  • Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58m2)…23 As published by Federal Way, WA (2021 IRC wording, with Washington and local amendments).
  • Other than storm shelters, one story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 mm) IRC Residential Code…24 As published by Bluffdale, UT.
  • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2).25 As published by Warner, NH (2015 IRC).
  • 1. Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet (18.58 m2).26 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).
  • One-story detached accessory building (10’-0” minimum separation to other structures) provided the floor area does not exceed 800 square feet and provided that the structure complies with the building setback requirements set forth in Title 17 governing zoning and Title 18 governing critical area protection.27 As published by Grays Harbor County, WA (IRC with county amendments, § 15.04.030).

What cities charge for a shed permit

Fee lines as each city’s schedule states them, never added up into a total; how permit fees work explains valuation formulas and minimums.

CityFeeAs the schedule states it
Los Angeles, CACombined building-mechanical permit (one- or two-family dwelling, accessory buildings, ADUs)As determined by Table 1-A.128
San Antonio, TXResidential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0000-0500 $ 172.5029
San Antonio, TXResidential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000Residential Building Existing Home Fee 0501-1000 $ 488.8029
Jacksonville, FLResidential C&D Debris fee per 100 sfFor residential new buildings, shell buildings, accessory buildings and additions C&D Debris fee - per 100 sf · $8.7530
Fort Worth, TX1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs: 33.0831
Fort Worth, TX3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits: 16.8731
Fort Worth, TXTable 1-C-4 U Use Group, 175 to 2500 sq ft175 to 2500 a)$ 102.00 a) for first 175 square feet b) $ 0.20 b) for each additional square foot, to and including 250031
San Jose, CAResidential Express (expedited review) premium fee1.5 x the plan review fee for a Single-Family Residential Addition/Alteration10
Charlotte, NCTotal Construction Permit Value/Permit Fees (valuation table)$3,001 to $50,000 $59.70 plus $12.19 per $1,000 or part over $3,00032
Charlotte, NCCity of Charlotte - Residential Single-Family Reviews - Individual Residential Lot Review (zoning)$15533
Charlotte, NCCity of Charlotte - Zoning Use Permit Tier 1: Accessory Structure (12 feet dimensions or smaller)$20533
Columbus, OHAlterations/Accessory Structures (1, 2, and 3 Family)Alterations/Accessory Structures (includes 2 inspections) $38534
Columbus, OHZoning Clearance Only (no associated building permit), 1-4 dwelling unitsZoning Clearance Only (no associated building permit): 1-4 dwelling units $10034
Indianapolis, INStructural Permit - Residential: Construction or placement of, or additions to, accessory Class 2 structureApplication $40; Review $150 (≤1,000 sqft) $25 per additional 500 sqft; Issuance $300 (200 - 1000 sqft) $25 per additional 500 sqft35
Indianapolis, INImprovement Location Permit - Residential (ILP): Single-family Accessory Buildings and Additions$32 per application; 10835
Seattle, WABuilding permit (with or without mechanical) – permit fee and plan review feePermit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 100% of DFI36
Seattle, WASTFI (subject-to-field-inspection) permit – permit fee and plan review feePermit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 40% of DFI36
Denver, COBuilding permit fee, valuation $1.00 to $500.00$1.00 to $500.00 $20.00 037
Denver, COBuilding permit fee, valuation $501.00 to $2,000.00$501.00 to $2,000.00 $35.00 037
Denver, COBuilding permit fee, valuation $2,001.00 to $25,000.00$2,001.00 to $25,000.00 $35.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00 50%37
Oklahoma City, OKMinimum permit fee (new construction)Minimum permit fee · $55.00 · $75.00 · 60-12-9 (a)38
Nashville, TNBuilding Permit Fees for Residential Construction (one- and two-family, townhouses)1. Building Permit Fees for Residential Construction based on valuation. Residential construction includes one-family and two-family residential construction and townhouses as defined by the 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code, but not multi-family construction shall be $5.00 per $1,000 total valuation.39
Louisville, KYPartial alterations / structures other than buildings (valuation)The fee shall be $50 plus $2.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost.40
Memphis, TNResidential application fee, alterations, repairs, accessoryAPP. FEE – ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, ACCESSORY $25.0041
Memphis, TNDetached accessory buildings 400 sq ft or lessDETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS 400 SQ. FT. OR LESS $25.0041
Memphis, TNDetached accessory buildings over 400 sq ftDETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OVER 400 SQ. FT. ($0.07/SQ FT) $50.00 MIN41
Baltimore, MDAccessory structures, 100 sq ft or lessEach structure of 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) or less of gross floor area $2542
Baltimore, MDAccessory structures, over 100 sq ftEach structure over 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) of gross floor area $5042
Milwaukee, WIGarages and accessory structures over 150 sq ftc-1. The fee for garages and other structures of more than 150 square feet in area accessory to one- and 2-family dwellings shall be computed at $0.45 per square foot of area.43
Milwaukee, WISheds and accessory structures up to 150 sq ftc-2. The fee for sheds and other structures accessory to one- and 2-family dwellings and not more than 150 square feet in area shall be $175.43
Milwaukee, WIPlan review, shed or deckThe plan review fee for a shed or deck shall be $50.43
Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque Regional Modifier, one- and two-family dwellings (applied to Table 112-A)(.50)44
Raleigh, NCZoning Permit Fee - 1&2 Family Dwellings Existing StructuresA Zoning Permit is required for residential development activity. $253.00 $261.00 Per Review45
Virginia Beach, VANon-heated residential, new and additions$50.00 plus $4.00 per 100 square feet of area or fraction thereof46
Tulsa, OKZoning clearance permit fee, residential (Section 303.G)$75.5047
Arlington, TXResidential: Portable Storage/Accessory Building 320 sq.ft. and underPortable Storage/Accessory Building 320 sq.ft. and under $50.00 each48
Arlington, TXResidential: Permanent Storage/Accessory Building over 320 sq.ft.Permanent Storage/Accessory Building over 320 sq.ft.* Based on Valuation - Table 148
Aurora, COSales and Use Tax deposit (city)--Sales and Use Tax deposit · 3.75% of total construction materials cost49
Philadelphia, PANew Accessory Structures or Additions (Residential 1 or 2 family)New Accessory Structures or Additions $75 for the first 500 sq. ft.; plus $56 for each additional 100 sq. ft. or fraction thereof above 50050
Austin, TXApplication Processing Fee$112.7651
Austin, TXResidential WUI Non-Combustible Accessory Structure Review (Austin Fire fee)$63.0051

Before you start

Find your city’s shed rule with the permit checker. What to check before you buy materials (city limits, limits in the rule, zoning and HOA rules) and the order of the steps are in how to get a building permit; what an exemption does not cover is in work exempt from a permit.

Sources

  1. 1 RCNY §101-14 Categories of work that may or may not require a permitCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  2. SEC. 91.101. TITLE, PURPOSE, AND SCOPE. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Effective December 31, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  3. What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? (Full List)City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. 2024 International Building Code Administrative Provisions (IBC Chapter 1), Phoenix amendmentsCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentEffective August 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Chapter 10 Building-Related Codes (2024 International Building-Related Codes), City Code of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  6. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 2: Building Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Chapter 52: Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes (City of Dallas booklet, current through April 23,…City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentLast updated April 23, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Residential PermitsCity of Jacksonville (consolidated City of Jacksonville/Duval County), Public Works Department, Building Inspection DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Residential PermittingCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Accessory Buildings & StructuresCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Last updated April 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Draft Ordinance amending Title 24 (Technical Codes) of the San José Municipal Code (Council Agenda 10/28/2025, Item…City of San José, City Council (Legistar)Published October 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Individual Residential Lot Reviews - City of CharlotteCity of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Checked November 7, 2026
  13. BZS Frequently Asked QuestionsCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  14. 2016 Building Standards and Procedures of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis (Chapter 536 etc.)City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesEffective January 1, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Frequently Asked Questions: Storage Sheds Exempt from a Building PermitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Sheds - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  17. Residential Sheds - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  18. Amendments, 2018 International Residential Code (City of Oklahoma City and State of Oklahoma)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
  19. Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  20. Work Exempt From Building Permits | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  21. How to Obtain a Residential Building Permit (Residential Single-Family Construction Permit Guide, TRT 00823)City of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentRevised February 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  22. Charlotte UDO Article 17. Accessory StructuresCity of Charlotte, Planning, Design & Development (Unified Development Ordinance, charlotteudo.org)Checked November 7, 2026
  23. International Residential Code (IRC), Section R105.2City of Federal Way, WA, Community DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  24. Exempt from permit 2023City of Bluffdale, UT, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  25. Work Exempt from Permits, 2015 IRCTown of Warner, NHChecked November 7, 2026
  26. 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  27. Development Assistance Bulletin: International Residential Code Work Exempt from PermitsGrays Harbor County, WA, Planning and Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  28. SEC. 91.107. FEES. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 6, 2026
  29. FY 2027 Development Fee ScheduleCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  30. City Fees (Categorized by Departments)City of Jacksonville, City Fees page (Building Inspection Division - Section 320.409)Checked November 7, 2026
  31. Ordinance No. 26-28781City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  32. Mecklenburg County Government Fee Ordinance, Land Use and Environmental Services (revised July 1, 2026)Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners / Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)Revised July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  33. FY27 Residential Zoning Fees (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  34. 2026 Combined Development Related Fee ScheduleCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesPublished 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  35. Fee Schedule (as of January 5, 2026) [XLSX]City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesEffective January 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  36. 2026 Fee Subtitle and related documents (SMC Chapter 22.900)City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  37. Building and Land Development Fees - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  38. Development Services Fee Changes (Fees Changing July 1, 2025)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterEffective July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  39. Codes Fee Schedule (Building-Permit-Fee-Scheudle-2025.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted December 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  40. LMCO Chapter 150.096 Promulgated Fees & Regulations, Construction Permits and Inspection Fees (Revised 2/6/2024)Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Department of Codes and Regulations, Office (Division) of Construction ReviewRevised February 6, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  41. 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  42. Section 109. Fees (Building Code)City of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  43. Milwaukee Code of Ordinances ch. 200, subchapter 5 (Fees)City of Milwaukee, Department of Neighborhood ServicesRevised November 8, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  44. 2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code (Exhibit A)City of Albuquerque, Planning Department, Building Safety DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  45. Development Fee Guide July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  46. Residential Building Permit FeesCity of Virginia Beach, Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections DivisionRevised July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  47. Ordinance amending Title 49, Tulsa Revised Ordinances (council item 24-608, as submitted)City of Tulsa, Tulsa City CouncilPublished May 16, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  48. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  49. Development Fees Checklist - City of AuroraCity of Aurora, Development CenterEffective 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  50. 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
  51. City of Austin Fee Schedule | Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit FeesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026