Do you need a permit for a shed in Austin?
It depends on the project. Austin 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
Austin's rule“A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.”1
City of Austin, Austin Development Services, Building - Residential
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Shed not meeting exemption: New Construction or Addition application | New construction of, or addition to, a single-family home, duplex, shed, or additional dwelling unit…2 |
Limits and conditions in Austin'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 | A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.1 |
| Exempt up to this height | 15 feet | A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.1 |
| Ordinance wording | 200 square feet | A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 mi)…3 |
Who can apply
- Registered general contractor (homeowner may register as GC)4
Shed permit fees in Austin
Fee lines as Austin'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Plan review | $112.765 |
| Residential WUI Non-Combustible Accessory Structure Review (Austin Fire fee) | Plan review | $63.005 |
All of Austin's fee lines are on the Austin permit page.
Review time
10 business days2. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Flood hazard area: no exemption1
Who to ask
Austin Development Services6
Building permits
- Website
- austintexas.gov6
- Apply online
- abc.austintexas.gov7
- Phone
- (512) 978-40008
- Address
- Permitting and Development Center (PDC), 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 787529
- Hours
- Building hours Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; standard staff service hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.9
- Inspections
- Online via AB+C Portal or by phone (IVR 512-974-9405)10
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Austin 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
- Philadelphia, PA
Sources
- Work Exempt From Building Permits | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Plan Review | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Ordinance No. 20250410-040 (2024 International Residential Code and local amendments, City Code Ch. 25-12 Art. 11)City of Austin, City CouncilEffective July 10, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Activating a Permit | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- City of Austin Fee Schedule | Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit FeesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Contact Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Express Permits | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner Permitting Resources | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Visit The PDC | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Schedule a Building Inspection | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026