Do you need a permit for a shed in Dallas?
It depends on the project. Dallas 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
Dallas's rule“Erection of one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, that are located on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises and that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in floor area.”1
City of Dallas, Planning & Development Department, Sec. 301.2.1 item 2
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Shed over 200 sq ft floor area (or not one-story/detached) | Erection of one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, that are located on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises and that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in floor area.1 |
Limits and conditions in Dallas'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 | Erection of one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, that are located on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises and that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in floor area.1 |
Who can apply
- Homeowner may act as contractor for portable accessory building2
- Homeowner permit does not cover a permanent detached accessory building2
Inspections
- Footing and foundation1 DallasNow online, or IVR 214.670.53133
- Final (building)1 DallasNow online, or IVR 214.670.53133
Special areas and extra reviews
- Exemption does not cover work needing a conservation district work authorization or historic certificate of appropriateness1
Who to ask
City of Dallas Planning & Development Department (Permitting & Inspections)7
Building permits
- Website
- dallascityhall.com4
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com5
- Phone
- (214) 948-44806
- Address
- Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, Texas 752036
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm6
- Inspections
- Online via DallasNow, or IVR phone 214.670.53133
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Dallas 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
- 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
- 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
- Homeowner's Exemption from Registration as a ContractorCity of Dallas, Building Inspection Division (now Planning & Development)Revised January 1, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- DallasNowCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions - Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning & Development - Permits and InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026