Shed Permits by State

Most jurisdictions follow the standard IRC 120 sq ft threshold. Local variation is common across municipalities.

No statewide code creates significant variation. Anchorage exempts up to 200 sq ft; Palmer requires permits over 320 sq ft.

Generally permit-friendly for small sheds. Scottsdale, Tempe, and Queen Creek use the 200 sq ft threshold.

Notable for having a statewide code that applies even in rural, unincorporated areas.

Strict statewide code. Any electrical or plumbing triggers a permit at ANY size regardless of square footage.

Local jurisdictions adopt codes independently. Mountain counties often have stricter requirements.

Unified statewide building code with the standard 200 sq ft exemption under CSBC Section 105.2.

Thresholds vary between 120 and 240 sq ft by county. Dover allows up to 240 sq ft if eave height is 10 ft or less.

High-wind state. Almost all jurisdictions require at least a zoning permit for sheds of any size to verify wind load tie-downs and setbacks.

Follows state minimum codes via the DCA. Sheds over 120 sq ft or more than one story require a permit.

Thresholds depend heavily on zoning. Agricultural land in Hawaii County may exempt up to 600 sq ft; residential land typically 120 sq ft.

Standard 200 sq ft exemption for one-story, non-habitable detached accessory structures.

Thresholds vary drastically by municipality. Northbrook exempts prefab sheds up to 80 sq ft; others use the standard 200 sq ft.

Most common threshold is 200 sq ft, though some cities like Columbus lower it to 120 sq ft or require permits for permanent foundations.

Varies by city: Coralville uses 200 sq ft exemption, Waterloo lowers to 120 sq ft.

Standard IRC exemption of 200 sq ft is widely used across the state with local enforcement.

Residential accessory buildings under 200 sq ft are generally exempt. Commercial threshold drops to 120 sq ft.

State defines accessory structures as up to 500 sq ft. Most parishes use 200 sq ft permit threshold; New Orleans requires permits for any improvement.

Most municipalities require permits for sheds over 200 sq ft. LUPC governs rural unorganized territories.

County-based system. Most counties exempt sheds under 200 sq ft, but Baltimore County lowers the threshold to 120 sq ft.

Strict state code. Permits not required for one-story detached accessory structures up to 120 sq ft under 780 CMR 105.2.

State law requires a building permit for accessory structures 200 sq ft or larger.

Standard statewide exemption applies to one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft.

Coastal counties must adopt the state building code for hurricane mitigation. Inland adoption varies.

Relies entirely on local adoption of the IBC/IRC. Most municipalities use a 120 sq ft threshold.

Key exemption: private garages and storage buildings for the owner's personal use are exempt from STATE building permits. Local counties typically require permits over 200 sq ft.

Sheds under 120 sq ft are generally allowed without a building permit under locally adopted codes.

Clark County and Douglas County require building permits for sheds exceeding 200 sq ft.

Municipalities generally set the exemption limit at 200 sq ft for residential projects.

Among the strictest in the nation. Sheds must meet ALL conditions: under 200 sq ft, under 10 ft mean height, no utilities, and residential use. Any utility triggers a full UCC permit.

Standard IRC exemption of 200 sq ft is utilized statewide.

Thresholds vary heavily by town. Yonkers requires permits for sheds larger than 8x10 ft (80 sq ft). Many upstate towns require permits for all storage sheds.

Unique dimensional rule: sheds with no single dimension greater than 12 feet (e.g., 12x12 = 144 sq ft max) do not require a building permit.

Standard 200 sq ft exemption is used across local jurisdictions.

Under the 2024 OBC Rules, permits are not required for one-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 sq ft.

In most cases, if a shed is one story and under 200 sq ft, no building permit is needed.

Exemption applies if EITHER under 200 sq ft in area OR under 15 ft in height. Fabric-covered carports up to 500 sq ft are also exempt.

State UCC exempts sheds, carports, garages, and greenhouses under 1,000 sq ft for detached one-family dwellings. However, municipalities can opt-in to stricter rules.

Notably low thresholds compared to other states. Middletown requires a permit for sheds over 64 sq ft. Most other towns use 100–200 sq ft.

Standard exemption under SC Residential Code Section R105.2 applies to one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft.

Most jurisdictions require a permit for sheds over 120 sq ft. Crooks allows up to 200 sq ft without a permit.

At the state level, building permits are NOT required for detached garages, sheds, barns, or structures not used for living purposes. Local jurisdictions enforce their own rules, typically 200 sq ft.

Entirely locally governed. Most major cities (Austin, Mansfield, Dickinson) require permits for sheds over 200 sq ft or two stories.

Saratoga Springs and Riverton require permits over 200 sq ft. Salt Lake City lowers the threshold to 120 sq ft.

Zoning permits for sheds over 100 sq ft. Building permits are only required for much larger structures.

Among the most generous standard state-level exemptions in the country at 256 sq ft, codified at the state level under 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2.

Permit not required for one-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds under 200 sq ft (WAC 51-16-080).

Standard IRC exemption of 200 sq ft is widely used across local jurisdictions.

Under the Uniform Dwelling Code, sheds up to 150 sq ft generally do not require a building permit.

Most cities and counties (like Teton County) exempt non-habitable accessory structures up to 200 sq ft. Evanston lowers the threshold to 120 sq ft.