Planning Laws for Sheds

Size

• Shed size is the first area of concern in any planning code. Many codes exempt sheds up to a certain square footage, often from 60 to 120 square feet, from some zoning restrictions. If the proposed shed exceeds the exemption size it must comply with all code requirements including any prohibitions on construction in rear and side yards.

Height

• Another common zoning regulation pertaining to sheds is height. Some codes may limit sheds to "one story." Others may limit the roofline to a stated height above grade. Heights are also sometimes measured at the highest point of the building; others rule on the midpoint of a sloped roof. This becomes important when planning for a gable or other multi-sided roof design.

Placement

• Even when the shed is within the exempted size limitation, it might be prohibited from certain placements in the yard, especially on or near property lines or in locations visible from the street or other public viewing areas.

Use

• Some zoning codes limit the use of backyard sheds to storage only. Others may allow any nonliving use, including as a work space or as a treehouse. Still others may allow habitable space with electricity and plumbing, such as for an artist's studio, so long as the space cannot be used as a separate residential unit. The use limitations may affect what amenities the code allows in the shed.

Aesthetics

• Design guidelines are a type of zoning or planning regulation that address more subjective and interpretive regulations having to do with architectural style, materials, patterns and character. If every property on your block has a gable-roofed shed with board and batten siding, a corrugated metal prefabricated shed from Home Depot may not pass design review. If neighboring houses feature shed placement in the back corner of the property and you want yours right in the middle of your yard, expect some push back from the planner reviewing your proposal. As a general rule, design guidelines call for respecting, if not mirroring, features and characteristics prevalent in the neighborhood.

Safety

• Although not a requirement of planning or zoning laws, some municipalities -- through building codes or other local laws -- may require a pre-made shed to be anchored to the ground or a foundation. And whether it is required or not, it is a smart idea. In some parts of the country high winds are a normal part of the weather cycle.