Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $125–$300 Exempt if 200 sq ft or less and detached; larger sheds require a building permit.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department →

What's Required in Phoenix

  • No permit required for detached storage sheds 200 square feet or less.
  • Shed must not exceed 8 feet in height if located within 10 feet of a side or rear property line.
  • Must be located in the rear yard and maintain 3-foot minimum setbacks from the primary house.
  • Any shed with electrical wiring, plumbing, or gas requires a permit regardless of size.
  • If over 200 sq ft, the structure must be anchored to a foundation per IBC/IRC standards.
  • A maximum of two detached accessory structures are allowed per single-family lot.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Phoenix

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Phoenix usually comes down to size. In Phoenix, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds of 200 square feet or less don’t need a building permit, while anything larger does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) comes in under the limit, so it typically doesn’t need a building permit. Larger sheds, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or a permanent foundation, almost always need a permit regardless of footprint.

Building a Shed Without a Permit in Phoenix

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Phoenix, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 200-square-foot limit, sit on a non-permanent base (sheds on skids or a gravel pad are treated more leniently than those on a poured foundation), and have no electrical or plumbing run to it. Crucially, zoning setbacks still apply — your shed usually has to sit a minimum distance from property lines and other structures, and that holds even for a permit-free shed. Confirm both the size exemption and the setback distance with the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Phoenix

1

Step 1: Size Verification

Measure the footprint to see if the 200 sq ft exemption applies.

2

Step 2: Check Zoning Overlays

Verify if your lot is in a Historic District which removes the exemption.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

Apply online for an 'Accessory Structure' permit if over size limits.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the valuation-based permit and plan check fees ($125 minimum).

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection once the shed is anchored.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a 120 sq ft shed is under the 200 sq ft exemption threshold.
Typically 8 feet if near property lines, or up to 15 feet if centered in the yard.
No, Phoenix zoning generally restricts sheds and accessory buildings to the rear yard.
In Phoenix, sheds of 200 square feet or less can be built without a building permit; anything larger needs one. The exemption usually also requires no permanent foundation and no electrical or plumbing, and zoning setbacks from property lines still apply even without a permit.
Often not, if it’s also within Phoenix’s 200 sq ft limit and has no utilities — many jurisdictions treat a shed on skids or a gravel pad as movable rather than a permanent building. A poured foundation or any electrical/plumbing typically triggers a permit. Confirm with the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.