Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $0–$250 Sheds under 120 sq ft are exempt from building permits.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Community Development Department →

What's Required in Sacramento

  • Permit required if the shed exceeds 120 square feet.
  • Maximum height is generally 15 feet for accessory structures.
  • Cannot be located in the front yard setback.
  • Must maintain a 5ft setback from side and rear lines if over 120 sq ft.
  • Electrical wiring in a shed requires a separate permit.
  • Plumbing installation is prohibited in standard sheds.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Sacramento

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Sacramento usually comes down to size. In Sacramento, the cutoff is 120 square feet: a simple one-story shed at or under that size generally doesn’t need a building permit, while anything that exceeds it does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) lands exactly on the limit — at that size it’s still exempt, but going any bigger triggers a 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 Sacramento

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Sacramento, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 120-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 Community Development Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Sacramento

1

Step 1: Confirm Size

Check if your shed is under the 120 sq ft exemption limit.

2

Step 2: Site Plan

Draft a site plan showing the shed's location and setbacks.

3

Step 3: Submit Portal

Apply for an Accessory Structure permit online.

4

Step 4: Zoning Check

City verifies placement relative to property lines.

5

Step 5: Final Inspection

Only required for permitted structures over 120 sq ft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not for sheds under 120 sq ft, but they must be anchored.
No, that would reclassify the structure as an ADU with stricter rules.
No, most sheds require at least a 3-5 foot setback.
In Sacramento, you can build a shed up to 120 square feet without a building permit; anything over that 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 Sacramento’s 120 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 Community Development Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.