Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $0–$300 Exempt if 120 sq ft or less and no utilities. Larger sheds require building permits based on valuation.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of San Diego Development Services Department →

What's Required in San Diego

  • No building permit required if the shed is 120 square feet or less and one story
  • Permit ALWAYS required if adding plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment
  • Shed must be detached and used for storage, tools, or as a playhouse
  • Must comply with local zoning setbacks even if exempt from a building permit
  • Sheds over 12 feet in height (County) or specific city zoning heights require permits
  • Site plan required for permitted sheds to show distances from property lines

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in San Diego

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in San Diego usually comes down to size. In San Diego, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds of 120 square feet or less don’t need a building permit, while anything larger 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 San Diego

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in San Diego, “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 City of San Diego Development Services Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in San Diego

1

Step 1: Verify Size

Measure the floor area to see if it meets the 120 sq ft exemption.

2

Step 2: Check Setbacks

Consult with San Diego Planning to ensure the location meets rear/side yard setback rules.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

Apply via OpenDSD for a building permit if the shed is >120 sq ft or has utilities.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay valuation-based building fees if a permit is required (approx $150–$300 for basic units).

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection for all permitted sheds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if the shed is over 120 sq ft or if you are adding electrical or plumbing.
If required, fees start around $150–$300 depending on valuation and trade permits.
In the rear or side yard, usually 3+ feet from property lines, depending on your specific zone.
In San Diego, sheds of 120 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 San Diego’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 City of San Diego Development Services Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.