Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $0–$100 Small sheds are exempt; larger structures require a flat-rate accessory structure permit.
Fee Method Flat fee
Apply Online Apply at Department of Buildings →

What's Required in Washington

  • Permit required if the shed exceeds 50 square feet.
  • Maximum height usually limited to 10 feet for accessory structures.
  • Shed cannot be located in the front yard.
  • Must maintain a minimum setback (usually 3ft) from side and rear property lines.
  • Cannot be used for habitation or commercial activity.
  • Anchoring system required to prevent wind uplift.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Washington

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Washington usually comes down to size. In Washington, the cutoff is 50 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) is over the limit and does need 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 Washington

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Washington, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 50-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 Department of Buildings before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Washington

1

Step 1: Check Size

Confirm if your shed is under 50 sq ft; if so, no building permit is needed.

2

Step 2: Zoning Check

Verify setbacks in your specific zone even if no building permit is required.

3

Step 3: Application

Apply via the Accessory Structure category in the DOB portal.

4

Step 4: Review

DOB reviews for size, placement, and safety.

5

Step 5: Placement

Install shed and ensure it is properly anchored to a stable base.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, residential sheds 50 sq ft or less are exempt from building permits in DC.
Yes, but this requires a separate electrical permit regardless of the shed's size.
No, accessory structures must be located in the rear or side yards in DC.
In Washington, you can build a shed up to 50 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 Washington’s 50 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 Department of Buildings; zoning setbacks apply either way.