Permit Required? Required (over 120 sq ft)
Typical Fee Range $210–$350 Exempt if under 120 sq ft; auxiliary building fee ($210) plus application ($200).
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Tampa Construction Services Division →

What's Required in Tampa

  • No permit required for detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less
  • Permit ALWAYS required if adding utilities or for masonry construction
  • Shed must be non-habitable and one-story to qualify for 120 sq ft exemption
  • Must maintain specific setbacks from property lines (maintain survey compliance)
  • High-velocity wind load requirements (140+ mph) apply to all sheds
  • Site plan showing distances to property lines required for any permitted shed

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Tampa

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Tampa usually comes down to size. In Tampa, 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 Tampa

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Tampa, “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 Tampa Construction Services Division before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Tampa

1

Step 1: Size Check

Verify if your shed footprint is under the 120 sq ft exemption threshold.

2

Step 2: Accela Submission

If over 120 sq ft, apply for an 'Auxiliary Building' permit online.

3

Step 3: Upload Site Plan

Provide a property survey showing the intended location and setbacks.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the $210 inspection fee plus the $200 application fee online.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection for all permitted sheds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if larger than 120 sq ft or including utilities.
Base inspection fees for auxiliary buildings start at $210 plus application.
Generally must maintain setbacks indicated on your property survey; check your specific zone.
In Tampa, 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 Tampa’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 Tampa Construction Services Division; zoning setbacks apply either way.