Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $175–$300 Exempt if under 120 sq ft and one story; larger sheds require a building permit.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings →

What's Required in Atlanta

  • No building permit required if the shed is 120 square feet or less and one story
  • Maximum height for exempt sheds is 20 feet
  • Shed must maintain rear and side yard setbacks (typically 5–10 feet)
  • Any electrical or plumbing installations ALWAYS require trade permits regardless of size
  • Site plan showing property lines is required for any permitted structure
  • Historic district properties may require planning approval even for exempt sheds

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Atlanta

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

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Atlanta, “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 Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Atlanta

1

Step 1: Size Check

Determine if your shed exceeds 120 sq ft or one story in height.

2

Step 2: Check Setbacks

Ensure the shed location meets rear/side yard rules and keeps away from property lines.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

If over 120 sq ft, apply for an 'Accessory Structure' permit via Accela.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the minimum valuation-based fee ($175 total) online.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection for all permitted sheds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if it is larger than 120 sq ft, taller than one story, or includes utilities.
If required, fees start at a minimum of $175.
Typically 5 to 10 feet from rear and side lines, avoiding easements.
In Atlanta, 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 Atlanta’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 Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings; zoning setbacks apply either way.