Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $100–$250 Zoning review and building permit for all accessory structures.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Department of Safety and Permits →

What's Required in New Orleans

  • Building permit required for all sheds regardless of size.
  • Must be located in the rear yard behind the house.
  • Maximum height usually limited to 14 feet.
  • Must be anchored to prevent flotation or movement during floods.
  • Electrical permits are required separately if wiring is added.
  • Cannot be used for living quarters or business use.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in New Orleans

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in New Orleans usually comes down to size. Most cities exempt small accessory structures — commonly those under about 120 to 200 square feet — and require a permit for anything larger; New Orleans’s exact cutoff is set by the Department of Safety and Permits, so check the size threshold in the requirements above before you build. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) sits right at that common dividing line, so it’s worth confirming. 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 New Orleans

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in New Orleans, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay under the Department of Safety and Permits’s size threshold, 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 Safety and Permits before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in New Orleans

1

Step 1: Plot Plan

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

2

Step 2: Submit Online

Apply for an Accessory Structure permit in the One Stop App.

3

Step 3: Zoning Check

Staff verify placement relative to neighbors (usually 3ft).

4

Step 4: Pay Fees

Pay the permit fee based on the shed's square footage.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Final inspection required once the shed is placed/built.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, New Orleans requires a permit for all accessory structures.
Generally no; sheds must be in the rear yard.
Sheds must be anchored to stay in place during a flood.
It depends on New Orleans’s threshold — many cities exempt sheds under roughly 120 to 200 square feet, but the exact cutoff is set by the Department of Safety and Permits (see the requirements above). 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 under New Orleans’s size threshold 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 Safety and Permits; zoning setbacks apply either way.