Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$150 Requires a 'Use of Premises' permit; costs approximately $10 per $1,000 of construction value with a $50 minimum for residential lots.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Inspectional Services Department →

What's Required in Boston

  • Certified plot plan showing the proposed shed location and dimensions.
  • Diagram showing any changes to land use or proximity to utilities.
  • Must meet side and rear yard setback requirements specific to your residential zone.
  • Maximum height is generally restricted to 15 feet for accessory structures.
  • Small pre-fabricated sheds still require a 'Use of Premises' filing in Boston.
  • Shed must not be located in the front yard or block designated parking spaces.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Boston

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Boston 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; Boston’s exact cutoff is set by the Inspectional Services Department, 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 Boston

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Boston, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay under the Inspectional Services Department’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 Inspectional Services Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Boston

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Step 1: Obtain Plot Plan

Secure a certified plot plan that accurately reflects current property lines.

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Step 2: Submit 'Use of Premises'

File the application online via the Boston ISD permit portal.

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Step 3: Zoning Review

Staff verify the structure meets setback and lot coverage limits.

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Step 4: Pay Fees

Pay the primary fee based on construction value once the application is screened.

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Step 5: Installation

Proceed with installation; keep the approved permit on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Boston requires a 'Use of Premises' permit for all sheds to verify placement.
No, you must maintain minimum setbacks as defined by your specific residential zone.
Permanent sheds over a certain size may require structural foundations per state building code.
It depends on Boston’s threshold — many cities exempt sheds under roughly 120 to 200 square feet, but the exact cutoff is set by the Inspectional Services Department (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 Boston’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 Inspectional Services Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.