Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$145 Building permit required for accessory structures over 120 sq ft.
Fee Method Flat fee
Apply Online Apply at Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections →

What's Required in Baltimore

  • Building permit required for sheds greater than 120 square feet.
  • Site plan is required with all applications regardless of structure size.
  • Must be located in the rear yard behind the rear foundation wall line.
  • Must be located at least 2.5 feet from side and rear property lines.
  • Minimum setback of 15 feet from the centerline of an alley.
  • Maximum height limitation is 15 feet.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Baltimore

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Baltimore usually comes down to size. In Baltimore, the cutoff is 120 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) 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 Baltimore

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Baltimore, “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 Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Baltimore

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Step 1: Site Plan Preparation

Create a plan showing the structure relative to property lines and foundation.

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Step 2: Documentation

Complete the mandatory Accessory Structure Letter.

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Step 3: Portal Submission

Submit your application and docs online via the PAI portal.

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Step 4: Contractor Verification

A MHIC Licensed Contractor must be identified on the application.

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Step 5: Fee Payment

Fees are calculated and paid through the online dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, sheds must be behind the rear foundation line unless a variance is obtained.
Structures larger than 400 square feet require frost-line footings.
If under 120 sq ft, no building permit is needed unless in a historic district.
In Baltimore, you can build a shed up to 120 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 Baltimore’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 Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections; zoning setbacks apply either way.