Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $150–$300 Minimum permit fee is $150; increases if construction cost is over $2,000.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department →

What's Required in Detroit

  • Permit required if the shed exceeds 200 square feet in R1/R2 zones.
  • Permit required for any shed over 120 square feet in all other zones.
  • Must be located in the rear yard behind the house.
  • Electrical permits are mandatory if wiring is installed.
  • Shed must be anchored to prevent movement during high winds.
  • Must maintain a minimum setback (usually 3ft) from side and rear property lines.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Detroit

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Detroit usually comes down to size. In Detroit, the cutoff is 200 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) comes in under the limit, so it typically doesn’t need a building 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 Detroit

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Detroit, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 200-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 Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Detroit

1

Step 1: Verify Dimensions

Check if your shed exceeds the 200 sq ft permit threshold.

2

Step 2: Plot Plan

Identify shed location and setbacks on a property survey.

3

Step 3: Submit eLAPS

Apply for an Accessory Structure permit online.

4

Step 4: Pay Fees

Submit the $150 minimum application fee.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Final check required once the structure is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, in R1/R2 residential zones, sheds under 200 sq ft are exempt.
Generally no; Detroit code requires accessory structures to be in the rear yard.
The minimum residential building permit fee is $150.
In Detroit, you can build a shed up to 200 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 Detroit’s 200 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 Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.