Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$150 Small sheds are exempt; larger structures require a building permit fee.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Building Division →

What's Required in St. Louis

  • Permit required if the shed exceeds 120 square feet.
  • Must be located in the rear yard and meet property line setbacks.
  • Maximum height is generally restricted to 15 feet.
  • Electrical permits are required separately if wiring is installed.
  • Cannot be used for living quarters or commercial business.
  • Shed must be anchored to prevent wind uplift.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in St. Louis

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

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in St. Louis, “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 Building Division before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in St. Louis

1

Step 1: Verify Dimensions

Ensure the shed is under 120 sq ft to avoid a building permit.

2

Step 2: Check Setbacks

Confirm placement meets the minimum distance from neighbors (usually 3ft).

3

Step 3: Submit Application

File for an Accessory Structure permit online for larger sheds.

4

Step 4: Pay Fees

Submit the required fee based on the shed's square footage.

5

Step 5: Final Inspection

Required only for permitted structures over 120 sq ft.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, sheds 120 sq ft or less are exempt from building permits in St. Louis.
Generally no; most accessory structures must be in the rear yard.
No, but it must be on a level, stable surface and anchored.
In St. Louis, 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 St. Louis’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 Building Division; zoning setbacks apply either way.