Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$200 Small sheds are exempt; larger ones require a building permit fee.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections →

What's Required in Pittsburgh

  • Permit required if the shed exceeds 120 square feet.
  • Must be located in the rear yard behind the house.
  • Maximum height usually limited to 15 feet.
  • Electrical wiring requires a separate trade permit.
  • Plumbing is not permitted in standard accessory sheds.
  • Must maintain a minimum setback (usually 3-5ft) from property lines.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Pittsburgh

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

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Pittsburgh, “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, Licenses, and Inspections before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Pittsburgh

1

Step 1: Verify Size

Measure your shed to see if it exceeds 120 sq ft.

2

Step 2: Zoning Check

Ensure placement meets setback rules for your district.

3

Step 3: Submit Portal

Apply for an 'Accessory Structure' permit online.

4

Step 4: Pay Fees

Standard residential accessory building fees apply.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final building inspection after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, sheds 120 sq ft or less do not require a building permit in Pittsburgh.
No, accessory structures must be in the rear or side yard.
Permitted sheds must be anchored to a stable base or foundation.
In Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh’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, Licenses, and Inspections; zoning setbacks apply either way.