Permit Required? Required (over 200 sq ft)
Typical Fee Range $0–$150 Sheds under 200 sq ft are exempt from building permits but must still comply with zoning setbacks.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Dallas Development Services Department →

What's Required in Dallas

  • No building permit required if shed is 200 square feet or less and has no utilities
  • Shed must be located in the rear yard and meet specific setback requirements (usually 3–5 feet from property lines)
  • Maximum height for an accessory structure is generally limited to 15 feet in residential zones
  • Foundations or concrete pads require a permit if they exceed 120 sq ft
  • Electrical or plumbing installations in a shed ALWAYS require trade permits
  • Site plan showing distances to property lines must be kept on file for code compliance

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Dallas

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Dallas usually comes down to size. In Dallas, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds of 200 square feet or less don’t need a building permit, while anything larger 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 Dallas

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Dallas, “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 City of Dallas Development Services Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Dallas

1

Step 1: Verify Size

Determine if your shed is over or under the 200 sq ft threshold.

2

Step 2: Check Setbacks

Consult the Dallas Zoning Map to ensure the shed location is legal.

3

Step 3: Online Filing

If over 200 sq ft, submit a 'Residential Accessory Structure' permit on eServices.

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Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the valuation-based fee (Minimum $105) if a permit is required.

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Step 5: Final Inspection

If permitted, schedule a final inspection to verify placement and structural anchoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, if the shed is 200 sq ft or smaller. Yes, if it is larger or has utilities.
If required, the fee starts at $110.25.
Typically 3 feet from side/rear lines, but this varies by zoning district; check with DSD Zoning.
In Dallas, sheds of 200 square feet or less can be built without a building permit; anything larger 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 Dallas’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 City of Dallas Development Services Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.