Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$250 Fees based on square footage for additions or accessory buildings.
Fee Method Size-based
Apply Online Apply at Development Services Department →

What's Required in Fort Worth

  • Permit required for residential accessory buildings.
  • Building Addition/Remodel fee of $0.50 per sq. ft. applies.
  • Mandatory building plan review fee of $75.
  • Must comply with zoning district allowances.
  • Must meet side and rear property line setbacks.
  • Maximum height is restricted based on the primary structure.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Fort Worth

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Fort Worth usually comes down to size. Most cities exempt small accessory structures — commonly those under about 120 to 200 square feet — and require a permit for anything larger; Fort Worth’s exact cutoff is set by the Development Services Department, so check the size threshold in the requirements above before you build. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) sits right at that common dividing line, so it’s worth confirming. 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 Fort Worth

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Fort Worth, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay under the Development Services Department’s size threshold, 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 Development Services Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Fort Worth

1

Step 1: Zoning Verification

Use the Permit Assist tool to see if the project is allowed in your district.

2

Step 2: Prepare Site Plan

Show the shed dimensions and its distance from property lines.

3

Step 3: Apply Online

File for a 'Residential Building' permit via Accela.

4

Step 4: Pay Review Fee

Pay the $75 plan review fee during submission.

5

Step 5: Construction

Build according to approved setbacks and pay final per-sq-ft fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is $0.50 per square foot, plus a $75 plan review fee.
Yes, residential building permits can be applied for online.
Most accessory structures require a permit to ensure zoning compliance.
It depends on Fort Worth’s threshold — many cities exempt sheds under roughly 120 to 200 square feet, but the exact cutoff is set by the Development Services Department (see the requirements above). 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 under Fort Worth’s size threshold 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 Development Services Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.