Shed Permit in Maricopa County, Arizona
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
For any shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical plumbing or mechanical components
Issued byMaricopa County Planning and Development Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
In unincorporated Maricopa County detached non-habitable accessory structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work are exempt from a building permit. All larger sheds or those with utilities require a permit. Sheds under 1,200 sq ft are eligible for Fast Track processing through the Permit Center. Zoning setbacks apply regardless of permit status.
Typical threshold: structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
For any shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical plumbing or mechanical components
What a shed permit costs in Maricopa County
How Maricopa County compares in Arizona
Across the Arizona jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 120 to 200, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures (storage sheds, open-air ramadas) with floor area of 120 sq ft or less and height of 7 ft or less (up to 9 ft with 2 additional feet of setback per additional foot of height) are exempt if not connected to any electrical, gas, or water utility; exceeding either limit or connecting a utility requires a building permit. |
| Gilbert | It depends | Structures less than 200 square feet do not require a permit; a permit is required at 200 square feet or larger, or if the shed has electrical or plumbing utilities or is connected to the house or another structure. |
| Maricopa Countythis page | It depends | structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit |
| Mesa | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft without utilities are exempt; structures 200 sq ft or larger or those with utilities require a permit |
| Peoria | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit when the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet. |
| Phoenix | It depends | detached structures without utilities at or under 200 sq ft are exempt; structures over 200 sq ft or with utilities require a permit |
| Pima County | It depends | One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar non-habitable accessory structures are the category Pima County's own adopted code amendments refer to as "structures exempted from permits"; the standard exemption size carried in the adopted IRC for this category is 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections, though Pima's own published guidance pages do not restate that figure directly. |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Arizona
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Maricopa County's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, floor area of a detached accessory structure
- Bellevue, Washington, detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit
- Clark County, Nevada, sheds over 200 sq ft require a building permit; storage sheds 200 sq ft or under may be exempt under Building Administrative Code Section 22.02.190
How to apply in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Maricopa County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Maricopa County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Maricopa County Planning and Development Department sets the exact checklist for Maricopa County.
Where to apply in Maricopa County:
Maricopa County Planning and Development Department
- 301 West Jefferson Street Phoenix AZ 85003
- Phone: 602-506-3301
Shed Permit in Maricopa County compared with nearby Arizona localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Arizona schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | It depends | structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit | Non-habitable accessory buildings are valued as a private garage with the Table 1-A fee... | |
| Chandler | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures (storage sheds, open-air ramadas) with floor area of 120 sq ft or less and height of 7 ft or less (up to 9 ft with 2 additional feet of setback per additional foot of height) are exempt if not connected to any electrical, gas, or water utility; exceeding either limit or connecting a utility requires a building permit. | Flat $150 residential ramada/accessory storage building permit fee per Fee Schedule... | |
| Gilbert | It depends | Structures less than 200 square feet do not require a permit; a permit is required at 200 square feet or larger, or if the shed has electrical or plumbing utilities or is connected to the house or another structure. | Valuation-based building permit fee, minimum $50 for work valued up to $1,100 | |
| Mesa | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft without utilities are exempt; structures 200 sq ft or larger or those with utilities require a permit | Sheds under 200 sq ft with no utility connections need no permit per the Residential... | |
| Peoria | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit when the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet. | Valuation-based building permit fee, minimum 87 dollars |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Maricopa County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Maricopa County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Maricopa County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Maricopa County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Maricopa County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Maricopa County permit portal or by phone at 602-506-3301.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Maricopa County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit. Usually needed: For any shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical plumbing or mechanical components.
- Budget the fee. Non-habitable accessory buildings are valued as a private garage with the Table 1-A fee applied, $23.50 minimum, per the Summary of the Fee Schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Maricopa County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Maricopa County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Phone: 602-506-3301. Address: 301 West Jefferson Street Phoenix AZ 85003.
- Plan for inspections. In Maricopa County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Permitting activity in Maricopa County
In 2024, Maricopa County authorized permits for 36,380 new residential housing units (21,667 single-family, 14,713 in multi-family buildings), valued at $9.1B, down from 38,292 the year before. That works out to about 7.8 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 4,673,096.
About Maricopa County
Maricopa County has about 1,850,862 housing units. The median home is valued at $414,700, against a median household income of $85,518. About 65% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1992.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Maricopa County?
- In unincorporated Maricopa County detached non-habitable accessory structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work are exempt from a building permit. All larger sheds or those with utilities require a permit. Sheds under 1,200 sq ft are eligible for Fast Track processing through the Permit Center. Zoning setbacks apply regardless of permit status. Structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Maricopa County?
- Non-habitable accessory buildings are valued as a private garage with the Table 1-A fee applied, $23.50 minimum, per the Summary of the Fee Schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Maricopa County?
- You can apply through the Maricopa County permit portal or contact the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Maricopa County?
- Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5), (A)(9), (A)(14)(a); 32-1164(A)(2), (B)): Arizona addresses owner-builders through its contractor licensing law rather than through the building code itself. A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5) exempts property owners who build or improve structures on their own land and do the work themselves, with their own employees, or with duly licensed contractors, as long as the finished structure is for the owner's own occupancy and is not intended for sale or rent. Selling or renting within one year of completion or of the certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence the project was really undertaken for sale or rent, which defeats the exemption, a rule that functions much like Florida's one-year restriction. The exemption does not waive the underlying permit requirement: several of the chapter's small-job licensing exemptions, including the $1,000 casual-work exemption in A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(14), expressly do not apply whenever the work requires a local building permit, so once a job needs a permit, anyone doing that work for someone else generally must hold an Arizona contractor's license regardless of dollar amount. Acting as a contractor without a license, on permit-required work or otherwise, is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 32-1164, carrying a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a repeat offense. Confirm how Maricopa County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Maricopa County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No deck-specific line item, valuation-based building permit fee under Table 1-A with a... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat rate by residential service size, $50 for 1-200 amps, $75 for 201-400 amps, $120... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | any fence over 1 foot in height requires at minimum a drainage clearance permit; fences over 6 feet require a building permit and zoning clearance | Valuation-based: fence material valued per lineal foot from $3 (barbed wire) to $18... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee of $50 for mechanical work under the Minor Self Service flat rate schedule, per... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | attached patio cover or patio enclosure connected to the house requires a building permit; ground-level open patio slab does not | No flat patio fee |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee of $50 to install or replace plumbing equipment, fixtures, or devices under... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | In-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot with the Table 1-A fee applied to... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | re-roofing is exempt unless in a wildfire hazard zone or structural changes are involved | No permit or fee for a like-kind reroof using the same material as the original roofing... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Roof-mounted residential solar is printed at $300 ($150 inspection plus $140 plan review... |
Shed Permit in other Arizona localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Maricopa County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Maricopa County was verified. 2 official sources: maricopa.gov, maricopa.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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