Shed Permit in Palm Beach County, Florida
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before constructing any shed or accessory storage enclosure larger than 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft, or to obtain the simplified zoning-only permit for a smaller one
Issued byPalm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Palm Beach County requires a permit for all residential sheds in the unincorporated county. Accessory enclosures no larger than 6 ft by 6 ft by 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a streamlined Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit, a zoning-only review exempt from Building Code plan review and inspections. Sheds exceeding that size are processed as a Type 2(A) Building Permit, listed as 'Shed' in the county's Permit Application Types guide, and require full plan review and inspections. All accessory structures must still meet zoning setback requirements.
Typical threshold: Accessory storage enclosures (sheds) up to 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit (zoning review only, no Building Code plan review or inspection); sheds larger than that footprint or height require a standard Type 2(A) Building Permit with plan review and inspections.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before constructing any shed or accessory storage enclosure larger than 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft, or to obtain the simplified zoning-only permit for a smaller one
What your shed permit must meet in Florida
Florida sheds are built under the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), which requires structures to be designed for the state's wind loads, but Florida Statutes carve out two specific size-based reductions in what a shed must resist or include.
- As a structure, a shed is generally subject to the Florida Building Code's baseline wind-design requirement that applies to buildings and structures statewide (FBC Section 1609.1).
- Storage sheds not designed for human habitation with a floor area of 720 square feet or less are exempt from the code's mandatory windborne-debris-impact (opening protection) standard (F.S. 553.73(10)).
- Buildings of 400 square feet or less used in conjunction with a one- or two-family residence, which covers most sheds, are exempt from the code's door height and width requirements (F.S. 553.73(10)).
Based on Florida Statutes 553.73(10); Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Section 1609.1. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a shed permit costs in Palm Beach County
How Palm Beach County compares in Florida
That is the strictest shed permit threshold among the Florida jurisdictions we have verified: Alachua County and Hillsborough County allow up to 150.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | It depends | area of a single storage shed, exemption available once per property |
| Brevard County | It depends | A permit is required for an accessory structure (shed) over 100 square feet. |
| Charlotte County | It depends | A building permit is not required for plastic or rubber manufactured type sheds 68 square feet or less in area, though they must comply with zoning setbacks and be moved and secured if there is the threat of a tropical storm. |
| Escambia County | It depends | A portable, skid-mounted utility shed under 120 square feet does not require a permit; any utility shed with a poured slab or a post installed into the earth requires a permit regardless of size. |
| Hernando County | It depends | Sheds with impervious roof coverings of 120 square feet or less do not require a Zoning permit, provided other county regulations (setbacks, floodplain rules, one detached accessory building per parcel, etc.) are met |
| Hillsborough County | It depends | sheds under 150 sq ft are exempt; 150 sq ft or larger require a building permit |
| Palm Beach Countythis page | Permit required | Accessory storage enclosures (sheds) up to 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit (zoning review only, no Building Code plan review or inspection); sheds larger than that footprint or height require a standard Type 2(A) Building Permit with plan review and inspections. |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Florida
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Palm Beach County's 36 sq ft.
- St. Louis, Missouri, square feet of floor area for a detached accessory building, which must also keep the setbacks required by the Zoning Ordinance
- Sterling Heights, Michigan, shed floor area above which a building permit is required
- Cook County, Illinois, prefabricated storage containers
- Arlington, Texas, floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed
How to apply in Palm Beach County
In Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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. Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division sets the exact checklist for Palm Beach County.
Where to apply in Palm Beach County:
Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division
- 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
- Phone: (561) 233-5100
Shed Permit in Palm Beach County compared with nearby Florida localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Florida schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County | Permit required | Accessory storage enclosures (sheds) up to 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit (zoning review only, no Building Code plan review or inspection); sheds larger than that footprint or height require a standard Type 2(A) Building Permit with plan review and inspections. | Accessory Bldg under 36 sq ft site-built or prefab: $50 flat fee | |
| Alachua County | It depends | area of a single storage shed, exemption available once per property | No shed-specific flat fee is published for sheds that don't qualify for the exemption | |
| Brevard County | It depends | A permit is required for an accessory structure (shed) over 100 square feet. | Sheds are filed under the Residential Addition permit category, whose fee table lists a... | |
| Broward County | Permit required | Not specified | No separate shed fee line | |
| Charlotte County | It depends | A building permit is not required for plastic or rubber manufactured type sheds 68 square feet or less in area, though they must comply with zoning setbacks and be moved and secured if there is the threat of a tropical storm. | At application: flat fee $90, plus a 0.025 x building-fee surcharge and a $22 zoning... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County permit portal or by phone at (561) 233-5100.
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 Palm Beach County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Typical threshold: Accessory storage enclosures (sheds) up to 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit (zoning review only, no Building Code plan review or inspection); sheds larger than that footprint or height require a standard Type 2(A) Building Permit with plan review and inspections. Usually needed: Before constructing any shed or accessory storage enclosure larger than 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft, or to obtain the simplified zoning-only permit for a smaller one.
- Budget the fee. Accessory Bldg under 36 sq ft site-built or prefab: $50 flat fee; 36 to 400 sq ft site-built: $200; 36 sq ft or more prefab: $100 per 400 sq ft (Building Division fee schedule). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division. Phone: (561) 233-5100. Address: 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.
- Plan for inspections. In Palm Beach 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 .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Palm Beach County?
- Palm Beach County requires a permit for all residential sheds in the unincorporated county. Accessory enclosures no larger than 6 ft by 6 ft by 6 ft high, for single-family dwellings only, qualify for a streamlined Type 1 Site Plan Review Permit, a zoning-only review exempt from Building Code plan review and inspections. Sheds exceeding that size are processed as a Type 2(A) Building Permit, listed as 'Shed' in the county's Permit Application Types guide, and require full plan review and inspections. All accessory structures must still meet zoning setback requirements. Always confirm with the Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Palm Beach County?
- Accessory Bldg under 36 sq ft site-built or prefab: $50 flat fee; 36 to 400 sq ft site-built: $200; 36 sq ft or more prefab: $100 per 400 sq ft (Building Division fee schedule). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Palm Beach County?
- You can apply through the Palm Beach County permit portal or contact the Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Palm Beach County?
- Under Florida law (F.S. 489.103(7)(a)-(c)): Florida lets you pull your own permit as an owner-builder under section 489.103(7), Florida Statutes, which exempts property owners from the contractor licensing law when they act as their own contractor and provide direct, onsite supervision of all work not performed by licensed contractors. The exemption covers building or improving a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding for your own occupancy or use, and commercial buildings only up to a $75,000 cost, and the property may not be built or improved for sale or lease. If you sell or lease the property within 1 year after completing the work, the law presumes it was built for sale or lease, which violates the exemption. To qualify, you must personally appear and sign the building permit application and sign a state-prescribed disclosure statement acknowledging that you are the party legally and financially responsible for the construction, that you must provide direct, onsite supervision, and that unlicensed people you use must be your own employees, bringing federal tax withholding and workers' compensation obligations. You may not hire an unlicensed person to act as your contractor and may not delegate supervision to anyone who is not licensed for the work being done; if these requirements are violated, the local permitting agency shall withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue unlicensed-activity remedies. A separate narrow branch of the exemption also lets an owner take over and complete a permit on a one-family or two-family residence when the original contractor substantially completed the project. Confirm how Palm Beach County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Palm Beach 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 | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum, per the PZB Building Division fee... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum, per the PZB Building Division fee... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $125 fee for a residential fence permit, per the PZB Building Division fee schedule |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum for a new HVAC system with duct... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum for a single family, duplex or... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum, per the PZB Building Division fee... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Portable or manufactured pools and spas less than 24 inches deep need no permit; all in-ground pools, larger above-ground pools, and spas require a Building Permit (Type 3(E) for 1 and 2 unit dwellings) plus applicable electrical, plumbing, and pool-barrier sub-permits, and must satisfy Florida's residential pool safety-feature requirements under F.S. 515.27 before final inspection. | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum for a site-built in-ground... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Non-structural roof work (e.g. roof covering only, not sheathing or framing) valued under $7,500 on a single-family home outside a special flood hazard area may qualify for a written permit-exemption request under F.S. 553.79(1)(g); electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work are excluded regardless of value; structural roof work or any project at or above $7,500 requires a standard Type 1 Building Permit ('Reroofing') with dry-in and final inspections. | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum for reroofing a single family... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Charged by value of construction with a $75 minimum for a solar photovoltaic system, per... |
Shed Permit in other Florida localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Palm Beach 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
- Florida Statutes 553.73(10); Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Section 1609.1
How this shed permit page for Palm Beach County was verified. 3 official sources: discover.pbcgov.org, discover.pbcgov.org, discover.pbcgov.org; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Permit office
Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building Department, Building Division
(561) 233-5100Permit portalFlorida rule changes
- Broward County, FL updates building permit fee schedule (Ordinance 2025-038)
Ord. 2025-038 ·
- Florida waives permits for small single-family jobs under $7,500 (HB 803)
ch. 2026-63 (HB 803), F.S. 553.79 ·