Shed Permit in Pinellas County, Florida
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
For any shed 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to electrical or plumbing utilities
Issued byPinellas County Building and Development Review Services
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Pinellas County exempts residential sheds under 100 square feet and no taller than 10 feet from a building permit, provided the shed is not connected to utilities and sits at least 3 feet from property lines (0 feet if the lot has a 6-foot opaque perimeter fence). Sheds 100 square feet or larger require a building permit, listed as an Accessory Structure in the county's Access Portal, and must meet zoning setback requirements. All accessory structures must also be subordinate in size to the primary residence under county zoning code.
Typical threshold: sheds under 100 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not connected to utilities, need no permit; sheds 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to utilities require a building permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
For any shed 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to electrical or plumbing utilities
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 Pinellas County
How Pinellas County compares in Florida
Across the Florida jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 68 to 150, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| 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 |
| Pinellas Countythis page | It depends | sheds under 100 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not connected to utilities, need no permit; sheds 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to utilities require a building permit |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Florida
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Pinellas County's 100 sq ft.
- Arlington, Texas, floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed
- Cincinnati, Ohio, total floor area of a shed accessory to a one-, two- or three-family dwelling
- Nashville, Tennessee, accessory structures 100 sq ft or larger require a permit; structures under 100 sq ft may not require a permit
- Cook County, Illinois, prefabricated storage containers
How to apply in Pinellas County
In Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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. Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services sets the exact checklist for Pinellas County.
Where to apply in Pinellas County:
Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services
- 440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Phone: (727) 464-3888
- Email: buildingservices@pinellas.gov
Shed Permit in Pinellas County compared with nearby Florida localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Florida schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County | It depends | sheds under 100 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not connected to utilities, need no permit; sheds 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to utilities require a building permit | Sheds under 100 sq ft with no utilities are permit-exempt | |
| 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas County permit portal or by phone at (727) 464-3888.
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 Pinellas County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: sheds under 100 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not connected to utilities, need no permit; sheds 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to utilities require a building permit. Usually needed: For any shed 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to electrical or plumbing utilities.
- Budget the fee. Sheds under 100 sq ft with no utilities are permit-exempt; a site-built shed shell is $375 (max 3 inspections) and a prefab shed over 100 sq ft is $175, both including plan review, per Building Stand Alone Permits V-L of the FY26 BDRS schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Pinellas 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 Pinellas County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services. Phone: (727) 464-3888. Address: 440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756.
- Plan for inspections. In Pinellas 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 Pinellas County?
- Pinellas County exempts residential sheds under 100 square feet and no taller than 10 feet from a building permit, provided the shed is not connected to utilities and sits at least 3 feet from property lines (0 feet if the lot has a 6-foot opaque perimeter fence). Sheds 100 square feet or larger require a building permit, listed as an Accessory Structure in the county's Access Portal, and must meet zoning setback requirements. All accessory structures must also be subordinate in size to the primary residence under county zoning code. Sheds under 100 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not connected to utilities, need no permit; sheds 100 sq ft or larger, taller than 10 ft, or connected to utilities require a building permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Pinellas County?
- Sheds under 100 sq ft with no utilities are permit-exempt; a site-built shed shell is $375 (max 3 inspections) and a prefab shed over 100 sq ft is $175, both including plan review, per Building Stand Alone Permits V-L of the FY26 BDRS schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Pinellas County?
- You can apply through the Pinellas County permit portal or contact the Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Pinellas 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 Pinellas County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Pinellas 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 dedicated deck line |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No flat generic electrical line |
| Fence Permit | It depends | chain-link, wood, and vinyl fences generally need no building permit, though a zoning clearance may be required in certain conditions such as pool safety barriers or corner-lot sight triangles; masonry fences, retaining walls, seawalls, and fences over 6 ft are handled as separate building-permit types | Fences of chain link, vinyl or wood 6 feet or less need no building permit |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical Stand Alone fees are tiered: $140 for an equal AC changeout, more with... |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Open flatwork patios are permit-exempt |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No flat generic plumbing line |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $550 base covers building, electric and plan review for a pool, spa or hot tub with deck... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | non-structural roof work (e.g. roof covering only, not sheathing or framing) with a total project value under $7,500 on a single-family home outside a flood hazard area may qualify for a written permit-exemption approval from the County Building Official instead of a standard permit; structural roof work, any work on a flood-zone property, or any project at or above $7,500 requires a standard roofing permit | $180 covers the first 20 squares of a residential reroof plus $1.50 per additional... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee by system type: photovoltaic systems $250 each, solar domestic water heating... |
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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas County was verified. 2 official sources: pinellas.gov, pinellas.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Florida 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 ·