Shed Permit in Pinellas County, Florida
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-06 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
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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- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
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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 shed permit costs 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.
How Pinellas County compares in Florida
Across the Florida jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 36 to 400, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | It depends | sheds under 150 sq ft are exempt; 150 sq ft or larger require a building permit |
| Miami-Dade County | Permit required | only one utility shed up to 400 sq ft permitted per residential lot under County Code Section 33-20(k) |
| Orange County | Permit required | structures 120 sq ft or less require a zoning permit; structures over 120 sq ft require a full building permit with engineered plans |
| 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. |
| Pasco County | It depends | Sheds of 150 square feet or less are exempt only if approved by and on file with the Florida DBPR Manufactured Building Program, with tie-downs installed and setbacks met, and not in a special flood hazard area. |
| 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 |
| Polk County | It depends | Prefabricated reach-in storage structures of closet use are exempt only up to 5 ft mean height, 50 sq ft area and 250 cubic ft with no electrical or plumbing; all larger or walk-in structures require a permit. |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Florida
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Pinellas County's 100 sq ft.
- Nashville, Tennessee, accessory structures 100 sq ft or larger require a permit; structures under 100 sq ft may not require a permit
- Boston, Massachusetts, one-story detached accessory sheds used for tools or storage are exempt if floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft
- Chandler, Arizona, 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.
- Houston, Texas, one-story detached accessory structure under 120 sq ft does not require a permit
How to 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.
What most shed permit applications include:
- 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).
- 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
Inspections and closing out your permit
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: 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: 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: 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).
- 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. 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. 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 2026-07-06.
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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.
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 elect... |
| 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 dec... |
| 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 squa... |
| 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
Official sources
- https://pinellas.gov/code-enforcement-frequently-asked-questions/
- https://pinellas.gov/residential-permits/
- https://calhouncounty.sc.gov/sites/calhouncounty/files/Documents/Calhoun%20County/Departments/Building%20and%20Planning/2018IRC/2018%20IRC%20Building%20Guide_Accessory%20Structure.pdf
- https://www.botetourtva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/739/Accessory-Structure-Guide-pdf
- https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2023/553.73
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-06, not confirmed with Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-07-06Report an error on this page
Florida rule changes
- Broward County, FL updates building permit fee schedule (Ordinance 2025-038)
Ord. 2025-038 · 2026-07-25
- Florida waives permits for small single-family jobs under $7,500 (HB 803)
ch. 2026-63 (HB 803), F.S. 553.79 · 2026-07-25
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Shed Permit across Florida