Shed Permit in Arlington, TX
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Shed Permit?
Exemptions
The City's current homeowner guidance states that a storage shed requires a permit when it is over 100 square feet; therefore a storage shed of 100 square feet or less follows the no-building-permit path. Permit-exempt sheds still must comply with applicable zoning, setback, easement, floodplain, and other development standards.
Shed Use Rules
In residential districts, storage sheds are permitted accessory buildings. An accessory building may be used for hobbies only when the activity remains accessory and is not offensive by odor, noise, or manner of operation; accessory buildings cannot be used for commercial or business purposes. Accessory uses and structures must directly serve and remain incidental to the principal use.
Zoning & Placement Rules
Zoning Rules
Accessory structures must be on the same lot as the principal use, remain subordinate and incidental, and may not be placed in platted or recorded easements. A detached accessory structure generally may not exceed 50% of the floor area of the principal structure, and the combined floor area of all structures may not exceed the zoning district's maximum lot coverage. Residential lots allow up to three accessory buildings on lots under one acre and up to five on lots of one acre or more.
Setback Rules
Enclosed accessory buildings such as storage buildings may not be placed between the front property line and the building line projected from the front corners of the main building. The general side and rear setback is 5 feet. A corner or reverse-corner street-side lot line requires 15 feet, reducible to 10 feet with qualifying side screening. A rear lot line adjoining an arterial or collector requires 20 feet, reducible to 5 feet when the accessory structure is no taller than 8 feet in wall height and no larger than 200 square feet. On parcels within or immediately abutting single-family districts, wall heights over 8 feet trigger increased interior side and rear setbacks.
Maximum Height Rules
Accessory structures are generally limited to 24 feet unless another UDC provision exempts them. For parcels within or immediately abutting single-family residential districts, an accessory building's highest roof point may not exceed the height of the primary structure. Wall heights over 8 feet also increase required interior side and rear setbacks.
Lot Coverage Rules
A detached accessory structure generally may not exceed 50% of the floor area of the principal structure. The total combined floor area of all structures may not exceed the maximum lot coverage allowed by the property's zoning district.
Special Area Rules
Accessory structures may not be located within platted or recorded easements. Any development within a regulated flood zone requires a City Floodplain Development Permit. In addition, a residential accessory building greater than 320 square feet that is not constructed with the primary residence requires a post-construction drainage attestation, including a topographic survey and supporting documentation acceptable to the Zoning Administrator.
Construction Requirements
Foundation Rules
UDC Table 3.3-3 lists no foundation requirement in the zoning design table for residential accessory buildings of 200 square feet or less. For accessory buildings over 200 square feet, the foundation must comply with the Construction Chapter of the Arlington Code of Ordinances.
Permit & Review Path
Permit / Review Path
A storage shed of 100 square feet or less follows the no-building-permit path, while a shed over 100 square feet requires a permit through ArlingtonPermits. The current fee schedule uses a Portable Storage/Accessory Building category for structures 320 square feet and under and a Permanent Storage/Accessory Building category for structures over 320 square feet. Residential accessory buildings greater than 320 square feet also trigger the UDC post-construction drainage-attestation requirement when not built with the primary residence.
Trade Permits & Professional Design
Trade Permit Rules
Separate electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits may be required when that trade work is included. ArlingtonPermits provides separate application paths for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, and the City's shed guidance specifically flags electricity and plumbing as project considerations.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
A storage shed over 100 square feet requires a City permit. Sheds must also comply with the Unified Development Code for accessory-use, size, location, setbacks, height, lot coverage, materials, and easement restrictions, plus the applicable adopted construction codes. Projects in regulated flood zones or with separate trade work can require additional permits or approvals.
Required Documents
The City directs shed owners to use a site survey to verify utility easements and setbacks. For a permit application, submit the project information and plans requested through ArlingtonPermits so staff can verify size, location, zoning and construction-code compliance. For a residential accessory building greater than 320 square feet that is not constructed with the primary residence, the UDC requires a post-construction drainage attestation that includes a topographic survey and supporting documentation acceptable to the Zoning Administrator.