PlainPermit

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Do I need a permit for a shed in Washington, DC?

Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: high

Only one small garden shed is exempt: 50 sq ft or less, under 10 ft tall, accessory to a house, with no other exempt shed on the lot. Larger sheds need a Shed Permit with plans and a surveyor's plat.

What changes the answer

Note: DC's 50 sq ft shed limit is one of the smallest we have seen.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see DC DOB. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

Where to apply

DC Department of Buildings (DOB) online permits

Permitting authority: District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB). Covers the District of Columbia. Historic districts remove most exemptions. Work in public space (including many front yards and alleys) needs a separate DDOT public space permit.

Official sources

“Single garden storage shed that does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2) in area, is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in overall height”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“For construction of a new shed architectural plans and a surveyor’s plat are required.”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/service/shed-permit-0

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

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Other projects in Washington

Shed permits in other cities