PlainPermitBuilding permit myths, checked against official rules
Short answer: Permit exemptions are local: shed size limits, fence heights, re-roof rules and water heater rules differ widely between cities, so a rule of thumb from one place is often wrong in another.
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.
Myth: Small sheds under 120 square feet never need a permit in Fort Worth.
Fact: Fort Worth says every storage building needs a building permit.
- Fort Worth, TX: Yes. Fort Worth says all storage buildings, including shipping containers, need a building permit.
“All storage buildings require a building permit.”
Myth: Sheds up to 200 square feet are exempt everywhere.
Fact: Shed exemptions range from 50 square feet to 200 square feet, and some cities exempt none.
- Washington, DC: 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.
“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”
- San Francisco, CA: No permit only for a small shed: projected roof area under 100 sq ft and no taller than 8 ft. Larger sheds need a permit.
“One-story detached accessory buildings or structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, if the projected roof area is less than 100 square feet (9.29 m2) and no taller than 8 feet.”
- Seattle, WA: No permit for a single-story detached shed with a roof footprint of 120 sq ft or less on a slab, pier blocks or soil, outside environmentally critical areas.
“The total area (or “footprint”) of the shed’s roof is 120 square feet or less.”
- Denver, CO: No building permit for a one-story, detached, unconditioned shed with no more than 200 sq ft of projected roof area, 8-ft top plate and 14-ft max height. A zoning permit may still be needed (always in Former Chapter 59 zone districts).
“You do not need a building permit for one-story, detached, non-conditioned accessory buildings or structures; used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses; no more than 200 square feet of projected roof area, 8-ft top plate height, or 14-ft maximum height to any point.”
- Fort Worth, TX: Yes. Fort Worth says all storage buildings, including shipping containers, need a building permit.
“All storage buildings require a building permit.”
Myth: Replacing a water heater like-for-like never needs a permit.
Fact: Some cities require a permit for every replacement; others exempt in-kind swaps.
- Seattle, WA: Yes, since July 1, 2026. Public Health – Seattle & King County now requires a plumbing permit for every replacement water heater, including like-for-like swaps.
“Public Health will begin requiring permits for all replacement water heaters beginning July 1, 2026.”
- Philadelphia, PA: Yes. Replacing a water heater needs a plumbing permit; L&I can issue it immediately to a licensed contractor with current insurance and tax account.
“Some permits may be issued immediately if the application is made by the contractor with a current license, insurance, and tax account. This includes permits for: ... Replacing house drains, water distribution, curb trap, or water heater.”
- Chicago, IL: No building permit to repair or replace a water heater in kind (same type, size and shape) in a residential building up to 4 stories. A different type or size needs a permit.
“Repairing or replacing (in-kind) a hot water heater”
- New York City, NY: No permit for replacing a gas water heater (350,000 BTU or less, gas cock not moved, chimney inspected) in a home of five families or fewer, but it must be done by a Licensed Master Plumber, who reports it to DOB as Ordinary Plumbing Work. Other water heater work needs a permit.
“This work doesn’t require a permit.”
Myth: Re-roofing always needs a permit.
Fact: Several large cities exempt many re-roofs; others always require one.
- San Diego, CA: Most re-roofs need no permit: renewing roof covering is exempt when the existing roof structure, including the roof diaphragm, is not altered. Re-roofs that alter the structure need a permit with plans.
“Renewal of roof coverings on any building permitted by the California Building Code and the California Residential Code, where the existing roof structure, including roof diaphragm, is not altered.”
- Chicago, IL: No permit to repair, recover or replace a roof with a pitch of at least 2:12 on a residential building up to 4 stories. Low-slope roofs and any structural repair need a permit.
“Performing roof repair, recover, or replacement on a roof with a pitch of at least 2:12 (A building permit is required for any structural repair and any work on low-slope roofs.)”
- Fort Worth, TX: Shingle-only replacement needs no permit. Replacing decking, sheathing, lathing, rafters or ridge boards needs a building permit.
“Replacement of decking material, lathing boards, sheathing boards, rafters or ridge boards requires a building permit. Shingle work does not require a permit”
- Jacksonville, FL: Yes. Re-roofs are listed as alterations that need a building permit.
“Alterations – re-roofs, garage conversions, exterior stucco, etc.”
Myth: Fences under 6 feet never need a permit.
Fact: Height limits differ, and at least one large city has a permit for residential fences.
- Oklahoma City, OK: Yes. The City has a residential fence permit; a licensed fence contractor must apply unless the homeowner builds it.
“A licensed fence contractor is required to submit for residential fencing unless constructed by the home owner.”
- Chicago, IL: No building permit for a fence up to 5 ft above the ground (measured on both sides) that follows the Zoning Ordinance. Taller fences need a permit.
“Installing a fence that is no more than 5 feet above the ground (measured on both sides) and that conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance”
- Los Angeles, CA: No building permit for most fences up to 10 ft (not pool barriers), or masonry and concrete fences up to 3.5 ft. Zoning height limits still apply and are usually lower.
“Masonry or concrete fences not over 3-1/2 feet high, and other fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over 10 feet high.”