Do you need a permit for a shed in Austin, TX?
It depends on size and placement.
Austin's shed exemption allows 200 sq ft of floor area and 15 ft of height.
No plumbing is allowed in an exempt shed.
Inside a flood hazard area there is no exemption at all.
Rules last checked by a person on October 19, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Austin before you build.
Check your exact lot
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a shed can need in Austin
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Austin exempts only one-story detached sheds up to 200 sq ft and 15 ft tall, with no plumbing, outside flood hazard areas. |
| Floodplain development permit | If the lot is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, communities in the flood insurance program must permit all development there, sheds included. |
| Electrical permit | Running power to the shed needs an electrical permit even when the shed itself is exempt.Confidence: medium |
Local details
- Austin's setback rules for accessory buildings sit in the Land Development Code and haven't been verified for this page yet. Ask Development Services before placing a shed near a property line.
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
How to apply
- Austin Build + Connect (AB+C)
- Work exempt from building permits
- City and Land Development Code
- Phone: 311 (512-974-2000)
Questions people ask
- When does a shed need a building permit in Austin?
- Austin exempts only one-story detached sheds up to 200 sq ft and 15 ft tall, with no plumbing, outside flood hazard areas. One-story detached sheds up to 200 sq ft and 15 ft tall, with no plumbing and outside a flood hazard area, don't need a building permit.
- Where do I apply for a shed permit in Austin?
- Apply through Austin Build + Connect (AB+C), or call 311 (512-974-2000).
Sources
- City of Austin, Work Exempt from Building Permits. Checked 2026-10-19.
A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet of floor area, no more than 15 feet in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19.
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19.
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- 2024 IRC R105.2, Work exempt from permit (text published by the City of Benson, AZ). Checked 2026-10-19.
One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Fences not over 7 feet high. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a…