Do you need a permit for a shed in Fairfax County, VA?
It depends on size and placement.
Sheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit, but must stay out of the front yard.
A shed 8 1/2 ft tall or less can sit anywhere in the side or rear yard.
Between 8 1/2 and 12 ft tall, it needs 5 ft from the side and rear lines; taller ones need more.
Rules last checked by a person on October 20, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Fairfax County 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 Fairfax County
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Fairfax requires a building permit for detached structures over 256 sq ft, and for any structure attached to the house. |
| Floodplain development permit | In a FEMA special flood hazard area, development needs a floodplain permit, and the building official may require a building permit even for an exempt shed. |
| Electrical permit | Wiring a shed needs an electrical permit even when the shed is exempt.Confidence: medium |
Limits that apply citywide
| Location | Not in the front yard or the minimum front setback |
|---|---|
| Up to 8 1/2 ft tall | Anywhere in the side or rear yard |
| 8 1/2 to 12 ft tall | 5 ft from the side and rear lot lines |
| Over 12 ft tall | Rear setback equal to its height; the district's minimum side setback |
| Height cap | 20 ft for enclosed structures on lots of 36,000 sq ft or less |
| Total size | All enclosed accessory buildings together: no more than 50% of the house's floor area (lots of 36,000 sq ft or less) |
Local details
- 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.
- Lots along streams may fall in a Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area. Any shed, deck or addition in an RPA needs Bay Act review before a permit can issue.
How to apply
Questions people ask
- When does a shed need a building permit in Fairfax County?
- Fairfax requires a building permit for detached structures over 256 sq ft, and for any structure attached to the house. One-story detached sheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit in Fairfax County (Virginia USBC 108.2).
- Where do I apply for a shed permit in Fairfax County?
- Apply through PLUS permitting portal, or call 703-222-0801.
Sources
- Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2, Exemptions from application for permit. Checked 2026-10-20.
2. One story detached structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, provided the building area does not exceed 256 square feet... 5. Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety as provided for by Section 3306 or used…
- Fairfax County Code Compliance, Building trade and unpermitted construction (September 2024). Checked 2026-10-20.
[Permits are often required for] decks, porches, sheds, and adding other detached structures exceeding 256 square feet.
- 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...
- Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance § 4102.7.A(6)-(7), freestanding accessory structures and fences. Checked 2026-10-20.
On a lot that is 36,000 square feet or less, accessory structures may not be located in the front yard... If the structure does not exceed eight and one-half feet in height, it may be located in any part of a side yard or rear yard... between eight and one-…