Do you need a permit for a shed in San Francisco, CA?
It depends on size and placement.
San Francisco allows one exempt shed per lot; a second needs a permit.
A shed on a deck or roof deck always needs a permit.
City sources disagree on the size limit (120 sq ft floor and 10 ft vs. under 100 sq ft roof and 8 ft), so plan for the smaller one.
Rules last checked by a person on October 19, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with San Francisco 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 San Francisco
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | San Francisco exempts only one small detached storage shed per lot. City sources set the limit at under 100 sq ft of roof and 8 ft tall (sf.gov) or 120 sq ft of floor and 10 ft (DBI FAQ); SetbackIQ uses the stricter reading.Confidence: medium |
| 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
- Sheds still have to meet side and rear yard requirements. Confirm rear yard rules with the Planning Department.
- 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
- Check if your project needs a permit (sf.gov)
- SF Property Information Map
- Phone: (628) 652-3200
Questions people ask
- When does a shed need a building permit in San Francisco?
- San Francisco exempts only one small detached storage shed per lot. City sources set the limit at under 100 sq ft of roof and 8 ft tall (sf.gov) or 120 sq ft of floor and 10 ft (DBI FAQ); SetbackIQ uses the stricter reading. A single detached storage shed under 100 sq ft of roof and 8 ft tall, on the ground, meets every version of San Francisco's exemption.
- Where do I apply for a shed permit in San Francisco?
- Apply through Check if your project needs a permit (sf.gov), or call (628) 652-3200.
Sources
- sf.gov, Check if your construction project needs a permit. Checked 2026-10-19.
One-story detached accessory buildings... used as tool and storage sheds... projected roof area less than 100 square feet and no taller than 8 feet... Fences less than 6 feet high located at the rear and side lot lines at the rear of the property.
- SF DBI, Storage Sheds Exempt from Permit (FAQ, 10/24/2025). Checked 2026-10-19.
Floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (SFBC 106A.2.1)... 1 story and not more than 10 feet... Only one exempt shed is allowed per lot... A shed placed on a deck above yard grade, including a roof deck, requires a building permit.
- 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…