Sheds and Garages

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Overview

Any enclosed building, detached from a principal building on the same lot, and customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use will require a permit.

Accessory buildings being constructed on non-residential lots require Plan Commission approval prior to permit application submittal.

Homeowners wishing to pull their own permits must physically reside at the address where the work will be done.

Application Requirements

Shed & Garage Permit Application
Cautionary Statement for Owners Obtaining Building Permits (for all homeowners pulling their own shed and garage permit)
1 set of building plans (for buildings 120 square feet or greater)
Plat of Survey with proposed structure drawn to scale and setbacks clearly indicated
An Erosion Control application may be required upon review by the Engineering Department.
- You will be contacted and advised accordingly.
Payment – See application for current fees

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the application process?

How do I locate my property lot line?

How do I get a plat of survey?

How many accessory buildings can I have and what size can they be?

Sec. 17.0414
Two (2) accessory buildings shall be allowed per lot and shall only be permitted after a principal structure has been constructed on the same lot.
On lots less than or equal to one-half (0.5) acre the aggregate maximum area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet or seventy-five (75) percent of the livable area of the principal building, whichever is less. Livable area shall not include basements.
On lots greater than one-half (0.5) acre, the aggregate maximum area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed one thousand and two hundred (1,200) square feet or seventy-five (75) percent of the livable area of the principal building, whichever is less.
Accessory buildings shall have a maximum height of twenty (20) feet but in no instance shall exceed the height of the principal building.

Where can the accessory building be located?

An accessory building must be located per the following:
- If located entirely within the required rear yard, the accessory building shall be located a minimum of five feet from side and rear property lines;
- If located entirely within the buildable area of the lot, the accessory building shall not be located between the principal building and the front property line;
- If located partially in the required rear yard and partially in the buildable area of the lot, the accessory building shall maintain the required side yard setback for the full length of the property and be a minimum of five feet from the rear property line; or
- As permitted in Sec. 17.0303(b), Yard setback modifications
- See Sec. 17.0414(a) for a diagram illustrating these requirements
An accessory building cannot be located in the front yard.
Detached private garages shall be located not less than ten (10) feet from any principal building, except that such distance may be reduced to not less than five (5) feet when the adjacent walls and openings are protected with a minimum three-fourths (3/4) hour fire-rated construction Sec 15.18(b)(1).

Will I need a driveway to access the building?

Is a concrete foundation required for my accessory building?

Sec. 15.18(c)
The floor in all accessory structures larger than 200 square feet must be concrete. They may be built with a continuous floating slab of reinforced concrete at least 4 inches thick. Reinforcement must be provided by a 10-guage 6x6 inch wire mesh, or an approved fiber mesh system.
The slab must have a thickened edge all around, 8 inches wide and 8 inches below the top of the slab. The thickened edge must have two No. 4 horizontal reinforcement bars placed at the center. The lower reinforcement bar must be set 2 inches above the bottom of the thickened edge.

What inspections are required?

Are there any other restrictions?

How do I request an inspection?

Questions?

Contact the Building Inspection Department, Monday-Friday during regular business hours.