Building a Shed – Rules and Regulations

When building a shed, rules and regulations need to be followed because there are often local or state building ordinances and permitting guidelines that dictate what types of outbuildings can be added to your home, just like any other types of home improvement. There are reasons that you need be aware of any local building codes before you ever think about building a shed. Rules and regulations need to be followed, including size limitations, types of construction and other items such as materials used, setbacks from property lines need to be considered and some locations may not allow detached outbuildings.

Many people consider pre-built sheds or shed-building construction plans, when building a shed. Rules and regulations still apply in many jurisdictions and there may be some minimum sizes that can be built because they don’t fall under the ordinances, but the first thing you need to do is check with your local building department regarding codes and zoning laws. Rescheck If your shed construction and designs are not up to code, you may be wasting time and money because you will need to tear down the structure, even if it is a small 5 foot by 3 foot shed.

How far you are from property lines is known as “setback” requirements and you need to be sure you have adequate space for the building or shed you plan to build. In addition, there are some strict rules and restrictions in certain subdivisions and neighborhoods that dictate whether outdoor building sheds are even allowed at all. Gated communities might strictly prohibit detached outbuildings or may dictate the exact design. Before building a shed, rules and regulations to be checked include your subdivision or community mandates and by-laws, as well.

When building a shed, rules and regulations might be identical to any other type of outbuilding, such as a detached garage, well-house or greenhouse. There are some people that consider the plastic and portable sheds that can be easily assembled and disassembled for this reason. These types of temporary shed options are particularly designed for those that need to store a lawnmower in the summer or a snow blower in the winter.

While temporary building shed solutions can be an attractive solution for some, getting a building permit and following rules are required for a permanent solution that demands designing and building a shed. Rules and regulations, along with building inspections for certain phases of construction, might be part of the process. There are reasons for these requirements and inspections, when building a shed. Rules and regulations are designed to protect property values, along with the safety of neighbors and the property owner.

For this reason, you need to consider a good support system, solid floor and proper construction for safety and long life of the shed. Determining what you will use the shed for, how much space you have for building and your budget are other things to think about when searching for shed kits or designing your shed. Once you determine your needs and reasons for building a shed, rules and regulations are the next step of the discovery process and the first step to consider. This is especially true in subdivisions and locations that have strict zoning and building permit codes, such as gated communities.