Fees
Estimated city fees
Baseline for a simple permitted shed: $150–$500 estimated city fees for a permitted shed over 200 sq ft (structures ≤ 200 sq ft without utilities are typically exempt from the building permit fee but must still meet zoning setbacks and height)
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit (sheds over 200 sq ft) | $150–$500 (estimated range) | Phoenix Planning & Development Department calculates residential building permit fees from project valuation on a sliding scale. Sheds 200 sq ft or less without utilities typically require no building permit fee. Verify current fees at phoenix.gov/pdd. |
| Plan review fee | ~65% of the building permit fee | Phoenix charges a plan review fee of approximately 65% of the building permit fee for projects requiring plan check. Simple accessory structures may qualify for over-the-counter review. |
| Electrical permit | $75–$200 (estimated range) | Required for any electrical wiring. Must be pulled by a licensed electrician. |
| Plumbing permit | $75–$200 (estimated range) | Required for any plumbing fixture (sink, hose bib, toilet). Must be pulled by a licensed plumber. |
| Zoning adjustment (if variance needed) | Varies | If the proposed shed requires a variance from setback or height standards, a zoning adjustment application and hearing fee apply. |
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Conditions
The rules that apply
- One-story detached accessory structures used as storage sheds or similar uses with a floor area of 200 square feet or less are generally exempt from Phoenix building permit review under IRC work-exempt language as adopted in the 2018 Phoenix Building Construction Code.
- A building permit is required for any shed exceeding 200 square feet in floor area.
- A building permit is required for any shed more than one story.
- An electrical permit is required for any shed with wiring, outlets, lighting, or a dedicated subpanel — regardless of the shed's size or building-permit exemption.
- A plumbing permit is required for any shed with a sink, toilet, hose bib, or other plumbing fixtures.
- All sheds — including permit-exempt structures — must still comply with Phoenix Zoning Ordinance accessory-structure standards for setbacks, height, lot placement, and lot coverage.
- Phoenix shed design is shaped more by zoning placement and desert-site construction than by frost protection. In many residential contexts, accessory structures are limited to about 15 feet in height and must respect side / rear-yard placement rules for the parcel and district.
- Phoenix does not have a meaningful frost-depth issue for a typical backyard shed, but slab, pier, or anchoring details still need to account for soil movement, drainage, and expansive-clay conditions common in Valley sites.
- Accessory structures may not be placed in the required front yard and may not encroach on utility, drainage, or access easements.
- Properties in a Phoenix Historic Preservation (HP) overlay require a Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Office before any new accessory structure is built.
- HOA covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) may impose stricter size, setback, material, or placement limits and are enforced separately from the city.
Documents
What you'll need to file
- Completed residential building permit application through SHAPE PHX / Phoenix e-permits.
- Site plan drawn to scale showing property boundaries, existing structures, easements, setbacks, and the proposed shed footprint and dimensions.
- Floor plan and elevation drawings showing shed dimensions, height, roof pitch, and exterior materials.
- Foundation details appropriate to the shed size and Phoenix site conditions, including slab, piers, or anchoring details suited to desert soils and possible expansive-clay movement.
- Manufacturer specifications and anchoring details for prefabricated or kit sheds.
- Historic Preservation Office Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness if the property is in an HP overlay.
- HOA approval documentation if required by subdivision CC&Rs.
- Homeowner authorization if a contractor files on behalf of the owner.
Process
How the permit process works
Sequential — each step gates the next.
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Determine whether a building permit is required A one-story shed 200 square feet or less with no electrical or plumbing is generally exempt from Phoenix's building permit requirement under IRC § R105.2. Sheds over 200 sq ft, multi-story, or with utilities require a permit. Electrical and plumbing permits are always required whenever applicable.
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Verify zoning setbacks, height, and lot coverage Confirm the shed fits Phoenix zoning rules for your parcel. The core checks are side and rear setbacks, front-yard avoidance, height, lot coverage, and easements under the Phoenix zoning framework.
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Check for historic preservation and overlay districts If the property is in a Historic Preservation (HP) overlay, apply for a Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Office before building.
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Prepare plans and site plan Draft a site plan and shed drawings. For larger or permanent sheds, include foundation and anchoring details that fit Phoenix soil conditions. Frost depth is usually not the issue here; soil movement, drainage, and anchorage are.
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Submit through SHAPE PHX Apply for the residential building permit through SHAPE PHX / Phoenix e-permits. Include electrical and plumbing sub-permits if applicable.
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Respond to plan review comments Respond promptly to Phoenix plan review and zoning comments. Resubmit revised plans through the portal.
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Pay fees and receive permit Pay the building permit and sub-permit fees once approved. Download and post the permit at the jobsite. Do not begin permitted work before issuance.
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Schedule and pass inspections Request inspections at required stages — typically foundation, framing, and final — via SHAPE PHX. Electrical and plumbing sub-permits have their own inspection stages.
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Close out the permit After final inspection passes, the permit is closed. Retain records for homeowners insurance, title review, and future resale.
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Tools & materials
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Provenance
Code basis & official sources
Last verified 2026-04-19.
2018 International Residential Code (IRC) with Phoenix amendments under the 2018 Phoenix Building Construction Code; Phoenix Zoning Ordinance accessory-structure standards for setbacks, height, and yard placement; Phoenix Planning & Development residential permit review procedures.
Residential permit page: https://apps-secure.phoenix.gov/PDD/Home/Index/
If you skip the permit
- Phoenix Planning & Development / Neighborhood Services can issue a stop-work order for unpermitted shed construction.
- Civil penalties and double permit fees can apply for after-the-fact permits.
- An after-the-fact permit may require opening finished work to verify foundation, framing, or utility installations.
- Unpermitted electrical or plumbing work creates safety hazards and may void insurance coverage.
- Unpermitted sheds in setback areas or easements can become deal-breakers in a real-estate transaction and may need to be removed at the seller's expense.
- Historic Preservation violations can result in fines and mandatory alteration or removal orders.
- HOA deed-restriction violations can result in civil actions independent of city enforcement.
FAQ
Common Phoenix shed permit questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Phoenix, AZ?
Usually not if the shed is one story, 200 square feet or less, and has no electrical or plumbing. Above that threshold, or with utilities, Phoenix permits are required. Permit-exempt sheds still must satisfy Phoenix zoning placement rules.
What is the maximum shed size without a permit in Phoenix?
Up to 200 square feet, one story, with no electrical or plumbing. Above that threshold — or with any utilities — a building permit is required. Zoning compliance is required regardless of size.
What are the setback requirements for a shed in Phoenix?
Phoenix setback rules come from the zoning ordinance and the underlying residential district. The practical rule is to keep the shed out of the front yard, respect side and rear setbacks for the parcel, stay under the accessory-structure height cap, and avoid easements. Confirm the exact district standards before pouring a slab or ordering a kit.
Does adding electricity to my shed require a permit?
Yes. Any electrical wiring to or inside a shed — including a single lighting circuit — requires an electrical permit pulled by a licensed electrician, regardless of shed size or building-permit status.
Does adding plumbing to my shed require a permit?
Yes. Any plumbing fixture such as a hose bib, sink, or toilet requires a plumbing permit pulled by a licensed plumber, independent of the shed's building permit status.
How much does a shed permit cost in Phoenix?
Phoenix calculates residential building permit fees from project valuation, so city fees for a permitted shed over 200 sq ft typically run $150–$500, plus a plan review fee of about 65% of the building permit fee. Electrical and plumbing permits add roughly $75–$200 each. Verify current rates on the Phoenix PDD fee schedule.
How long does it take to get a shed permit in Phoenix?
Plan review typically runs 10–15 business days for a residential accessory structure, with total project timing of about 3–5 weeks from application through final inspection. Simple, compliant projects may qualify for over-the-counter review.
Can I place a shed in my front yard in Phoenix?
Generally no. Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 608 and the underlying single-family residential district rules require detached accessory structures to be placed in the rear or side yard, outside the required front-yard setback. Check your district's specific rules before placing a shed.
Does Phoenix frost depth matter for a shed foundation?
Not much. Phoenix is an arid-climate city, so frost depth is usually not the design issue for a backyard shed. The more relevant questions are anchorage, drainage, and whether the site has expansive or movement-prone soils that make slab or pier details more important.
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Disclaimer: Informational only — not legal advice. Rules change; verify with Phoenix permitting staff before you build.