15 local permit lines for small backyard buildings
Every row below comes from the city or county's own page or code, read Nov 5, 2026. Click a place for the full quote, the conditions, and the list of pod sizes that fit inside its line.
| Place | Line | Height in the rule | Use in the rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 120 sq ft | single story | Exemption only for a shed 'only used for storage, growing plants, or similar generally unoccupied uses.' | Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) |
| Portland, OR | 200 sq ft | 15 ft or less, measured from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof | Exemption is for non-habitable structures. | Portland Permitting & Development |
| Washington County, OR | 200 sq ft | 15 ft or less, grade plane to the average height of the highest roof | “If it is habitable, it needs a permit.” | Washington County Land Use & Transportation |
| Denver, CO | 200 sq ft | 8 ft top plate height and 14 ft to any point, measured from the lowest adjacent grade | Exemption covers one-story, detached, non-conditioned buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses. | Denver Community Planning and Development |
| Austin, TX | 200 sq ft | 15 ft or less | Must not create a dwelling. | Austin Development Services Department |
| Phoenix, AZ | 200 sq ft | one story | Tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses (commentary adds ramadas and gazebos). | City of Phoenix Planning and Development (Phoenix Building Construction Code |
| Los Angeles, CA | 120 sq ft | one story | Tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses. | Los Angeles Municipal Code |
| San Jose, CA | 120 sq ft | not stated on the page | Not stated on the page. | City of San Jose Development Services Permit Center |
| San Francisco, CA | 120 sq ft | not more than 10 ft, measured from yard grade to the top of the roof; one story | Exemption is limited to a non-habitable shed used for general storage (garden tools and children's playhouses also allowed). The FAQ says habitable uses such as offices need a building permit. | San Francisco Department of Building Inspection |
| Oakland, CA | 120 sq ft | generally 15 ft maximum | A bedroom or full bathroom rules out the setback waiver. | City of Oakland Planning and Building |
| San Mateo (city), CA | 120 sq ft | height limits in the rear third of the lot come from the Planning Division | Not stated. | City of San Mateo Building Division |
| San Mateo County (unincorporated), CA | 120 sq ft | 12 ft above grade or less | Tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses. | San Mateo County Planning and Building |
| Citrus Heights, CA | 120 sq ft | one story; setback 5 ft for buildings up to 16 ft tall in the rear yard | Structures used for living space need a permit. | City of Citrus Heights Building and Safety |
| Sacramento County (unincorporated), CA | 120 sq ft | under 9 ft may sit on the property line; 9 to 12 ft must be 5 ft from the property line; measured to the highest part of the roof | Shall not be used for human habitation. | Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection |
| Raleigh, NC | permit always | part of the 12 ft test | Not stated. | City of Raleigh |
Why these 15
They are the places where the building office publishes the rule as plain text that can be quoted and linked. Places where the only clear answer came from a third-party permit site were left out. The list skews to the West Coast because California, Oregon and Washington offices publish the most detail.
Not on the list yet: San Diego (the county zoning form read covers setbacks, not the permit line), Nashville, Minneapolis, Houston and Chicago. Suggestions with an official link are welcome at support@yardpodcheck.com.