Portland, OR: backyard pod and shed permit line

Portland measures area from the inside face of the outside walls, which means wall thickness does not count against you. The height cap is 15 ft, taken to the average height of the highest roof. Any electrical, plumbing or heating and cooling work needs a trade permit, even when the building itself is exempt.

“Non-habitable structures 200 square feet or smaller. A building permit is not needed, but you may need a zoning permit.”

From Portland Permitting & Development, read Nov 5, 2026.

The conditions, one by one

Size line	200 sq ft or less
Measured as	floor area measured from the interior of exterior walls
Height	15 ft or less, measured from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof
Power	Electrical, plumbing, or heating and cooling work needs trade permits.
Use	Exemption is for non-habitable structures.

Size line

200 sq ft or less

Measured as

floor area measured from the interior of exterior walls

Height

15 ft or less, measured from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof

Power

Electrical, plumbing, or heating and cooling work needs trade permits.

Use

Exemption is for non-habitable structures.

Also on the page

A zoning permit may still be needed
Erosion control measures are required

Pod sizes against this line

33 of 36 pod sizes are inside the 200 sq ft line by floor area. 3 are over.

Autonomous MetroPod: 80 sq ft
Autonomous WorkPod: 102 sq ft
Autonomous StudioPod: 105 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 10 ft: 80 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 16 ft: 128 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 10 ft: 100 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 14 ft: 140 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 16 ft: 160 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 20 ft: 200 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 12 ft: 144 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 16 ft: 128 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 14 ft: 140 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 16 ft: 160 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 12 ft: 144 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft

3 of those ship pre-wired (Autonomous). The rule names power, so the wiring condition applies to them even though the size fits.

Second check

Portland Building Official Determination 21-05 (habitable vs non-habitable accessory structures) exists as a separate city document; not read in full.

This page repeats the published rule and does the arithmetic on published sizes. Zoning, HOA rules and setbacks can still block a building the permit rule allows. Ask the office above before you order.