Washington County, OR: backyard pod and shed permit line

The county answers its own FAQ in one line: if it is habitable, it needs a permit. The size and height numbers match Portland's 200 sq ft and 15 ft.

“Non-habitable one-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) and does not exceed a height of 15 feet”

From Washington County Land Use & Transportation, Building Services, read Nov 5, 2026.

The conditions, one by one

Size line	200 sq ft or less
Measured as	floor area
Height	15 ft or less, grade plane to the average height of the highest roof
Power	Not covered on this page.
Use	“If it is habitable, it needs a permit.”

Size line

200 sq ft or less

Measured as

floor area

Height

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

Power

Not covered on this page.

Use

“If it is habitable, it needs a permit.”

Also on the page

The page lists an exception for parcels of 2 acres or more

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

Second check

Same 200 sq ft / 15 ft wording as Portland's page (same state code, Oregon).

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.