Sheds and garages across the DC area
Where can a shed or garage go? The rules differ at every jurisdiction line. Here is the short answer for each.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.
| Where | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | Only a single 50 sq ft garden shed skips the permit. Accessory buildings are capped at 22 ft and 2 stories, sit 3 ft from side and 5 ft from rear lines shared with other lots, and garages can't go in the required rear yard without a special exception. |
| Montgomery County, MD | Every shed needs a permit in Montgomery County, whatever its size. Accessory buildings stay behind the house and meet the zone's accessory setbacks. |
| Prince George's County, MD | One shed under 150 sq ft is exempt. Accessory structures stay out of the front yard and corner side yard, and structures over 10 ft step back 1 ft from side and rear lines for each foot over 10 ft. |
| Alexandria, VA | In a required yard, sheds are limited to 100 sq ft total and 10 ft tall (65 sq ft and 8 ft in historic districts). Freestanding garages behind the house have their own size and setback rules. |
| Arlington County, VA | Sheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit. Accessory building height, size and setbacks come from ACZO § 3.2.6.A.2. |
| Fairfax County, VA | A shed up to 8.5 ft tall can sit anywhere in a side or rear yard. 8.5 to 12 ft needs 5 ft from the lines. Taller needs the district side setback and a rear setback equal to its height. Accessory buildings are capped at 20 ft tall and 50% of the house's floor area on lots of 36,000 sq ft or less. |
Towns and cities inside these counties (for example, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bowie, Laurel, Herndon, Vienna, and Falls Church) have their own rules.