Do you need a permit for a pergola, play set, or carport in Washington, DC?
It depends on the details of your project.
Swings and playground equipment at a house are exempt from the building permit.
Pergolas, gazebos and carports aren't on DC's exemption list, so they need a permit.
A carport counts toward lot occupancy like any other accessory building.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.
Check your exact lot
Your zoning district sets the setbacks, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a pergola, play set, or carport can need in Washington
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | DC permits almost all construction. Only playground equipment and a single shed of 50 sq ft or less are exempt.Medium confidence |
| Electrical permit | Lights, fans or outlets need an electrical permit.Medium confidence |
| Floodplain development permit | Structures in a FEMA special flood hazard area need a floodplain permit. |
| Historic Preservation Office review | On a landmark or in a historic district every permit exemption falls away, and HPO reviews exterior work visible from a street before DOB issues the permit. |
Limits that apply citywide
| Accessory building limits | Roofed structures follow the accessory building rules: 22 ft and 2 stories, 3 ft side and 5 ft rear from neighboring lots in R zonesMedium confidence |
|---|
Local details
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
How to apply
Common questions
- When does a pergola, play set, or carport need a building permit in Washington?
- DC permits almost all construction. Only playground equipment and a single shed of 50 sq ft or less are exempt. Swings and other playground equipment at a one- or two-family house are exempt outside historic districts.
- Where do I apply for a pergola, play set, or carport permit in Washington?
- Apply through Department of Buildings, or call (202) 671-3500.
Sources
- DC Department of Buildings, How to get a permit. Checked 2026-10-20
Unless you are in a historic district, the following work does not require a building permit: ... Replacement in-kind of ... Private sidewalks and driveways; Patios ... Single garden storage shed that does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2) in area and is …
- 2024 IRC R105.2, Work exempt from permit (text published by the City of Benson, AZ). Checked 2026-10-19
One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Fences not over 7 feet high. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a…
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- DC Office of Planning, Historic Preservation Office, permit review. Checked 2026-10-21
[The Historic Preservation Review Board, staffed by HPO,] reviews construction affecting those properties [landmarks and properties in historic districts].
- DC Zoning Regulations, accessory buildings (11-D §§ 5000-5005, 11-E §§ 5000-5005), as amended by ZC Case 25-12. Checked 2026-10-20
Accessory buildings: 22 ft and 2 stories; footprint the greater of 30% of the required rear yard or 650 sq ft (R-1, R-2) / 550 sq ft (R-3, RF); not in the required rear yard except a shed; 7.5 ft from the centerline of any alley; in R zones 3 ft from a side…