Do you need a permit for a shed in Alexandria, VA?
It depends on size and placement.
Sheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit under Virginia's code.
A shed in a required yard is limited to 100 sq ft in total and 10 ft tall (65 sq ft and 8 ft in the historic districts).
Where a neighbor's house has low windows near the line, the shed needs 5 ft from it.
Rules last checked by a person on October 20, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Alexandria before you build.
Check your exact lot
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a shed can need in Alexandria
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Virginia's building code exempts only one-story detached sheds up to 256 sq ft. |
| Floodplain development permit | In a FEMA special flood hazard area, development needs a floodplain permit, and the building official may require a building permit even for an exempt shed. |
| Electrical permit | Wiring a shed needs an electrical permit even when the shed is exempt.Confidence: medium |
Limits that apply citywide
| In a required yard | 100 sq ft total and 10 ft tall (outside historic districts) |
|---|---|
| In a historic district | 65 sq ft and 8 ft tall |
| Front yard | Not allowed |
| Near a neighbor's low windows | 5 ft from the shared lot line |
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
Questions people ask
- When does a shed need a building permit in Alexandria?
- Virginia's building code exempts only one-story detached sheds up to 256 sq ft. One-story detached sheds up to 256 sq ft need no building permit (Virginia USBC 108.2). Zoning and, in historic districts, BAR rules still apply.
- Where do I apply for a shed permit in Alexandria?
- Apply through APEX permit portal, or call 703-746-4200.
Sources
- Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2, Exemptions from application for permit. Checked 2026-10-20.
2. One story detached structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, provided the building area does not exceed 256 square feet... 5. Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety as provided for by Section 3306 or used…
- 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...
- City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance § 7-103, accessory building limitations (Municode, Supp. 103). Checked 2026-10-20.
(B) No accessory building, use or structure shall be located in a required front, rear, or side yard, except as provided in section 7-202... (E) Outside of the Old and Historic Alexandria and the Parker-Gray Districts, if a principal dwelling on an abutting…