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SetbackIQ

Sample report · a real lot, house number withheld

Shed in Bethesda, MD 20816

Rules from Montgomery County, MDZoning R-60 (Residential, one-family detached)FEMA flood zone X (minimal hazard)Lot 9,066 sq ftHistoric district: no

The project: 10-by-12-foot storage shed on skids, 10 ft tall, no power, 6 ft from the side line and 8 ft from the rear line. Map data as returned on 2026-10-26; the rules are applied live from the current Montgomery County rule pack.

Rules for R-60 Residential, one-family detached

LocationRear yard only, at least 60 ft from the front line
Side setback5 ft
Rear setback5 ft (10 ft on a corner lot when the neighbor faces the side street)
Height20 ft to the highest point
Long or tall structures+2 ft of setback per 2 ft of length over 24 ft, and per 1 ft of height over 15 ft
Lot coverage35% including accessory buildings (lower for infill lots)

Placement check

  • Passes: Side setback. Meets this standard.
  • Passes: Rear setback. Meets this standard.
  • Passes: Height. Meets this standard.

Good to know

  • Single-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less need only an application and a site plan drawn from a boundary survey. Bigger or multi-story sheds need construction plans.
  • Sheds must be anchored against wind (15 lb/sq ft lateral load).
  • 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.

What to do next

  1. Mark the spot. Measure from the lot lines, not the fence or the curb, and keep the shed inside the setbacks above. If you are not sure where the line is, a boundary survey settles it.
  2. Gather your documents. Permit desks usually ask for a site plan and basic construction details. The list below is typical; your permit office’s own checklist wins.
  3. Apply for the building permit. File with DPS eServices. Keep the permit number; inspectors ask for it. DPS eServices
  4. Book the inspections. Don’t cover footings, framing or wiring until the inspector has seen them. Keep the approved plans on site.
  5. Call 811 before you dig. Utility locating is free. Call at least a few business days before you dig post holes or footings. Call 811 (call811.com)
  6. Check your HOA. Covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules, and the city does not enforce them for you.

Building permit, zoning or historic review?

  • Needed hereBuilding permitChecks how the structure is built: footings, framing, anchoring, stairs and guards. An inspector visits during construction.
  • Not flagged for this lotZoning reviewChecks where the structure sits and how big it is: setbacks, height, lot coverage and use. In some places it is part of the building permit review; in others it is a separate permit you get first.
  • Not flagged for this lotHistoric reviewChecks how the work looks and whether it fits the historic district. You usually need this approval before the building permit is issued, and it can add weeks.

Documents to gather

  • Site plan showing the shed and its distance to each lot line and to the house
  • Shed size, height and foundation (skids, slab or piers)
  • Manufacturer drawings or spec sheet if it is a kit or prefab shed

From Montgomery County, MD’s own pages:

  • Single-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less need only an application and a site plan drawn from a boundary survey. Bigger or multi-story sheds need construction plans.

This list is what permit desks usually ask for. Your permit office’s own checklist wins.

Where to apply

Sources

  1. Montgomery County DPS, Building Permit Guidelines for Sheds in Residential Zones (rev. 7/14/2026). Checked 2026-10-19
  2. 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19
  3. 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19
  4. 2024 IRC R105.2, Work exempt from permit (text published by the City of Benson, AZ). Checked 2026-10-19
  5. Montgomery County DPS, R-60 Zone Development Standards (Sec. 4.4.9, guidance). Checked 2026-10-19

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.

Now check your own lot

Or browse the Montgomery County permit page.