Do I need a permit for a shed in Brunswick, Maine?
Usually yes, with a Building Permit from the Code Enforcement Officer if the shed is subject to the state building code. In Growth Residential districts a shed can sit as close as 10 feet to the rear and side lot lines (3 feet from a side line for a one-story shed on a lot narrower than 80 feet); in other districts the minimum is 5 feet, and a shed can never be closer to the street than the house's front setback.
| Setback, Growth Residential districts | 10 ft from rear and side lot lines [3] |
| Side setback, Growth Residential lots under 80 ft wide | 3 ft for structures up to one story [3] |
| Setback, all other districts | 5 ft from rear and side lot lines [3] |
| In rear setback (non-GR districts) | Max 15 ft tall and 10% of the rear setback area [2] |
| Front yard | Not closer to the street than the principal building's front setback [4] |
| Sheds over 600 sq ft (Growth Areas) | Must be farther back on the lot than the house [5] |
| Permit | Building Permit from the Code Enforcement Officer for structures subject to MUBEC [1] |
Permit
Brunswick requires a Building Permit before any building or structure subject to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code is erected, moved, added to or structurally altered; applications go to the Code Enforcement Officer [1]. The zoning ordinance doesn't set its own size threshold for small sheds, so whether a small shed is exempt depends on the building code. Ask Codes before you build.
Setbacks
Sheds and other accessory structures may encroach into required side and rear setbacks under special rules [2][3]:
- Growth Residential districts: at least 10 feet from rear and side lot lines. On lots narrower than 80 feet, a structure of no more than one story can be as close as 3 feet to a side lot line [3].
- All other districts: at least 5 feet from rear and side lot lines [3].
- Outside Growth Residential districts: an accessory structure in the rear setback can be no taller than 15 feet and can cover no more than 10% of the rear setback area [2].
Location and size
No shed or other accessory structure may sit closer to the street than the minimum front setback for the house [4]. A shed, garage or other accessory structure with a footprint over 600 square feet must be farther back on the lot than the house in all Growth Area districts; in Rural Area districts, if it sits in front of the house it must be set back at least twice the minimum front setback [5]. We found no separate maximum shed size; district lot-coverage limits still apply.
Village Review Zone and shoreland
In the Village Review Zone, placing a shed in a rear yard not visible from a public right-of-way is a Minor Activity handled by staff review for a Certificate of Appropriateness [6]. On waterfront lots, the Shoreland Protection Overlay's water setbacks and 20% non-vegetated surface limit apply.
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Next steps
- Find your zoning district (Growth Residential, other Growth Area, or Rural) on the town zoning map.
- Site the shed at least 10 ft from side and rear lines in GR districts (3 ft on a side line for a one-story shed on a lot under 80 ft wide), or 5 ft elsewhere, and behind the front setback.
- Apply to the Code Enforcement Officer (Planning & Development, 207-725-6660) for a Building Permit with a scaled plot plan showing the lot, existing buildings and the shed's location and dimensions.
- If you're in the Village Review Zone or Shoreland Protection Overlay, ask staff about the Certificate of Appropriateness or shoreland review first.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Brunswick, Maine?
- Usually yes. A Building Permit from the Code Enforcement Officer is required if the shed is subject to the state building code. The zoning ordinance sets no size threshold for small sheds, so ask Codes before you build.
- How close to the property line can I build a shed in Brunswick, Maine?
- In Growth Residential districts, at least 10 feet from rear and side lot lines, or 3 feet from a side line for a one-story shed on a lot narrower than 80 feet. In other districts the minimum is 5 feet.
- How close to the street can a shed be in Brunswick, Maine?
- No closer than the minimum front setback for the house. A shed over 600 square feet must be farther back than the house in all Growth Area districts.
- Are there special shed rules in Brunswick's Village Review Zone or shoreland?
- Yes. In the Village Review Zone, a shed in a rear yard not visible from a public right-of-way is a Minor Activity handled by staff review. On waterfront lots, the Shoreland Protection Overlay's water setbacks and 20% non-vegetated surface limit apply.
Maine building code and shoreland rules for sheds
Building code (MUBEC): The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code adopts the 2021 International Residential Code, effective April 7, 2025. It must be enforced in towns with more than 4,000 residents. Smaller towns may choose to enforce it, but they can't adopt any other building code.
- Maine's version of the code says building permits are required "where required by municipal ordinance," and towns can exempt more work from permits.
- The residential code exempts small one-story detached accessory buildings from a building permit. Under the IRC that means up to 200 sq ft.
- Being exempt from a building permit doesn't exempt you from zoning. Setbacks, lot coverage and any land-use permit still apply. Check with your code officer.
Shoreland zone: A shed is a "structure" under the state shoreland rules, so it must meet the water setbacks: generally 100 ft from GPA great ponds and 75 ft from other waters and wetlands. It also counts toward the 20% lot-coverage cap. On a small nonconforming lot where a shed can't meet the setback, the code officer may allow one shed up to 80 sq ft and 8 ft tall, with no utilities. It has to be as far from the water as practical and never closer than the house.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 5.2.1.A(1), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
No building or other structure subject to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code adopted by the Town shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered without first obtaining a Building Permit.
- Sec. 4.2.5.B(4)e.i, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
With the exception of Growth Residential Zoning Districts, swimming pools, tennis courts, garages, storage sheds, and other structures accessory to a residential use may be located in a rear setback provided the structure does not exceed 15 feet in height and does not occupy more than ten (10) percent of the area of the rear setback, including the areas where the rear and side setback overlap.
- Sec. 4.2.5.B(4)e.ii, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
In Growth Residential Zoning Districts, swimming pools, tennis courts, garages, storage sheds, and other accessory structures may be located no less than ten (10) feet to rear or side lot lines. For lots with a lot width of less than 80 feet, structures not exceeding one (1) story in height may be located no less than three (3) feet to side lot lines. In all other districts, swimming pools, tennis courts, garages, storage sheds, and other accessory structures may be located no less than five (5) feet to rear or side lot lines.
- Sec. 4.2.5.B(4)e.iii, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
No swimming pool, tennis court, garage, storage shed, or other accessory structure shall be located closer to the street than the minimum front setback required for a principal building, excepting fences, gates, mailboxes, newspaper receptacles, signs, bus stop shelters, sand storage bins, and similar roadside structures with a footprint less than 100 square feet, as well as ornamental structures such as entry pillars and statues shall be permitted.
- Sec. 4.2.5.B(4)e.iv, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
Any swimming pool, tennis court, garage, storage shed, or other accessory structure with a footprint greater than 600 square feet shall be located further to the rear of the lot than the principal structure in all Growth Area zoning districts. In Rural Area zoning districts, if any swimming pool, tennis court, garage, storage shed, or other accessory structure with a footprint greater than 600 square feet is located in front of the principal building, it shall be set back from the street at least twice the minimum front setback requirement.
- Sec. 5.2.8.B(3)b (Village Review Overlay, Minor Activities - Staff Review), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
Placement of sheds or other outbuildings, fences or dumpsters located in rear yards not visible from a public right-of-way;