Do I need a permit for a shed in Burlington, Massachusetts?
Yes. Sheds, barns and similar structures are allowed by right in Burlington's RO single-family district. In RO, a shed can't go in the required front yard (25 ft) or side yards (15 ft), accessory uses can cover no more than 20% of the rear yard, and accessory buildings are capped at 20 feet tall.
| Allowed in RO | Yes, by right (special permit in RC) [1] |
| Location in RO | Not in the required front or side yards [2] |
| Max share of rear yard | 20% of the rear yard (all accessory uses combined) [2] |
| Max height (RO) | 20 feet [3] |
| RO required front / side / rear yard | 25 ft / 15 ft / 15 ft [4] |
| Greenhouses | Allowed up to 250 sq ft, non-commercial [5] |
| Floodplain overlay | Town permit required for sheds [6] |
These rules come from the zoning bylaw as consolidated through January 2025 and may have changed since.
Allowed by right
Burlington's accessory use schedule lists "Sheds, Barns, and Similar Structures" as YES in the RO One-Family and RG districts and by special permit in RC [1]. A non-commercial greenhouse up to 250 sq ft is a separate accessory use, also allowed by right in RO [5].
Where it can go
Section 5.1.3.3 says that in RO districts no accessory use may occupy any part of the required front or side yards, and accessory uses can take up no more than 20% of the rear yard [2]. The RO column of the density schedule sets a 25-foot minimum front yard and 15-foot minimum side and rear yards [4]. The bylaw defines the rear yard as the whole open space between the back of the house and the rear lot line, so the 20% cap applies to that entire backyard area. In practice, a shed belongs behind the house, at least 15 feet from the side lot lines.
The bylaw doesn't state a separate minimum distance from the rear lot line for accessory buildings. Section 5.1.3.3 bars accessory uses only from the front and side yards, but the density schedule's preamble says no structure may be built except in conformance with its front, side and rear setbacks, which could be read to require 15 feet from the rear line too. Confirm with the Building Department how close to the rear line a shed may sit. A January 2026 amendment clarifying the "setback" definition is not in our copy of the bylaw.
Height and size
Accessory buildings in RO may be no more than 20 feet tall [3]. Building height is measured from the mean finished grade to the roof (mid-point between eaves and ridge for gable roofs). The 20% rear-yard limit is the main size control. Accessory uses inside a building are separately capped at 25% of the principal building's floor area.
Permits
The zoning text doesn't set a shed permit threshold. Under the state building code, a one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less generally doesn't need a building permit, but zoning placement rules still apply. Any shed in the floodplain overlay needs a town permit [6], and sheds within 100 feet of a wetland need Conservation Commission review.
See how Burlington compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on sheds & accessory buildings →
Next steps
- Measure your lot: place the shed behind the house, outside the 25-ft front and 15-ft side yards, using no more than 20% of the rear yard.
- Keep the shed under 20 feet tall.
- If it's over 200 sq ft or has electricity, apply for a building permit with the Building Department (781-270-1615); ask them to confirm the rear-line distance.
- If the site is in the floodplain overlay or within 100 feet of a wetland, contact the Conservation Commission before building.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Burlington, Massachusetts?
- It depends on size. The zoning text sets no shed permit threshold, but under the state building code a one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less generally doesn't need a building permit. Zoning placement rules still apply, and sheds in the floodplain overlay need a town permit.
- How close to the property line can a shed be in Burlington, Massachusetts?
- In the RO district, a shed can't go in the required 25-foot front yard or 15-foot side yards. The bylaw doesn't clearly set a rear-line distance and could be read to require 15 feet, so confirm with the Building Department.
- How tall can a shed be in Burlington, Massachusetts?
- Accessory buildings in the RO district may be no more than 20 feet tall, measured from the mean finished grade to the roof (the mid-point between eaves and ridge for gable roofs).
- How big can a shed be in Burlington, Massachusetts?
- The main size control is that accessory uses, combined, can cover no more than 20% of the rear yard in the RO district. These rules come from the zoning bylaw as consolidated through January 2025 and may have changed since.
Massachusetts building code rules for sheds
The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR, 10th edition) sets when a shed needs a building permit. Your town's zoning sets where it can go.
- No building permit needed for a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar, if the floor area is 200 sq ft or less (Residential Code R105.2).
- Bigger sheds, or any with more than one story, need a building permit from your local building department.
- Also exempt from a building permit: detached decks of 200 sq ft or less that are no more than 30 inches above grade, and greenhouses covered only in plastic film.
- The exemption covers only the building permit. Electrical, plumbing or gas work in the shed still needs its own permits, and the shed still has to meet local zoning (setbacks, lot coverage, height). Many towns set accessory-structure setbacks even for small sheds.
- Wetlands: putting a shed in a wetland resource area or within 100 feet of a wetland (or 200 feet of a river) may require Conservation Commission approval first, whatever its size.
The 10th edition took effect October 11, 2024 and has been the only code in force since July 1, 2025.
What the bylaw says
- §4.3.1.13 Accessory Use Regulation Schedule, Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 50
Sheds, Barns, and Similar 4.3.1.13 Structures YES YES SP NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO SP YES YES YES1 YES1 YES1
- §5.1.3.3, Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 59
5.1.3.3 In RO districts, no accessory use or uses shall occupy part of the required front or side yards and not more than twenty (20) percent of the rear yard, other than required off-street parking.
- §5.1.3.5, Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 59
5.1.3.5 In RO districts, no accessory building shall be more than twenty (20) feet in height.
- §5.2.0 Density Regulation Schedule (RO column), Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 62
Minimum Front Yard 25 ft Minimum Side Yard 15 ft Minimum Rear Yard 15 ft
- §4.3.1.9 Accessory Use Regulation Schedule, Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 50
Greenhouse (limited to 250 sq. 4.3.1.9 ft. and not used for YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES SP YES YES YES YES YES commercial purposes)
- §8.1.4 Permitted Land Uses (Floodplain District), Burlington Zoning Bylaws (as amended through January 2025, pending AG approval at posting), p. 89
The Town of Burlington requires a permit for all proposed construction or other development in the floodplain overlay district, including new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement of agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties.