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Do I need a permit for a shed in Canton, Massachusetts?

Canton, Norfolk County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-20 · Reviewed · 13 cited sections

Depends on your zone

A one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less needs no building permit in Canton, but it must still meet zoning. In the SRB, SRC and GR districts it must be 5 ft from side and rear lot lines, and in SRAA and SRA 20 ft. It can be no taller than 15 ft and, on lots under 3 acres, can't sit in the front yard. On lots under 1/2 acre, each accessory building is capped at 800 sq ft, with no more than 3 and 1,000 sq ft total.

Building permit thresholdNone for 1-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less [1]
Side/rear setback (SRB, SRC, GR)5 ft [2]
Side/rear setback (SRAA, SRA)20 ft [2]
Front setback60 / 40 / 30 / 30 / 30 ft (SRAA / SRA / SRB / SRC / GR) [3]
Max height15 ft [4]
Front yardNot allowed in the required front yard on lots under 3 acres [5]
Size limitNo larger or taller than the house [6]
Lot under 1/2 acre800 sq ft each, max 3 structures, 1,000 sq ft total [7]
Lot 1/2 to 1 acre1,000 sq ft each, max 4 structures, 1,000 sq ft total [8]
Lot 1 to 3 acres1,500 sq ft each, max 4 structures, 2,000 sq ft total [9]

Do you need a permit?

The Building Division issues permits for accessory sheds. It lists a "1-story detached accessory structure in which the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet" as work that needs no building permit [1]. Bigger sheds, or any with a second story, need one. Electrical work still needs its own permit. Zoning rules apply either way. The Zoning Enforcement Officer reviews shed, pool and pool-house locations against the setbacks, using a certified plot plan [11].

Setbacks and height

Zoning sets separate setbacks for non-dwelling accessory structures in the residence districts [2]. Side and rear setbacks are 20 ft in SRAA and SRA and 5 ft in SRB, SRC and GR. Front setbacks are 60 ft (SRAA), 40 ft (SRA) and 30 ft (SRB, SRC, GR) [3]. Maximum height is 15 ft [4]. On lots under three acres, no freestanding accessory structure may be in the required front yard [5]. No accessory structure may be larger or taller than the house [6]. Sheds and similar storage buildings are allowed by right in the SR and GR districts [10].

Size and number caps by lot size

Section 4.1.6(3)(e) limits residential accessory buildings. Its table gives, for each lot size, the largest single building, the most buildings allowed, and the most total floor area:

  • Under 1/2 acre: each no larger than 800 sq ft, at most 3, and 1,000 sq ft total [7]
  • 1/2 to 1 acre: each up to 1,000 sq ft, at most 4, and 1,000 sq ft total [8]
  • 1 to 3 acres: each up to 1,500 sq ft, at most 4, and 2,000 sq ft total [9]
  • 3+ acres: smaller than the house, any yard; lot coverage applies

Ground-mounted solar is exempt from the footprint limits. Historic accessory buildings don't count toward the total.

Wetlands and floodplain

A shed within 100 ft of a wetland or 200 ft of a river or stream needs a Conservation Commission permit [12], and Canton's wetlands regulations bar new structures within 30 ft of wetlands and banks (see Building Near the Water). Sheds in the floodplain overlay district also need a permit [13].

See how Canton compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on sheds & accessory buildings →

Next steps

  1. Find your zoning district (SRAA, SRA, SRB, SRC or GR) and lot size on the town GIS or by asking the Building Department.
  2. Count your existing accessory buildings and their square footage against the cap for your lot size.
  3. Bring a certified plot plan showing the shed location and setbacks to the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Building Department, 801 Washington St. (781-821-5003).
  4. If the shed is over 200 sq ft or more than one story, apply for a building permit through Canton Online Permitting.
  5. If the site is within 100 ft of a wetland or in a flood zone, check with the Conservation Commission first.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a shed in Canton, Massachusetts?
Not for a one-story detached shed of 200 sq ft or less, but bigger sheds or any with a second story need a building permit. Zoning still applies either way, and the Zoning Enforcement Officer reviews shed locations using a certified plot plan.
How close to the property line can a shed be in Canton, MA?
It varies by zone. Sheds must be 5 ft from side and rear lot lines in SRB, SRC and GR, and 20 ft in SRAA and SRA. On lots under 3 acres a shed can't sit in the required front yard.
How big can a shed be in Canton, Massachusetts?
It depends on lot size. Under 1/2 acre, each accessory building is capped at 800 sq ft, with at most 3 and 1,000 sq ft total; 1/2 to 1 acre, 1,000 sq ft each, 4 buildings, 1,000 sq ft total; 1 to 3 acres, 1,500 sq ft each, 4 buildings, 2,000 sq ft total. Sheds are capped at 15 ft tall and can't be bigger than the house.
Can I put a shed near a wetland in Canton, MA?
Only with approval. A shed within 100 ft of a wetland or 200 ft of a river or stream needs a Conservation Commission permit, and Canton's wetlands regulations bar new structures within 30 ft of wetlands and banks. Sheds in the floodplain overlay district also need a permit.

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.

State sources: 780 CMR 10th ed., Residential Chapter 1, R105.2 (work exempt from permit) · BBRS, Tenth edition of the MA State Building Code 780 · MassDEP, Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts

What the bylaw says

Exact text from Canton's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Building Division, Does Not Require a Permit, Building Division (permits issued; work not requiring a permit), p. 1
    1-story detached accessory structure in which the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet
  2. §4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements - Residence Districts (Accessory Structures), Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 33
    Rear Yard Setbacks 20’ 20’ 5’ 5’ 5’ Side Yard Setbacks 20’ 20’ 5’ 5’ 5’
  3. §4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements - Residence Districts (Accessory Structures), Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 33
    Accessory Structures (Non-Dwelling) REQUIRED SRAA SRA SRB SRC GR Front Yard Setbacks 60’ 40’ 30’ 30’ 30’
  4. §4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements - Residence Districts (Accessory Structures), Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 33
    Maximum Height 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’
  5. §4.1.6(3)(b) Accessory Structures on Residential Lots, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 35
    On lots less than three acres, no freestanding accessory structure shall occupy part of the required Front Yard.
  6. §4.1.6(3)(c) Accessory Structures on Residential Lots, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 35
    In no case shall an accessory structure be allowed that is larger in size or height than the principal building.
  7. §4.1.6(3)(e) accessory building size table, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 35
    Less than ½ acre | No greater than 800 sq. ft. | 3 | 1,000 s.f.
  8. §4.1.6(3)(e) accessory building size table, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 35
    ½ an acre to 1 acre | No greater than 1000 sq. ft. | 4 | 1,000 s.f.
  9. §4.1.6(3)(e) accessory building size table, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 35
    1 acre to 3 acres | No greater than 1,500 sq. ft. | 4 | 2,000 s.f.
  10. Attachment A, Table of Use Regulations, J. Accessory Uses - Cont'd, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 24
    Greenhouse, tool shed, playhouse, Y Y N N N N N N N tennis court, boat house, or other similar building or structure for domestic storage or use.
  11. Zoning Enforcement, Structure Reviews, Zoning Enforcement, p. 1
    Whenever this is done, a certified plot plan is required showing the location of the new structure(s), to scale, on the plot plan.
  12. Wetlands Permitting, Conservation Commission - Wetlands Protection Regulations and Forms (Wetlands Permitting page), p. 1
    All other work proposed within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of a river or stream requires a permit.
  13. §9.1.4 Floodplain Overlay District, Applicability, Zoning By-Laws 2026 (amended through STM 2025), p. 131
    The Town of Canton 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
This page summarizes Canton's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-20. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Department (Building Commissioner Edward Walsh; Zoning Enforcement Officer in the same office), Lower Level, Memorial Hall, 801 Washington Street, Canton MA 02021 (781-821-5003) before you build. Spot an error?