Do I need a permit for a shed in Lincoln, Massachusetts?
Sheds are allowed as accessory structures. Lincoln's zoning bylaw requires them to be at least 50 feet from the street line and at least 20 feet from side and rear lot lines, or farther if the shed is taller than 20 feet. The Board of Appeals can grant a special permit to reduce these setbacks. State building-code rules (shown separately) decide whether a small shed needs a building permit.
| Setback from street line | 50 ft [1] |
| Setback from side and rear lot lines | 20 ft or the shed's height, whichever is greater [2] |
| Relief from setbacks | Special permit from the Board of Appeals [3] |
| Lot coverage | All buildings' gross floor area max 25% of lot area [5] |
| Max height (R-1) | 36 ft or 2½ stories, whichever is less [6] |
Setbacks
The bylaw's definition of a structure specifically lists sheds [4]. Under Section 13.4, accessory structures can't be closer than 50 feet to the street line [1]. They also can't be closer to a side or rear lot line than 20 feet, or than their own height if that's greater [2]. For a typical shed, that means 20 feet from side and rear lines. The street setback matches the house's, but the side and rear setbacks are less than the 50-foot yards required for the house itself in the R-1 district.
If your lot can't fit a shed within these setbacks, the Board of Appeals can grant a special permit letting a shed sit closer to the lot lines [3]. The board must find the shed is in harmony with the bylaw and not harmful to neighbors.
Size and height
The bylaw has no shed-specific size cap. The gross floor area of all buildings on the lot together can't exceed 25% of the lot area [5]. In the R-1 district, a structure built after April 5, 2003 can be no taller than 36 feet or 2½ stories, whichever is less [6]. Large additions that push a lot's calculated gross floor area above 4,000 sq ft or 8% of the lot area (whichever is greater), or to 6,500 sq ft or more, trigger Planning Board site plan review, and accessory buildings count toward that total.
Near wetlands
If the Conservation Commission approves work within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of a river or perennial stream, it may require an undisturbed vegetated buffer strip. Sheds and other accessory structures are prohibited inside that strip [7].
Permits
The Building Inspector won't approve a building permit unless the plans comply with the zoning bylaw. Sheds over the state's building-permit size threshold need a permit from the Building Department.
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Next steps
- Site the shed at least 50 ft from the street line and at least 20 ft (or its height, if greater) from side and rear lot lines.
- Check whether the shed is near a wetland, pond or stream. If so, contact the Conservation Commission before placing it.
- Ask the Building Department (781-259-2613) whether your shed's size needs a building permit, and bring a plot plan showing setbacks.
- If the setbacks can't be met, apply to the Board of Appeals for a special permit.
Common questions
- Can I build a shed in Lincoln, Massachusetts?
- Yes, sheds are allowed as accessory structures. State building-code rules decide whether a small shed needs a building permit.
- How far from the property line must a shed be in Lincoln, Massachusetts?
- At least 50 feet from the street line and at least 20 feet from side and rear lot lines, or farther if the shed is taller than 20 feet.
- Can I get relief from shed setbacks in Lincoln, Massachusetts?
- Yes. The Board of Appeals can grant a special permit to reduce these setbacks.
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
- Sec. 13.4 Accessory Structures, Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 76
13.4 Accessory Structures. Accessory structures, as defined in Section 23 and enumerated under Structure (a-q), shall not be located closer than 50 feet from the
- Sec. 13.4 Accessory Structures, Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 77
street line nor any closer to any side or rear lot line than the height of such accessory structure above the ground level or 20 feet, whichever is greater.
- Sec. 13.4 Accessory Structures, Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 77
Accessory structures, as defined in Section 23, and enumerated under Structure (b-q) may be located without regard to the foregoing dimensional requirements provided that the Board of Appeals has issued a special permit pursuant to Section 6.2(f) and Section 20.2(c).
- Sec. 23 Definitions, Structure, Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 114
In particular, the term “structure” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) buildings, (b) stadiums, (c) tents, (d) reviewing stands, (e) platforms, (f) stagings, (g) observation towers, (h) water tanks, (i) play towers, (j) swimming pools, (k) animal enclosures, (l) trestles, (m) sheds, (n) shelters, (o) courts for tennis or similar games, (p) backstops, (q) backboards, (r) fences, or (s) display signs.
- Sec. 13.3 Lot Coverage, Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 76
13.3 Lot Coverage. The Gross Floor Area of all buildings on any lot shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the lot.
- Sec. 6.5.1.b Height (R-1), Zoning By-laws (latest amendment September 22, 2025), p. 22
6.5.1.b The height of any structure constructed after April 5, 2003, shall not exceed 36 feet or 2 1/2 stories which ever is less, as measured in accordance with Section
- Conservation Commission Regulations Sec. 7.2, Conservation Commission Buffer Zone Regulations (Section 7 Permits and Conditions), p. 3
Activities prohibited in the naturally vegetated buffer strip shall include construction of buildings, sheds, garages or other accessory structures, swimming pools, tennis courts, septic systems, installation of lawn, removal of trees or shrubs, placement of wood chips or bark mulch, dumping of leaves or lawn refuse, grading, removal of naturally occurring leaf litter and debris, and other landscaping activities which interfere with the naturally occurring vegetation of the area.