How close to the property line can a shed be in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts?

Sheds must be 5 to 15 feet from side and rear lot lines depending on the district, and set back from the street 10 feet more than the house's front setback.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts?

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-03 · Reviewed 2026-10-05 · 4 cited sections

Depends on your zone

Sheds count as accessory structures under Manchester-by-the-Sea's Zoning By-law. They must be 5 to 15 feet from side and rear lot lines depending on the district, set back from the street 10 feet more than the house's front setback, and no taller than 1.5 stories or 25 feet. The bylaw sets no permit-size threshold, so the state building code's 200 sq ft exemption applies.

Side/rear setback, Single Residence A	10 ft ^[2]
Side/rear setback, Single Residence B and Residence D	5 ft ^[2]
Side/rear setback, Single Residence C and E	15 ft ^[2]
Front setback	District's minimum front setback plus 10 ft ^[3]
Max height	1 1/2 stories or 25 ft, whichever is less ^[3]
Max lot coverage by structures	15% (A, C, E), 20% (B), 40% (D) ^[4]
Shed counts as a structure	Yes ^[1]

Sheds are accessory structures

The Zoning By-law's definition of "structure" names sheds and shelters, along with decks, pools and courts ^[1]. Accessory structures follow Section 5.6 instead of the main-house setbacks.

Setbacks

Minimum distance from side and rear lot lines, by district ^[2]:

Single Residence District A: 10 ft
Single Residence District B: 5 ft
Single Residence District C: 15 ft
Residence District D: 5 ft
Single Residence District E: 15 ft
General District: 5 ft

From any street the lot fronts on, an accessory structure must be set back at least the district's minimum front setback plus 10 feet ^[3]. With front setbacks of 30 ft in Districts A, C and E, 20 ft in B, and 10 ft in D, that means 40, 30 or 20 feet. In practice, keep sheds out of the front yard.

Height and size

An accessory structure can't exceed one and one-half stories or 25 feet, whichever is less ^[3]. The bylaw has no separate size cap for sheds, but all structures together must stay within the district's lot coverage limit: 15% in Districts A, C and E, 20% in B and 40% in D ^[4]. There are also limits on total impervious coverage.

Permits

The bylaw doesn't set its own permit threshold. Under the state building code, a one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less doesn't need a building permit, but it still has to meet the zoning setbacks above.

Animal shelters and wetlands

The Board of Health requires coops and other animal structures to be at least 15 ft from property lines and 20 ft from a neighbor's house, even when no building permit is needed. The town's wetlands regulations count sheds as structures, so a shed near a wetland, stream or coastal bank needs Conservation Commission review. In the Historic District, exterior work may need Historic District Commission approval.

See how Manchester-by-the-Sea compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on sheds & accessory buildings →

Next steps

Find your zoning district (A, B, C, D, E or G) on the town zoning map or by calling the Building Department (978-526-2010).
Site the shed behind the front setback plus 10 ft and at least the district's side/rear distance (5 to 15 ft) from lot lines.
Apply for a building permit if the shed is over 200 sq ft or more than one story; bring a plot plan showing setbacks and lot coverage.
If the shed is near a wetland, stream or the shore, contact the Conservation Commission before placing it.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a shed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts?: The bylaw sets no permit-size threshold, so the state building code's 200 sq ft exemption applies.
How close to the property line can a shed be in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts?: Sheds must be 5 to 15 feet from side and rear lot lines depending on the district, and set back from the street 10 feet more than the house's front setback.
How tall can a shed be in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts?: No taller than 1.5 stories or 25 feet.

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 Manchester-by-the-Sea's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

Section 2 Definitions, Structure, Zoning By-law (compilation dated April 27, 2026), p. 16
at a fixed location to give support, shelter or utility, including but not limited to, buildings (whether principal or accessory), platforms and decks, swimming pools, tennis or similar courts, satellite dishes of three (3) feet diameter or greater, sheds, shelters, and display signs.
Sec. 5.6 Accessory Structure (table), Zoning By-law (compilation dated April 27, 2026), p. 31
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES DISTRICT MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM FRONT SIDE AND REAR LOT LINES Single Residence District A 10 ft. * Single Residence District B 5 ft. * Single Residence District C 15 ft. * Residence District D 5 ft. * Single Residence District E 15 ft. *
Sec. 5.6 Accessory Structure, Zoning By-law (compilation dated April 27, 2026), p. 31
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.0, no accessory structure shall be erected or altered so that it exceeds one and one-half (1 1/2) story as defined in Section 5.5 above or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is lesser. Accessory structures shall be set back from any street on which the lot has frontage at least the applicable minimum front setback for such lot plus ten (10) feet.
Sec. 5.4 Lot Coverage Requirements, Zoning By-law (compilation dated April 27, 2026), p. 29
Single Residence District A 15% 30% Single Residence District B 20% 35% Single Residence District C 15% 25% Residence District D 40% 50% Single Residence District E 15% 25%

This page summarizes Manchester-by-the-Sea's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-03. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Department (Building Inspector) (978-526-2010 (off-hours 978-546-9218)) before you build. Spot an error?