Do I need a permit for a shed in Medford, Massachusetts?
Yes, in the rear yard. Medford's zoning allows a tool shed by right in the residential districts, but it must go in the rear yard (not the required front or side yard), stay at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from the house, and be no taller than 15 feet. Under the state building code, a shed over 200 sq ft also needs a building permit.
| Allowed in single-family districts (SF-1, SF-2, GR) | Yes, by right [1] |
| Location | Rear yard only; not in required front or side yard [2] |
| Setback from side and rear lot lines | 3 feet (1 foot if fire-resistance-rated walls) [3] |
| Max height | 15 feet [4] |
| Distance from house and other accessory buildings | 10 feet [5] |
| Max rear yard coverage | 25% of the rear yard area [6] |
Where a shed can go
A noncommercial greenhouse, tool shed or similar accessory structure is allowed by right in Medford's single-family and apartment districts (it needs a City Council special permit in the ROS district) [1]. The quoted table row lists codes by district in the order ROS, SF-1, SF-2, GR: "CC" means a City Council special permit and "Y" means allowed. In residential districts, no accessory structure can be placed in the required front or side yard, but it may be built in the rear yard [2]. Structures accessory to a one- or two-family home can cover up to 25% of the rear yard area [6].
Setbacks and spacing
A shed must be at least three feet from the side and rear lot lines, or one foot if it's built with fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies as defined by the State Building Code [3]. Buildings accessory to a single- or two-family home must be at least ten feet from the house (unless attached to it) and ten feet from any other accessory building [5].
Height
Structures accessory to one- and two-family homes can't exceed 15 feet in height [4].
Permits
The zoning ordinance doesn't set its own shed permit threshold. Under the state building code, a one-story detached storage shed of 200 square feet or less doesn't need a building permit, but it must still meet the zoning location, setback and height rules above. Medford's Building Department publishes a Shed Regulations handout that we weren't able to review, so confirm its current requirements. If your yard is near a wetland, pond or river, check with the Conservation Commission first.
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Next steps
- Pick a rear-yard spot at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from the house and any garage.
- Keep the shed 15 feet tall or less and check that accessory structures won't cover more than 25% of the rear yard.
- Ask the Medford Building Department (City Hall Room 115A, 781-393-2509) for its Shed Regulations handout and apply for a building permit if the shed is over 200 sq ft.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Medford, MA?
- Only for larger sheds. Under the state building code, a shed over 200 sq ft needs a building permit; smaller ones must still meet zoning. Ask the Building Department for its Shed Regulations handout.
- How far does a shed need to be from the property line in Medford, Massachusetts?
- At least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines (1 foot with fire-resistance-rated walls) and 10 feet from the house and other accessory buildings. Sheds go in the rear yard only.
- How tall can a shed be in Medford, MA?
- No taller than 15 feet, and accessory structures can cover up to 25% of the rear yard area.
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
- Table A, K.7 (Noncommercial greenhouse, tool shed, or similar accessory structure), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
7. Noncommercial greenhouse, tool shed, or similar accessory structure CC Y Y Y
- Sec. 94-4.3.2(1), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
In residential districts, no accessory structure shall be located within the required front or side yard or any court but may be built in the rear yard subject to section 94-4.2.5.
- Sec. 94-4.3.2(3), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
Any accessory structures must be set back a minimum of three feet from rear and side lot lines, or a one foot separation from lot lines if constructed of fire-resistance wall assemblies, as defined by the State Building Code,
- Sec. 94-4.3.1(1), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
Structures accessory to one- and two-family dwellings shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
- Sec. 94-4.1.2(3)(a), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
Buildings accessory to single or two-family detached dwellings shall not be less than ten feet from that detached dwelling unless part of and attached to that dwelling, nor less than ten feet from another accessory building.
- Sec. 94-4.2.5(1), Revised Ordinances Chapter 94 - Zoning (Municode, Supp. No. 18, codified through Ord. No. 889 adopted April 16, 2024), p. 1
No structure shall be built within the rear yard except for a structure accessory to a one or two-family dwelling which may occupy up to 25 percent of the rear yard area.