Town Permit Guide

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

Salem, Essex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-15 · Reviewed · 8 cited sections

Allowed

Sheds are allowed by right in Salem's residential districts, but not in the required front yard or the side yard of a corner lot. A detached shed must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from other buildings, no taller than 18 feet (1.5 stories), and no larger than 120 sq ft or 1% of the lot area, whichever is greater.

LocationNot in the required front yard or any side yard of a corner lot [1]
Setback from side and rear lot lines5 feet [4]
Distance from other buildings10 feet (including the house and buildings on abutting lots) [2]
Max size (non-garage)120 sq ft or 1% of lot area, whichever is greater [2]
Max height1.5 stories or 18 feet [3]
Flood zonePermit required for sheds in the Flood Hazard Overlay District [5]

Allowed by right

Salem's use table lists "Private garages and other accessory structures" as allowed by right in the RC, R1, R2, R3 and B1 districts [6]. Section 3.2.4 covers accessory buildings and structures such as garages and tool sheds (it doesn't apply to ADUs).

Where it can go

No accessory building may be in the required front yard or in any side yard of a corner lot [1]. The dimensional table's front-yard row sets the required front yard at 40 feet in RC and 15 feet in R1, R2 and R3 [7]. A detached shed must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines [4] and at least 10 feet from any other building, whether on your lot or the neighbor's [2]. That 10-foot rule also applies to the distance from your own house, unless the structure is attached to it.

Size and height

A detached accessory building other than a garage can't cover more than 1% of the lot area or 120 square feet, whichever is greater [2]. On a 10,000 sq ft lot that's 120 sq ft; on a 20,000 sq ft lot it's 200 sq ft. Accessory structures and garages are limited to 1.5 stories or 18 feet [3]. All buildings together must also stay within the district's maximum lot coverage (the table's lot-coverage row lists 20% in RC, 30% in R1 and 35% in R2 and R3) [8].

Permits

Salem's zoning doesn't set its own shed permit threshold; building permits come from Inspectional Services under the state building code (small one-story sheds are generally exempt; see the state rules on this page). In the Flood Hazard Overlay District, a permit is required for any development, explicitly including sheds [5]. Near wetlands or the coast, Conservation Commission review may also apply. Greenhouses, hoop houses and similar farm structures follow separate urban agriculture rules (5 feet from lot lines for greenhouses, 15-foot height cap).

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

Next steps

  1. Measure your lot area to find your size cap (the greater of 120 sq ft or 1% of the lot).
  2. Site the shed behind the required front yard, at least 5 feet from side/rear lines and 10 feet from your house and any other building; avoid the side yard on a corner lot.
  3. Check whether you're in a flood zone or near wetlands; if so, contact Inspectional Services and the Conservation Commission (see the city website) first.
  4. Ask Inspectional Services (978-619-5641) whether your shed needs a building permit, and file one if it's over the state exemption size or has electrical work.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a shed in Salem, MA?
It depends. Salem's zoning doesn't set its own shed permit threshold; building permits come from Inspectional Services under the state building code, and small one-story sheds are generally exempt. Sheds in the Flood Hazard Overlay District always need a permit, and wetlands review may apply.
How big can a shed be in Salem, Massachusetts?
A detached shed can't exceed 120 sq ft or 1% of the lot area, whichever is greater, and can be no taller than 1.5 stories or 18 feet.
How far does a shed need to be from the property line in Salem, MA?
At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from any other building, including your house and neighbors' buildings. Sheds can't go in the required front yard or any side yard of a corner lot.
Are sheds allowed in Salem, Massachusetts residential zones?
Yes. Private garages and other accessory structures are allowed by right in the RC, R1, R2, R3 and B1 districts, subject to the setback and size rules.

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 Salem's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Sec. 3.2.4(1) Accessory Buildings and Structures, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.0 Use Regulations (3.1 Table of Principal Uses, 3.2 Accessory Uses incl. 3.2.2 Home Occupations, 3.2.4 accessory buildings, 3.2.5 Swimming Pools, 3.2.7 Urban Agriculture, 3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units), p. 1
    No accessory building or structure shall be located within any required front yard or within any side yard of a corner lot.
  2. Sec. 3.2.4(3) Accessory Buildings and Structures, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.0 Use Regulations (3.1 Table of Principal Uses, 3.2 Accessory Uses incl. 3.2.2 Home Occupations, 3.2.4 accessory buildings, 3.2.5 Swimming Pools, 3.2.7 Urban Agriculture, 3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units), p. 1
    The building area of such building or structure, excluding garages, shall not exceed one (1) percent of the lot area or one hundred twenty (120) square feet, whichever is greater, and shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to any other building on the same lot or any abutting lot.
  3. Sec. 3.2.4(4) Accessory Buildings and Structures, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.0 Use Regulations (3.1 Table of Principal Uses, 3.2 Accessory Uses incl. 3.2.2 Home Occupations, 3.2.4 accessory buildings, 3.2.5 Swimming Pools, 3.2.7 Urban Agriculture, 3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units), p. 1
    Accessory structures, and garages shall not exceed one and one-half (1.5) stories or eighteen (18) feet in height.
  4. Sec. 3.2.4(3) Accessory Buildings and Structures, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.0 Use Regulations (3.1 Table of Principal Uses, 3.2 Accessory Uses incl. 3.2.2 Home Occupations, 3.2.4 accessory buildings, 3.2.5 Swimming Pools, 3.2.7 Urban Agriculture, 3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units), p. 1
    No unattached accessory building or structure shall be located nearer than five (5) feet to any side lot line
  5. Sec. 8.1.3 Applicability (Flood Hazard Overlay District), Zoning Ordinance Sec. 8.0 Special District Regulations (8.1 Flood Hazard Overlay District; 8.2/8.4 district fence standards), p. 1
    The City of Salem 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.
  6. Sec. 3.1, Table of Principal and Accessory Use Regulations, E. Accessory Uses, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.0 Use Regulations (3.1 Table of Principal Uses, 3.2 Accessory Uses incl. 3.2.2 Home Occupations, 3.2.4 accessory buildings, 3.2.5 Swimming Pools, 3.2.7 Urban Agriculture, 3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units), p. 1
    Private garages and other accessory structures
  7. Sec. 4.1.1 Table of Dimensional Requirements, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.0 Dimensional Requirements (Table 4.1.1 incl. max height of fences/walls), p. 1
    Minimum depth of front yard (feet)
  8. Sec. 4.1.1 Table of Dimensional Requirements, Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.0 Dimensional Requirements (Table 4.1.1 incl. max height of fences/walls), p. 1
    Maximum lot coverage by all buildings (percent)
This page summarizes Salem's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-15. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Inspectional Services (Building Department), 98 Washington St, 2nd Floor (978-619-5641) before you build. Spot an error?