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

Sandwich, Barnstable County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-20 · Reviewed · 11 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes, you need a building permit for any shed in Sandwich. Sheds under 200 sq ft cost $50. A one-story shed can sit in a side or rear yard if it's at least 10 feet from the lot line (6 feet if it's 100 sq ft or less) and 12 feet from any other building. North of Route 6 you also need Historic District Committee approval, which can be a simple exemption for a wooden shed up to 120 sq ft and 12 feet tall.

Building permit fee, shed under 200 sq ft$50 [1]
Building permit fee, shed over 200 sq ft$200 for the first 100 sq ft + $50 per additional 100 sq ft [2]
Setback from side/rear lot lines (one-story)10 feet; 6 feet if 100 sq ft or less [3]
Distance from other buildings12 feet [4]
Front (street) yard setback30 ft in R-1; 50 ft in R-2 [9]
Historic district exemption sizeUp to 120 sq ft and 12 ft to the ridge [6]
Conservation administrative review limitSheds up to 80 sq ft [7]
Sheds on beaches, dunes or salt marshOn piles or helical anchors, at least 24 in. above grade [8]

Permit

Sandwich's residential fee schedule lists sheds under 200 sq ft at $50 [1]. Larger sheds are charged like other construction: $200 for the first 100 sq ft plus $50 for each additional 100 sq ft [2]. In other words, even small sheds need a building permit. Fees double if you start work before getting permits. Apply online through Permit Eyes.

Where it can go

Under note (d) of the Intensity of Use Schedule, a one-story accessory building may be placed within a required yard. It must stay at least 10 feet from lot lines other than street lines, or 6 feet for a building of 100 sq ft or less [3]. Note (e) says no building may be within 12 feet of any other building [4]. Front (street) yard setbacks still apply: 30 feet in R-1 [9] and 50 feet in R-2 [10]. A shed taller than one story has to meet the regular district setbacks: 25 feet side and rear in R-1, with 25% maximum lot coverage [9], and 45 feet in R-2 [10]. The Village (VIL) and Shore (S) districts share a table column with business districts. There, residential uses follow the nearest residential district's requirements [11], so ask the Building Department. An accessory building that takes up more than 30% of the lot is no longer accessory [5].

Old King's Highway Historic District (north of Route 6)

One wooden residential shed can get a Certificate of Exemption without a hearing if it's no more than 120 sq ft and 12 feet to the ridge [6]. It also needs a roof pitch of at least 7/12 (or matching the house), asphalt or wood shingles, and siding other than T1-11. Other sheds need a Certificate of Appropriateness with a hearing.

Near wetlands and the coast

Within Conservation Commission jurisdiction (100 feet of wetlands, beaches, dunes, banks, and the flood zones), a shed of 80 sq ft or less may qualify for staff administrative review ($75). This applies only if it's at least 50 feet from the resource area, among other conditions [7]. A shed on a coastal beach, dune, barrier beach or salt marsh must sit on driven piles or helical anchors, with the lowest member at least 24 inches above grade [8]. Building without Conservation approval means filing a full Notice of Intent at double the fee.

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

Next steps

  1. Email setbacks@sandwichmass.org with your address to confirm your district's setbacks, and plan the shed at least 10 ft (or 6 ft if 100 sq ft or less) from side and rear lines and 12 ft from other buildings.
  2. If you're north of Route 6, apply to the Historic District Committee (Planning & Development, 508-833-8001) for a Certificate of Exemption (one wooden shed of 120 sq ft or less, 12 ft or less to the ridge) or a Certificate of Appropriateness.
  3. If the site is within 100 ft of a wetland, pond, beach or dune, contact the Natural Resources Department (508-833-8054) about Conservation administrative review or a filing.
  4. Apply for the building permit in Permit Eyes ($50 for sheds under 200 sq ft) with a plot plan showing setbacks, then schedule inspections at 508-888-4200.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a shed in Sandwich, Massachusetts?
Yes. Sandwich's fee schedule lists a building permit for sheds under 200 sq ft at $50, so even small sheds need one. Larger sheds cost $200 for the first 100 sq ft plus $50 for each additional 100 sq ft.
How close to the property line can a shed be in Sandwich, MA?
A one-story shed can sit in a side or rear yard if it's at least 10 feet from the lot line, or 6 feet if it's 100 sq ft or less. It must be 12 feet from any other building. Front-yard setbacks still apply: 30 feet in R-1 and 50 feet in R-2. In the VIL and S districts, check with the Building Department.
Do I need historic district approval for a shed in Sandwich, Massachusetts?
If you're north of Route 6, yes. One wooden shed of no more than 120 sq ft and 12 feet to the ridge can get a Certificate of Exemption without a hearing if it meets the design criteria. Other sheds need a Certificate of Appropriateness with a hearing.
Can I put a shed near wetlands in Sandwich, MA?
Possibly, with Conservation Commission approval. Within 100 feet of wetlands, beaches, dunes or banks, a shed of 80 sq ft or less at least 50 feet from the resource area may qualify for $75 staff review. Sheds on a beach, dune or salt marsh must sit on piles or helical anchors at least 24 inches above grade.

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

  1. Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule (2025), p. 1
    Sheds (Under 200 sq. ft.) $50.00
  2. Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule (2025), p. 1
    RESIDENTIAL (New, Addition, Alteration, Garage Only, Sheds over 200 sq. ft.) CURRENT FEES First 100 square feet of construction $200.00 Minimum Plus $50.00 Each additional 100 sq. ft. or part thereof
  3. Sec. 2600 Intensity of Use Schedule, note (d), Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 25
    One-story accessory buildings may be located within a required yard, but not less than ten (10) feet from lot lines other than street lines; except an accessory building of one hundred (100) square feet or less may be located no closer than six (6) feet to the line.
  4. Sec. 2600 Intensity of Use Schedule, note (e), Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 25
    No building or any part thereof, except steps, shall be built within twelve (12) feet of any other building.
  5. Article VIII Definitions, Accessory Building or Use, Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 84
    ACCESSORY BUILDING OR USE - A building or use customarily incidental to and located on the same lot with the principal building or use, except that if more than thirty (30) percent of the lot area is occupied by such use, it shall no longer be considered accessory.
  6. OKH Bulletin, Certificate of Exemption list, (g.) Sheds, Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Commission Bulletin (March 1, 2022) - Act, rules and regulations, exemptions, p. 26
    SIZE — No more than 120 square feet in floor area and no more than 12 feet in height to ridgeline.
  7. Administrative Review, Construction condition 5, Conservation Commission - Administrative Review of Minor Projects: application and instructions (last rev. 3/25/26), p. 2
    Any proposed deck or shed structures do not exceed 80 square feet within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission.
  8. Regulation No. 13, Part I, Sandwich Conservation Commission Regulations (Regulations No. 1-13), p. 19
    When the structure is a new elevated walkway, deck, support structure and/or shed, the lowest horizontal member must be a minimum of twenty four (24) inches over existing grade, at installation.
  9. Sec. 2600 Intensity of Use Schedule, R-1 column (reviewer's reading of the table), Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 25
    R-1 Minimum front yard in feet (c) 30 Minimum side & rear yard in feet (c,d, e, i) 25 Maximum lot coverage % 25
  10. Sec. 2600 Intensity of Use Schedule, R-2 column (reviewer's reading of the table), Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 25
    R-2 Minimum front yard in feet 50 Minimum side & rear yard in feet 45
  11. Sec. 2600 Intensity of Use Schedule, note (a), Protective Zoning By-law (May 2025 edition), p. 25
    Permitted residential uses must conform to the requirements at the nearest residential district.
This page summarizes Sandwich'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 administers and enforces the Protective Zoning By-law, incl. s.4130 ADUs, and the general bylaw Ch. 12 Short-Term Rentals; zoning complaints on the Zoning Complaint Form), Town Hall Annex, 100 Route 6A, Sandwich MA 02563; email building@sandwichmass.org; setback questions setbacks@sandwichmass.org (508-888-4200) before you build. Spot an error?