Do I need a permit for a shed in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
Yes. In residential districts a small one-story shed (no more than 16 feet on any side or 200 sq ft) can go in the rear yard as close as 5 feet to the side and rear lot lines. Larger accessory buildings must meet the full district setbacks: in Residence A and C that's 40 feet front, 20 feet side and 30 feet rear.
| Small shed size | One story, detached, 16 ft max on any side or 200 sq ft max gross floor area [1] |
| Small shed location | Rear yard only [1] |
| Small shed side/rear setback | 5 feet [1] |
| Max accessory building height | 35 feet [2] |
| Larger accessory buildings | Must meet the Table of Dimensional Requirements [3] |
| A-RES setbacks (front/side/rear) | 40 ft / 20 ft / 30 ft [4] |
| Max building coverage (A-RES, C-RES) | 40% of lot, including accessory buildings [4] |
Small sheds: 5-foot setback
Section 2326 lets you put a one-story, non-commercial, detached accessory building in the rear yard of a residential lot if it is no more than 16 feet on any side or 200 sq ft of gross floor area, whichever is less. It must be at least 5 feet from the rear and side lot lines and no closer to the street than the district's front setback [1]. In practice, a 10x16 or 12x16 shed qualifies; a 14x16 shed (224 sq ft) does not.
Larger accessory buildings
Any accessory building that doesn't fit Section 2326 must meet the Table of Dimensional Requirements [3]. In Residence A and Residence C the table sets a 40-foot front yard, 20-foot side yard and 30-foot rear yard, a 35-foot height limit, and maximum building coverage of 40% of the lot counting principal and accessory buildings [4]. Corner lots have two front yards. No accessory building may be taller than 35 feet above average grade [2].
Permits
The Zoning Bylaw doesn't set its own shed permit threshold. Under the State Building Code, a one-story detached storage shed of 200 sq ft or less doesn't need a building permit, but it must still meet the zoning setbacks above. Bigger sheds, and any electrical work, need permits from the Building Department.
Other limits
- Storage trailers or containers used for storage longer than six months need a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals unless the use table allows them; up to six months needs Building Inspector approval [5].
- Sheds near wetlands or streams may need Conservation Commission review under the Wetlands Administration Bylaw, and sheds in the Flood Plain Overlay District are generally prohibited.
About our sources
This is based on the 2023 town PDF of the Zoning Bylaw. The current version (effective May 2025) is on eCode360, which we couldn't check.
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Next steps
- Measure the shed: one story, 16 feet max on any side and 200 sq ft max to use the 5-foot rear/side setback.
- Site it in the rear yard at least 5 feet from side and rear lines (or meet full district setbacks for a larger building).
- For sheds over 200 sq ft or with electricity, apply for permits with the Building Department (978-440-5461) with a plot plan showing setbacks.
- If within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of a perennial stream, contact the Conservation Commission first.
Common questions
- Can I put a shed in my yard in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
- Yes. In residential districts a small one-story shed, no more than 16 feet on any side or 200 sq ft, can go in the rear yard as close as 5 feet to the side and rear lot lines.
- How far from the property line must a shed be in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
- A small rear-yard shed can be 5 feet from side and rear lot lines. Larger accessory buildings must meet the full district setbacks, 40 feet front, 20 feet side and 30 feet rear in Residence A and C.
- How tall can a shed be in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
- The maximum accessory building height is 35 feet.
- How much of my lot can buildings cover in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
- Up to 40% of the lot in A-RES and C-RES, including accessory buildings.
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. 2326, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 21
2326. In residential zoning districts, a one-story, non-commercial accessory building which is detached and not part of the main building and 16 feet in length on any side, or with a maximum gross floor area of two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less, may be built in the rear yard area. Such accessory building shall not be located nearer than five (5) feet to the rear or side lot line, nor nearer to the front street line than the prescribed minimum set-back distance of the respective districts.
- Sec. 2327, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 21
2327. An accessory building shall not exceed 35 feet in height above the average grade level around the structure.
- Sec. 2610 Applicability, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 25
2610. Applicability. Except as hereinafter provided, no dwelling house, no principal building or structure, nor any accessory building shall be erected on a lot in any district unless the lot and building or structure shall conform to the requirements in the Table of Dimensional Requirements, Appendix B.
- Appendix B, Table of Dimensional Requirements, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 199
A-RES 40,000 180 40 20 30 - - 2.5 35 40 C-RES 60,000 210 40 20 30 - - 2.5 35 40
- Sec. 2324, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 20
The use of trailers, containers, or other transportable components for storage or office purposes for longer than six months is only permitted if allowed as of right in Section 2230. Table of Principal Use Regulations (Appendix A) or by special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.