Do I need a permit for a shed in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
Swampscott's zoning bylaw allows one detached accessory building (like a shed) in the rear yard, up to 15 feet tall, at least 10 feet from the house and at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines (or half the district's required setback, if that's larger). It can cover no more than 25% of the required rear yard. The one-building limit counts every accessory building, so if you already have a detached garage, a shed needs a special permit from the Board of Appeals.
| Location | Rear yard; no closer to the street than the district's front setback [1] |
| Side/rear setback | Greater of 5 ft or 50% of the district's required setback [1] |
| Distance from house | 10 feet [1] |
| Max coverage | 25% of the required rear yard area [1] |
| Max height | 15 feet [2] |
| Number allowed | 1 without a special permit [3] |
| A-3/A-4 required side and rear yards | 7.5 ft side, 20 ft rear (so about 5 ft side and 10 ft rear for a shed) [4] |
These rules come from the zoning bylaw version updated through the May 19, 2025 Town Meeting and may have changed since.
Where a shed can go
An accessory building is a subordinate building on the same lot whose use is incidental to the main building, such as a garage, playhouse or greenhouse [5]. A detached accessory building may be built in the rear yard. It can't take up more than 25% of the required rear yard area, must be at least 10 feet from the house, and can be no closer to a side or rear lot line than the greater of 5 feet or 50% of the district's required setback. It also can't be closer to the street than the district's front setback [1].
What that means in practice
The dimensional table sets side and rear yards by district. In the A-3 and A-4 districts (and A-1/A-2 lots under 20,000 sq ft) the required side yard is 7.5 feet and the rear yard 20 feet [4], so a shed needs at least 5 feet from the side line and 10 feet from the rear line. On larger A-1 and A-2 lots the required yards are bigger: 10 ft side and 25 ft rear for lots of 20,000 to 30,000 sq ft (A-1) or 20,000 sq ft or more (A-2), so a shed needs 5 ft from the side and 12.5 ft from the rear; and 15 ft side and 35 ft rear for A-1 lots of 30,000 sq ft or more (the rear yard need not exceed 25% of lot depth), so 7.5 ft side and 17.5 ft rear for a shed.
Height and number
An accessory building can't be taller than 15 feet above ground level [2]. Only one accessory building is allowed per lot without a special permit from the Board of Appeals [3]; an existing detached garage counts toward that limit. A garage for up to 3 cars is a separate permitted accessory use with the same side/rear setback formula.
Permits
The zoning bylaw doesn't set its own permit size threshold; the State Building Code decides when a shed needs a building permit (see the state section). Even a permit-exempt shed must meet these zoning setbacks. If the lot is near a wetland or the coast, check with the Conservation Commission first.
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Next steps
- Look up your zoning district and required side and rear yards (Appendix A of the zoning bylaw) and measure from the lot lines.
- Site the shed in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from the house and at least 5 feet (or half the required setback) from side and rear lines.
- Ask the Building Department (781-596-8857) whether your shed's size needs a building permit.
- If you already have an accessory building, apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a special permit before adding another.
Common questions
- Can I put a shed in my yard in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
- Yes. The zoning bylaw allows one detached accessory building, like a shed, in the rear yard, up to 15 feet tall, at least 10 feet from the house.
- How far from the property line must a shed be in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
- At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines, or half the district's required setback if that's larger.
- How much of the yard can a shed cover in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
- No more than 25% of the required rear yard.
- Can I have a shed and a garage in Swampscott, Massachusetts?
- Only with a special permit. The one-building limit counts every accessory building, so a shed on a lot with a detached garage needs a special permit from the Board of Appeals.
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. 2.3.3.1, Zoning By-Law (Version 5-21-25; updated through Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2025), p. 20
2.3.3.1. An accessory building which is detached and not part of the main building may be built in the rear yard area, provided that not more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the required rear yard area is occupied by the accessory building. A detached accessory building shall not be located nearer than ten (10) feet to the principal building, nor nearer to the rear or side lot line than the greater of (i) five (5) feet and (ii) fifty (50%) percent of the relevant prescribed minimum set- back distance, nor nearer to the front street line than the prescribed minimum se-tback distance of the respective districts.
- Sec. 2.3.3.3, Zoning By-Law (Version 5-21-25; updated through Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2025), p. 20
2.3.3.3. An accessory building shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height above the ground level.
- Sec. 2.3.3.4, Zoning By-Law (Version 5-21-25; updated through Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2025), p. 20
2.3.3.4. No more than one (1) accessory building may be located on lot without first obtaining a special permit from the Board of Appeals in accordance with Section 5.3.0.0. below.
- Appendix A, Table of Dimensional Requirements, Zoning By-Law (Version 5-21-25; updated through Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2025), p. 148
A3 All lots 20 7.5 20 30 A4 All lots 20 7.5 20 30
- Article VI, Definitions, Accessory building, Zoning By-Law (Version 5-21-25; updated through Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2025), p. 139
Accessory building: A subordinate building located on the same lot as the main or principal building or principal use, the use of which is customarily incidental to that of the principal building or use of the land, such as a garage, playhouse or private greenhouse.