Do I need a permit for a shed in Weston, Massachusetts?
Allowed
Yes, but in Weston a shed is a "structure" and must meet the same zoning setbacks as a house: 20 to 45 ft from side and rear lot lines and 30 to 60 ft from the street, depending on your district. The Zoning By-law sets no special size threshold for sheds. Under the state building code, a one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less doesn't need a building permit.
| Shed counts as | A "structure" under zoning [1] |
| Setback from lot lines | 45 / 35 / 25 / 20 ft in Districts A / B / C / D [3] |
| Setback from street side line | 60 / 50 / 40 / 30 ft in Districts A / B / C / D [4] |
| Floodplain overlay | Storage buildings over 120 sq ft need a Planning Board special permit [5] |
| Wetlands & Flood Plain District A | Only small nonresidential structures under 100 sq ft for recreation/crops allowed [6] |
Sheds are structures
Weston's Zoning By-law lists sheds as an example of a "structure" [1], and "every building or structure" in the Single Family Residence Districts must meet the setbacks in the dimensional table [2]. Unlike many towns, Weston has no reduced setback for small accessory buildings.
Setbacks by district
| District | From lot lines | From street side line |
|---|---|---|
| A | 45 ft | 60 ft |
| B | 35 ft | 50 ft |
| C | 25 ft | 40 ft |
| D | 20 ft | 30 ft |
These come from the Table of Conventional Dimensional Requirements [3][4]. There's also a street center line setback (85/75/65/55 ft) [7], and the greater of the two street setbacks applies. Uncovered steps, decks and similar parts may project up to 3 ft into a setback [8].
Size and permits
The Zoning By-law doesn't set a separate size or height limit for sheds. Under the state building code, a one-story detached shed of 200 sq ft or less doesn't need a building permit, but it still has to meet the zoning setbacks. Electrical work needs its own permit.
Floodplain and wetlands
- In the floodplain overlay district (Wetlands and Flood Plain Protection District B), the town requires permits for sheds, and storage facilities over 120 sq ft need a special permit from the Planning Board [5].
- In Wetlands and Flood Plain Protection District A, new buildings are generally barred except listed uses, including small nonresidential structures under 100 sq ft used for recreation or crops [6].
- A shed within 100 ft of a wetland or 200 ft of a river may need Conservation Commission approval under the Wetlands Protection By-law.
See how Weston compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on sheds & accessory buildings →
Next steps
- Find your zoning district (A, B, C or D) on the Zoning Map or by calling Inspectional Services (781-786-5040).
- Place the shed outside the setback for your district: 20-45 ft from side and rear lines, and 30-60 ft from the street side line.
- If the shed is over 200 sq ft or has more than one story, apply for a building permit with a plot plan showing the setbacks.
- If the site is in a floodplain district or near wetlands, check with the Planning Board and Conservation Commission first.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Weston, Massachusetts?
- Under the state building code, a one-story shed of 200 sq ft or less doesn't need a building permit. The Zoning By-law sets no special size threshold, and a shed still must meet zoning setbacks.
- How far from the property line must a shed be in Weston, Massachusetts?
- A shed is a structure and must meet house setbacks: 45, 35, 25 or 20 ft from lot lines in Districts A, B, C and D, and 60, 50, 40 or 30 ft from the street side line.
- Can I put a shed in a floodplain in Weston, Massachusetts?
- In the floodplain overlay, storage buildings over 120 sq ft need a Planning Board special permit.
- Can I put a shed in the Wetlands and Flood Plain District A in Weston, Massachusetts?
- Only small nonresidential structures under 100 sq ft for recreation or crops are allowed.
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. II Definitions, Structure, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 10
Anything constructed, assembled, erected or maintained at a fixed location above or below ground, including, but not limited to, the following examples: antenna, bridge, building, gazebo, mechanical equipment, pergola, platform or deck, satellite dish, shed, swimming pool, and an apron of five (5) feet measured from water’s edge, tennis or similar court, tower, trailer without wheels, trellis, tunnel.
- Sec. VI.B.1 Single Family Residence Districts, Minimum Requirements, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 54
Every building or structure shall be so situated as to have at least the setbacks from street side line and street center line and all lot lines specified in such table.
- Sec. VI.B.2 Table of Conventional Dimensional Requirements, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 55
Minimum setback from lot line (e) (f) 45 ft. 35 ft. 25 ft. 20 ft.
- Sec. VI.B.2 Table of Conventional Dimensional Requirements, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 55
Minimum setback from street side line (a) (e) (f) 60 ft. 50 ft. 40 ft. 30 ft
- Sec. V.H Floodplain overlay, Use Regulations (ii), Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 33
(ii) The following activities shall require a Special Permit from the Planning Board in addition to any other permits required by the Town’s Zoning and General Bylaws, a) Agricultural facilities with a footprint greater than 400sf b) Storage facilities greater than 120sf
- Sec. V.H.2.c(vi) Wetlands and Flood Plain Protection District A, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 28
(vi) Small nonresidential structures of less than 100 square feet of floor area used in connection with recreation or the growing, harvesting, storage or sale of crops raised on the premises.
- Sec. VI.B.2 Table of Conventional Dimensional Requirements, Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 55
Minimum setback from street center line (a) (e) (f) 85 ft. 75 ft. 65 ft. 55 ft.
- Sec. VI.B.2 Note (g), Zoning By-law (Article VIII of the By-laws), through 2025 Special Town Meeting, p. 55
(g) Eaves, overhangs, cantilevers, chimneys, bay windows and similar building parts, and uncovered porches, decks, steps and landings, may project up to three feet into the minimum setback.
This page summarizes Weston's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-03. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Inspectional Services (Building Department; enforces Zoning By-law), 11 Town House Road (781-786-5040) before you build. Spot an error?