Do I need a permit for a shed in Worcester, Massachusetts?
Yes. In Worcester's residential districts a detached shed must be at least 5 feet from every lot line, no more than 15 feet tall, and kept out of the required front yard and the exterior side yard of a corner lot. The ordinance also caps the total area of accessory uses at 10% of the house's floor area or 10% of the lot's unbuilt area; it's unclear whether both limits apply, so confirm with Building & Zoning before building a large shed. The state building code exempts one-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit.
| Min setback from lot lines | 5 feet [1] |
| Max height | 15 feet [1] |
| Location | Not in the required front yard or exterior side yard [2] |
| Max accessory-use area (residential) | 10% of main building floor area or 10% of unbuilt lot area (unclear whether both apply) [3] |
| Detached garage max size | 10% of lot area or 750 sq ft, whichever is larger (bigger by ZBA special permit) [4] |
| Floodplain overlay | Permit required for sheds [6] |
Setbacks and height
In residential districts, a separate accessory building or structure, unless the ordinance says otherwise, may be no taller than 15 feet and no closer than 5 feet to any lot line [1]. No accessory building may sit in the required front yard or in the exterior side yard of a corner lot [2]. In practice, that puts sheds in the back or interior side yard.
Size limits
The total area of accessory uses in a residential district, not counting parking, private garages, swimming pools and yard gardens, may not be more than 10% of the main building's floor area or 10% of the lot's unbuilt area [3]. A detached private garage can be up to 10% of the lot area or 750 sq ft, whichever is larger, and the Zoning Board of Appeals can allow a larger one by special permit [4]. The ordinance lists the two limits as "a) … or b)" and doesn't make clear whether both apply (so the smaller one controls) or just one. The difference matters: on a 1,500 sq ft house, 10% of the floor area is only 150 sq ft. Check with Building & Zoning before planning a large shed.
Building permits
Worcester's ordinances don't set their own shed-permit size threshold. Under the state building code, one-story storage sheds of 200 sq ft or less don't need a building permit (see below), but they still have to meet the zoning rules above. Any building permit application must include a scaled plan showing the lot and the building's location and dimensions [5].
Special areas
- A shed in the floodplain overlay district needs a floodplain development permit, whatever its size [6].
- Work near wetlands may need Conservation Commission approval.
- Garden sheds used for a yard garden or urban farm count as "farm structures" under the urban agriculture section and are also barred from front yards on residential lots.
- Sheds must be kept structurally sound and in good repair.
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Next steps
- Measure where the shed will go: at least 5 feet from every lot line, behind the front yard, and 15 feet tall or less.
- Check whether your lot is in the floodplain overlay or near a wetland using the City's zoning map, or ask Planning & Regulatory Services (508-799-1400).
- For sheds over 200 sq ft or more than one story, apply for a building permit through the City's OpenGov portal (Inspectional Services, Building & Zoning, 25 Meade St., 508-799-1198) with a plot plan showing setbacks.
- If the shed needs electrical work, get a separate electrical permit.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Worcester, MA?
- Not for small ones. The state building code exempts one-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit, but they still must meet zoning. Sheds in the floodplain overlay need a floodplain development permit whatever their size.
- How far does a shed need to be from the property line in Worcester, Massachusetts?
- At least 5 feet from every lot line, no more than 15 feet tall, and kept out of the required front yard and the exterior side yard of a corner lot.
- How big can a shed be in Worcester, MA?
- It's unclear. Worcester caps total accessory-use area at 10% of the house's floor area or 10% of the lot's unbuilt area, and doesn't make clear whether both limits apply. Confirm with Building & Zoning before building a large shed.
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
- Art. IV, §8(B)(10), City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 116
Unless provided herein, no accessory building or structure separate from the main building, including a private swimming pool may exceed fifteen (15) feet in height, nor be located closer to any lot line than five (5) feet.
- Art. IV, §8(B)(4), City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 115
No accessory building or use may occupy any part of a required front yard or exterior side yard, except for driveways and parking facilities in accordance with the requirements of Article IV, Section-7, yard gardens without farm structures, farm stands, or as provided for in Article XVI, Section-3.
- Art. IV, §8(B)(1), City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 115
The total area devoted to accessory uses, excluding parking, private garages, swimming pools, and yard gardens may not exceed the following: a) More than ten (10) percent of the floor area in a main building; or b) More than ten (10) percent of the entire un-built area of a lot.
- Art. IV, §8(B)(2), City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 115
A private unattached garage located on the same lot with the building to which it is accessory may be provided with a maximum floor area of ten (10) percent of the lot area or seven hundred fifty (750) square feet whichever is larger. Larger private garages may be allowed by special permit of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Art. II, §2(B) Building Permits, City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 23
All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by such plan or plans drawn to scale and showing the locations and dimensions of the lot to be built upon and such other information as may be deemed necessary by the Director of Code Enforcement to determine compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
- Art. VI, Floodplain Overlay District, City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance (ordained April 2, 1991, as amended through January 13, 2026), p. 192
Require 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.