Do I need a permit for a shed in Yarmouth, Massachusetts?
Yes. A single-story shed of 150 sq ft or less can sit 6 feet from the side and rear lot lines (and at least 12 feet from any building on the neighbor's lot), and must be 30 feet from the front lot line, which is both the residential districts' front setback and what the Building Department's Express Shed Permit form requires. Larger sheds must meet the district's regular setbacks (for example, 20 feet side and rear in the R-40 and RS-40 districts); state code exempts one-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit, but Yarmouth uses an Express Shed Permit, so confirm with the Building Department whether you need one, and sheds in the Old King's Highway Historic District or near wetlands need extra approval.
| Side/rear setback, sheds 150 sq ft or less (single story) | 6 feet [1] |
| Distance from buildings on adjacent lot | At least 12 feet [1] |
| Front lot line setback (all sheds) | 30 feet (Express Shed Permit form; also the residential districts' front setback) [2] |
| Larger accessory buildings, residential districts | Front 30 ft; side 15-50 ft and rear 20-75 ft depending on district (20/20 ft in R-40 and RS-40); 25% max building coverage [3] |
| Conservation review triggers | Within 100 ft of a wetland, 200 ft of riverfront, or in a flood zone [4] |
| Wetland buffer for minor structures | Sheds up to 140 sq ft no closer than 35 ft to a resource area; other structures 50 ft [5] |
| OKH district size threshold | 120 sq ft or less and 12 ft or less to ridge = Certificate of Exemption [7] |
| OKH district location | Shed front no farther forward than the rear wall of the house [6] |
Setbacks under zoning
Note E to the zoning bylaw's Table of Dimensional Requirements gives small sheds a break: accessory buildings of 150 sq ft or less and one story need only a 6-foot side and rear setback in all districts, but can never be closer than 12 feet to a building on an adjacent parcel [1]. Note E covers only side and rear yards, so the regular 30-foot front setback of the residential districts still applies [3]; the Building Department's Express Shed Permit application repeats Note E and states that all sheds must be located 30 feet from any front lot line [2]. Sheds larger than 150 sq ft or taller than one story follow the district's normal setbacks; reading the Table of Dimensional Requirements (columns: minimum lot size, frontage, front, side and rear yards, maximum building coverage, shape factor), in the R-40 and RS-40 residential districts that is 30 feet front, 20 feet side and 20 feet rear, with total building coverage capped at 25% of the lot; the R-25 district requires 15-foot side yards and the R-87 district 50-foot side and 75-foot rear yards [3]. Corner lots are treated as having two front yards.
Permit
Yarmouth uses an Express Shed Permit application through the Building Department, asking for the shed's size, whether it is new or a replacement, whether the lot is a corner lot, and whether it is in a historic district [2]. The state building code exempts one-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit (see the state section), so ask the Building Department whether its express permit applies to your shed.
Near wetlands
The permit form says conservation review is required for sheds within 100 feet of a wetland, 200 feet of a riverfront, or in a flood zone [4]. Under the Conservation Commission's 2026 wetland regulations, minor structures up to 140 sq ft, such as sheds, may be allowed closer than 50 feet to a resource area but no closer than 35 feet [5].
Old King's Highway Historic District
In the OKH district only one wooden shed is allowed, with at least a 7/12 roof pitch, shingle roof, clapboard or shingle siding, and its front no farther forward than the rear wall of the house [6]. A shed of 120 sq ft or less and no more than 12 feet to the ridge needs a Certificate of Exemption ($20); anything bigger needs a Certificate of Appropriateness ($25) at a committee hearing [7][8].
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Next steps
- Measure your shed's footprint and height and find your zoning district (Building Department, 508-398-2231 ext. 1261).
- Fill out the Express Shed Permit application with a plot plan showing distances to the side, rear and front lot lines and to neighbors' buildings.
- If the shed is within 100 feet of a wetland, 200 feet of a river, or in a flood zone, contact the Conservation Commission first.
- If you are in the Old King's Highway Historic District, file a Certificate of Exemption (120 sq ft or less, 12 ft or less to the ridge) or a Certificate of Appropriateness, with elevation drawings and photos.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Yarmouth, Massachusetts?
- It depends. State code exempts one-story sheds of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit, but Yarmouth's Building Department uses an Express Shed Permit application, so confirm with the department whether you need one. Sheds in the Old King's Highway Historic District or near wetlands need extra approval.
- How close to the property line can a shed be in Yarmouth, Massachusetts?
- A single-story shed of 150 sq ft or less needs 6 feet from the side and rear lot lines, at least 12 feet from any building on the neighbor's lot, and 30 feet from the front lot line. Larger sheds follow the district's regular setbacks, for example 20 feet side and rear in the R-40 and RS-40 districts.
- Can I put a shed near wetlands in Yarmouth, Massachusetts?
- Possibly, with Conservation Commission review, which the permit form requires within 100 feet of a wetland, 200 feet of a riverfront, or in a flood zone. Sheds up to 140 sq ft may go closer than 50 feet to a resource area but no closer than 35 feet.
- What are the shed rules in the Old King's Highway Historic District in Yarmouth, Massachusetts?
- Only one wooden shed is allowed, with at least a 7/12 roof pitch, shingle roof, clapboard or shingle siding, and its front no farther forward than the rear wall of the house. A shed of 120 sq ft or less and 12 feet or less to the ridge needs a $20 Certificate of Exemption; larger ones need a $25 Certificate of Appropriateness.
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
- §203.5 Table of Dimensional Requirements, Note E, Town of Yarmouth Zoning Bylaw (amended through April 28, 2026), p. 38
E. Side and rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings containing one hundred fifty (150) square feet or less and single story, shall be six (6) feet in all districts, but in no case shall said accessory buildings be built closer than twelve (12) feet to any other building on an adjacent parcel.
- Express Shed Permit Application, Express Shed Permit Application (Building Department), p. 1
All sheds are required to be located thirty (30) feet from any front lot line
- §203.5 Table of Dimensional Requirements, Town of Yarmouth Zoning Bylaw (amended through April 28, 2026), p. 37
R-87 87210 200 30 50 75 25 22 R-40 40000 150 30 20 20 25 22 R-25 25000 150 30 15 20 25 22 RS-40 40000 150 30 20 20 25 22
- Express Shed Permit Application, Express Shed Permit Application (Building Department), p. 1
**Conservation review will be required if shed is placed within 100ft of wetland, 200ft from riverfront, or located within a flood zone**
- Wetland Regulations §6.01(2), Town of Yarmouth Wetland Protection Regulations (under Wetlands Bylaw Ch. 143; approved March 19, 2026, published March 24, 2026), p. 60
Minor structures up to 140 square feet total coverage such as sheds, decks, and pervious patios may be allowed closer than 50 feet to a Resource Area but no closer than 35 feet.
- OKH Sheds Criteria, Old King's Highway Historic District - Sheds criteria, p. 1
LOCATION: At least the minimum distance required by the town from the side and rear lot lines. The front of the shed cannot extend farther forward on the lot than the rear wall of the existing house
- OKH Sheds Application Requirements, Old King's Highway Historic District - Sheds criteria, p. 1
If the proposed shed is less than or equal to 120 square feet and no more than 12 feet in height to ridgeline, an application for Certificate of Exemption is required:
- OKH Sheds Application Requirements, Old King's Highway Historic District - Sheds criteria, p. 1
If the proposed shed is greater than 120 square feet or is higher than 12 feet to the ridgeline, an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is required: