Shed Permits & Setbacks by State

General orientation, not legal advice. Permit and zoning rules are set locally and change over time — always confirm the specifics with your city or county before you build.

• Shed permits in Tennessee Shed permit rules in Tennessee vary by county. 200 sq ft is the state baseline, but foundations, electrical, and zoning setbacks change it. Confirm locally.
• Shed permits in Georgia Do you need a permit for a shed in Georgia? How the 200 sq ft rule, local setbacks, and floodplain permits work — plus exactly what to confirm locally.
• Shed permits in Alabama Shed permit and setback rules in Alabama are set city-by-city and county-by-county. What triggers a permit, common setbacks, and what to confirm locally.
• Shed permits in South Carolina Do you need a permit for a shed in South Carolina? The 200 vs 120 sq ft rule, local setbacks, and when a permit is required. Confirm with your county.
• Shed permits in North Carolina Shed permit rules in North Carolina use a 12-ft dimension trigger, not square footage. Setbacks, zoning permits, and trade permits explained. Confirm locally.
• Shed permits in Virginia As of this writing, Virginia generally exempts sheds up to 256 sq ft from a building permit — but local zoning setbacks still apply. Confirm with your county.

Building for a permit application? See building plans for permits, or find your local Cook dealer.