Raleigh Accessory Structure and Shed Permit Requirements
In the City of Raleigh, virtually all accessory structures, including sheds, require a formal permit and review process regardless of their size. While the City of Raleigh defers specific building permit exemptions to the North Carolina Administration and Enforcement Requirement Code, the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance mandates that all accessory structures (except playsets and flagpoles) must obtain either a Tier One Site Plan approval or a Miscellaneous Zoning Permit.
Permit Requirements for Accessory Structures
Under the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance, the construction of any accessory structure requires a permit to ensure compliance with setback, height, and usage standards. The type of permit required depends on the complexity of the project:
- Tier One Site Plan Review: Required for the construction of most accessory structures in the City of Raleigh [Section 10.2.8.B.1.a.viii].
- Miscellaneous Zoning Permit: Required for structures and uses that do not trigger a full site plan review, provided they are not specifically exempted [Section 10.2.7.A.2].
- Building Permit: All construction in the City of Raleigh must conform to the North Carolina Building Code. A formal building permit is generally required for any structure, with specific requirements and plan submittals mandatory if the structure is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or if the estimated cost exceeds $20,000.00 [Section 11.4.1].
Specific Exemptions
The City of Raleigh identifies only two types of residential accessory structures that are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Miscellaneous Zoning Permit or a Site Plan Review due to their "de minimis" impact:
- Playsets: As defined in the City of Raleigh UDO, these are freestanding play structures like swing sets or slides [Section 10.2.7.A.3.a].
- Flagpoles [Section 10.2.7.A.3.a].
Dimensional Standards for Sheds and Structures
While a permit is required, the City of Raleigh provides relaxed setback standards for smaller sheds and accessory structures. In City of Raleigh Residential Districts, structures that are 150 square feet or less and 10 feet in height or less qualify for a reduced 5-foot setback from side and rear property lines [Section 6.7.2.C.1].
Maximum Floor Area Standards
The maximum allowable size for all combined accessory structures on a single lot in the City of Raleigh is determined by the total size of the lot.
| Lot Size | Maximum Combined Floor Area (E1) | Maximum Combined Floor Area (E2) |
|---|---|---|
| Greater than 40,000 sf | 1,200 sf | 50% of the principal structure floor area |
| 10,000 sf to 40,000 sf | 1,000 sf | 50% of the principal structure floor area |
| 4,000 sf to 9,999 sf | 800 sf | 50% of the principal structure floor area |
| Less than 4,000 sf | 600 sf | 50% of the principal structure floor area |
Note: The largest area allowed within a column shall control [Section 6.7.2.E].
Setback Standards in Residential Districts
For accessory structures larger than 150 square feet or taller than 10 feet, the following minimum setbacks apply based on the lot size in City of Raleigh Residential Districts.
| Lot Size | From Side Street (F2) | From Side Lot Line (F3) | From Rear Lot Line (F4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater than 40,000 sf | 15 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| 10,000 sf to 40,000 sf | 15 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| 4,000 sf to 9,999 sf | 10 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| Less than 4,000 sf | 10 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet |
Note: All accessory structures must be located at or behind the front wall of the principal house [Section 6.7.2.F].
Height and Location Restrictions
- Overall Height: The maximum height for any accessory structure in a City of Raleigh Residential District is 26 feet [Section 6.7.2.G].
- Separation: Any detached accessory structure must be located at least 6 feet away from any other building or structure on the same lot [Section 6.7.2.B].
- Breezeways: If a shed is connected to the house by a breezeway, it is considered "detached" only if the breezeway is no more than 6 feet wide and no more than 16 feet in height [Section 6.7.2.B].
Sections Cited
- Section 6.7.2. Accessory Structures
- Section 10.2.7. Miscellaneous Zoning Permits
- Section 10.2.8. Site Plan Review
- Section 11.4.1. Permit Requirements
- Section 12.2. Defined Terms