Quick Answer — Maricopa County

In unincorporated Maricopa County, sheds under 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are exempt from a building permit — but a zoning clearance is still required for placement, and setback rules apply to every shed regardless of size. Inside Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, or any other incorporated city, you must check that city's own rules.

The Most Important Thing to Know: You May Be in a City, Not the County

Maricopa County is home to more than 25 incorporated cities and towns — Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, and more. Each has its own building department and its own rules. The county building department only has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas — land that isn't inside any city's boundaries.

Because the Phoenix metro is densely developed, the majority of residential addresses in Maricopa County are inside incorporated cities, not in unincorporated county land. Before assuming anything, verify your jurisdiction using the Maricopa County Assessor's parcel search — the parcel record shows whether your property is in the county or a specific city.

Permit Rules: Unincorporated Maricopa County

If your property is in unincorporated Maricopa County (often rural areas in the far West Valley, far East Valley, or northern reaches of the county), Maricopa County Building Services handles your permit.

Shed Size / TypePermit Required?Notes
Under 200 sq ft, no utilitiesNO BUILDING PERMITExempt per Maricopa County's adopted code. Zoning clearance and setback compliance still required.
200 sq ft or overYESFull building permit required through Maricopa County Building Services online portal.
Any size with electricityYESElectrical permit required. Triggers building permit review even on otherwise-exempt shed.
Any size with plumbing or HVACYESPlumbing and mechanical permits required; building permit also required.
Under 200 sq ft on 2+ acres (rural)POSSIBLE EXEMPTIONArizona HB2096 may provide additional exemptions for rural parcels. See section below.
⚠️ Zoning Clearance Is Not Optional
Even if your shed is under 200 sq ft and exempt from a building permit, Maricopa County's zoning ordinance requires a Zoning Clearance before placing any structure. This confirms your shed meets setback rules, lot coverage limits (no more than 30% of the required yard), and other zoning requirements. Without it, you're technically in violation of the zoning ordinance even if no building permit was needed.

City of Phoenix Shed Permit Rules

Phoenix is the most common city in Maricopa County. Phoenix adopts the International Residential Code (IRC) with local amendments.

Shed SizePermit Required?Notes
Under 200 sq ft, no utilities, one storyNOExempt per Phoenix Building Code Section R105.2. Must be used for storage only.
200 sq ft or overYESPermit through Phoenix Development Services. Apply online via the Phoenix permit portal.
Any shed with electricityYESElectrical permit required from Phoenix separately. Also triggers building permit.
Shade structures / ramadas (open sides)VERIFYPhoenix has specific rules for fabric and solid shade structures. Contact Phoenix Building Services.

Arizona HB2096 — Rural Land Exemption

Arizona's House Bill 2096 created an exemption from certain building permit requirements for construction on rural residential land — defined as parcels of 2 acres or more in unincorporated areas that are not adjacent to an incorporated municipality's boundary.

Under HB2096, homeowners on qualifying rural parcels may be exempt from county building permits for small accessory structures. However, this exemption does not override zoning ordinances, setback rules, or HOA restrictions — and it does not apply inside any incorporated city. If you have a large rural property in the far East or West Valley in unincorporated Maricopa County, contact Maricopa County Building Services at (602) 506-3301 to confirm whether HB2096 applies to your parcel.

Setback Requirements — Unincorporated Maricopa County

Maricopa County's Zoning Ordinance (Section 1106.2) sets these rules for detached accessory buildings:

  • Rear and side yard: No closer than 3 feet to any side or rear lot line
  • Front yard: Accessory structures must be located behind the front line of the primary structure — sheds in front yards are not permitted
  • Corner lots: Accessory buildings must not be closer to the street than half the depth of the required front yard setback
  • Yard coverage: Detached accessory structures cannot occupy more than 30% of any required yard
  • Height: Accessory structures with walls over 10 feet or more than one story require engineered review

City of Phoenix Setbacks (Typical Residential Zones)

  • Rear yard: 5 feet minimum from rear property line
  • Side yard: 3 feet minimum from interior side property line; 15–20 feet from street side on corner lots
  • Must be placed in rear or side yard — not in front yard
💡 Alley Properties
If your property has a rear alley access, setbacks from the alley line may be different from setbacks from a regular property line. In some Maricopa County zones, structures may need to be 10 feet from the alley line. Verify with your county or city building department if your property has rear alley access.

How to Apply: Unincorporated Maricopa County

  1. Verify your jurisdiction — confirm your property is in unincorporated Maricopa County using the Assessor's parcel search at mcassessor.maricopa.gov
  2. Check for zoning clearance need — even permit-exempt sheds require zoning compliance. Contact Maricopa County Building Services at (602) 506-3301 to confirm process for your parcel
  3. For permit-required sheds: Apply through the Maricopa County Building Services online portal at maricopa.gov/5701/Online-Permitting
  4. Prepare documents: Site plan (plot plan showing property lines and shed location with dimensions from lot lines), shed dimensions and height, foundation type, utility information
  5. Standard Plan option: If you're using a common pre-manufactured shed model, the county's Standard Plan process (for structures under 1,200 sq ft) may simplify and speed up review — one plan review fee covers unlimited permits for that model for 3 years
  6. Pay fees and schedule inspection

How to Apply: City of Phoenix

  1. Apply online through the City of Phoenix Citizen Access Portal at aca.phoenix.gov
  2. Upload site plan, shed dimensions, and utility information
  3. Phoenix permit fees for small residential accessory structures typically range from $100–$300
  4. Over-the-counter (same-day) review is often available for simple permit-exempt shed size confirmations and small structure permits

Permit Costs — Maricopa County Area

JurisdictionTypical Fee RangeNotes
Maricopa County Building Services$150–$350Based on construction valuation for shed over 200 sq ft
City of Phoenix$100–$300Small accessory structure permit; larger structures priced by valuation
City of Mesa$75–$250Varies by size and construction type
Electrical permit (any jurisdiction)$75–$200Required for any electrical work, billed separately

Does My HOA Have Additional Rules?

Many Maricopa County communities — including Ahwatukee, Anthem, DC Ranch, Agritopia, Power Ranch, and hundreds of others — have HOAs with specific shed rules. Common HOA restrictions include:

  • Prohibition on metal or plastic sheds visible from the street
  • Requirements that sheds match the home's roofline or exterior material
  • Maximum shed height restrictions (often 8 feet)
  • Requirement for HOA architectural review approval before installation
  • Restrictions on shed placement in side yards visible from the street

HOA approval is separate from — and in addition to — any county or city permit. Always get HOA approval in writing before ordering or installing a shed.

🚫 A Note on Enforcement in Maricopa County
Maricopa County and Phoenix actively enforce zoning and building code violations. Complaints from neighbors trigger inspections, and unpermitted structures on record will appear in any title search when you sell your home. The Phoenix metro has one of the higher rates of HOA enforcement in the country — getting both permits and HOA approval is essential.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Permit rules change. Always verify current requirements with your local building department before beginning construction. Information verified against Maricopa County Building Services and City of Phoenix Development Services as of May 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions — Maricopa County Shed Permits

A Phoenix mailing address doesn't necessarily mean you're inside Phoenix city limits. Many addresses in the greater Phoenix area have "Phoenix" as the city name in their mailing address but are actually inside Scottsdale, Tempe, or even unincorporated Maricopa County. Use the Maricopa County Assessor parcel search at mcassessor.maricopa.gov to look up your parcel — the record will list the jurisdiction (City of Phoenix, unincorporated Maricopa County, etc.).
The exemption in unincorporated Maricopa County is for structures under 200 sq ft — meaning a 10×20 shed is exactly 200 sq ft and would not be exempt (the exemption is "less than" 200 sq ft). A 10×19 (190 sq ft) would qualify. In Phoenix, the exemption is also for sheds under 200 sq ft. A 10×20 shed requires a permit in both jurisdictions. The distinction matters — make sure you're measuring the correct footprint including any overhanging eaves if they're part of the roofed area.
In most Arizona jurisdictions, the permit trigger is based on size and utility connections — not whether the shed is on a permanent foundation. A portable shed on wood skids that exceeds the size threshold still requires a permit. However, some counties and cities treat "truly temporary" structures differently. Contact Maricopa County Building Services at (602) 506-3301 for a definitive answer for your specific structure type before assuming a portable shed is exempt.
HB2096 (Arizona's rural land building exemption law) may exempt small structures on rural parcels of 2+ acres in unincorporated areas that are not adjacent to a municipality. However, even if it applies, you still need to comply with zoning rules, setbacks, and HOA restrictions. The law also doesn't apply inside any incorporated city. Given its complexity, we recommend calling Maricopa County Building Services at (602) 506-3301 to confirm whether HB2096 applies to your specific parcel before proceeding without a permit.
For simple accessory structure permits (shed under 1,200 sq ft in unincorporated county; standard size in Phoenix), over-the-counter review is often available — meaning approval the same day or within 1–3 business days. The Standard Plan process in Maricopa County can further streamline permit issuance for common pre-manufactured shed models. Larger or more complex projects go through full plan review, which typically takes 10–15 business days.

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