Do You Need a Permit to Build a Shed in Arizona?
- Built 4 U Sheds
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
It depends. Arizona has no statewide building code. Each city and county sets its own rules, which means the permit requirements for a shed in Phoenix are technically different from those in Scottsdale, Mesa, or Gilbert, even if your neighbors' houses are the same age and the same style.
Here's what actually governs whether you need a permit, and what you need to check before you build.
The 200 Square Foot Rule (And Why It's Not the Whole Story)
Across most of the Phoenix metro, the common threshold is 200 square feet. Sheds under 200 sq ft that have no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are generally exempt from a building permit in Phoenix, Mesa, unincorporated Maricopa County, and most Valley cities.
A few things that trip people up:
"Under 200" means under 200. A 10×20 shed is exactly 200 square feet and does not qualify for the exemption in most jurisdictions. A 10×19 does. Measure carefully, and check whether eaves count toward the footprint in your city.
Permit-exempt doesn't mean rule-free. Even a shed that doesn't need a building permit still has to comply with zoning rules — setbacks from property lines, lot coverage limits, maximum height, and minimum distance from the main structure. In Phoenix, for example, the city requires zoning compliance even for permit-exempt sheds. You can't just drop one anywhere on your lot.
Add electricity and you need a permit. The building permit exemption evaporates the moment you run power to the shed. An electrical permit is required regardless of the shed's size. If you're planning to add lighting, outlets, or a subpanel, plan for permits from the start.
Scottsdale plays by different rules. Scottsdale requires plan approval from its Planning Services department for all accessory structures, even those under 200 square feet. The city's setback requirements also scale with height — a shed under 10 feet needs a 2-foot setback, but add height and the setback requirement grows with it. If you're in Scottsdale, don't assume the standard Valley rules apply.
Your City Is Not the Only Authority
Even if your city doesn't require a permit for your shed, you may still need approval from two other sources — and skipping either one can create serious problems.
Your HOA
If you live in a community with a homeowners association, your CC&Rs apply independently of city rules. An HOA can be significantly more restrictive than your city's building code — and many Phoenix-area HOAs are. Common HOA restrictions on sheds include:
Complete prohibition on visible storage sheds
Requirements that the shed match the home's exterior materials and colors
Size limits well below the city's 200-square-foot permit threshold
Specific restrictions on placement (rear yard only, not visible from the street)
Critically, getting a city permit does not satisfy your HOA, and HOA approval does not satisfy your city. They are completely separate tracks. You need to clear both independently — and you should get written HOA architectural committee approval before you purchase or build anything.
For a full breakdown of how HOA rules affect shed installation in Arizona, read our guide: HOAs and Sheds in Arizona: Your Complete Guide to Navigating Community Rules.
Maricopa County (If You're Unincorporated)
If your property is in unincorporated Maricopa County — not inside any city's boundaries — the county has jurisdiction, not a city. Unincorporated county rules generally follow the same 200-square-foot threshold, but a zoning clearance is still required for placement and setback rules still apply. If you're unsure whether your property is incorporated or unincorporated, your county assessor's parcel number lookup will tell you.
What Happens If You Skip the Permit
Building without a required permit creates real problems that surface when you least expect them:
When you sell. A shed that should have been permitted shows up on a home inspection and can delay or kill a sale, or require you to remove the structure entirely.
Insurance claims. An unpermitted structure may not be covered under your homeowner's policy if it's damaged.
HOA enforcement. An unapproved structure that violates CC&Rs can result in fines and a forced removal order — at your expense.
The permit process for a small shed is not complicated or expensive. It is considerably less painful than removing a finished structure after the fact.
The Short Version: What to Check Before You Build
What city or jurisdiction is your property in? Unincorporated county and incorporated cities have different rules.
What are your city's specific rules? Look up the building department for your city — don't assume the standard Phoenix rules apply in Scottsdale or a neighboring city.
What size is your shed, and does it include utilities? Under 200 sq ft with no electrical = likely permit-exempt in most Valley cities. Over 200 sq ft or adding power = permit required.
What are your setback requirements? Even permit-exempt sheds must comply with zoning. Check distance from property lines, neighboring structures, and the main house.
Do you have an HOA? If yes, review your CC&Rs and get written architectural approval before you do anything else.
At Built 4 U Sheds, we work with homeowners across the Phoenix metro every day and we know how permit and HOA requirements vary across cities and communities. If you're not sure what applies to your property, reach out before you start planning — we can help you figure out what you're working with.
