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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Melbourne?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Melbourne is no exception.

Florida has no statewide small-shed exemption. The widely repeated rule that a shed under 120 square feet needs no permit comes from the model International Codes, and Florida did not adopt it: section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building exempts only specified gas, mechanical and plumbing work, with no category exempting detached accessory structures. Where a size threshold exists it is a local ordinance, and it genuinely differs, so ask your building department for the line that applies at your address. Any shed with electricity, plumbing or a permanent foundation needs a permit regardless of size, and zoning setbacks, flood zone rules and wind anchoring apply even when no building permit is required.

Get the checklist for your shed or accessory structure in Melbourne. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Local detail for Melbourne: Building Section is within the Code Compliance Division; located at City Hall. Online permitting via EnerGov self-service.

Florida and local notes for Melbourne

Brevard County's own permitting office is the Brevard County Building Permits office, reachable on 321-633-2187 at https://www.brevardfl.gov/PlanningAndDevelopment/BuildingPermits/BrevardCountyBuildingPermits. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/brevard/Default.aspx. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, this is the office that will handle the job. Brevard County publishes its wind speed requirements as a set of maps, one per Risk Category, that you search by street address. Most houses are Risk Category 2. Screen enclosures are explicitly Risk Category 1, which is a lower design requirement than the house they attach to. Be aware the county's own map instructions still tell you to install Microsoft Silverlight, which no current browser supports, so in practice you may need to call the Building Department on 321-633-2187 to get the design wind speed for your address. Melbourne City Code Appendix B, Article VII, Section 1(C) requires a building permit before an accessory structure is built or placed, and the city states that accessory structure permits are city ordinance permits that the HB 803 exemption does not remove. On residential lots under half an acre, the code allows at most three accessory structures, 600 square feet for any one, and 900 square feet combined, with a 15-foot height limit for non-dwelling accessory structures. Outside the AEU and REU districts, a shed must sit behind the house or be screened from the street by a solid or opaque fence, at least 5 feet from side and rear lines (or the district setback if less), and not on an easement. An existing shed on an existing concrete pad may be replaced in the same spot with no increase in square footage, as long as the pad is not in a public drainage or utility easement. This is a zoning allowance, not a permit exemption.

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
  • Structure dimensions or manufacturer drawingsSometimes required
  • Anchoring or tie-down detailsSometimes required
  • Permit or zoning applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacks and distance to lot linesLikely required
  • Anchoring or tie-down details for wind loadSometimes required
  • Design wind speed for the parcel and its Risk CategorySometimes required
  • City of Melbourne permit application submitted online through EnerGovLikely required
  • Survey showing the shed location and setbacksLikely required
  • Proof of ownership (deed or tax statement) and estimated valueLikely required
  • Separate electrical permit if power is run to the shedSometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Foundation or slab inspection
  • Framing and anchoring inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Inspections listed on the permit in the EnerGov portal

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Melbourne?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Melbourne is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Melbourne?
The local building department for Melbourne handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.