Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fort Lauderdale 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.
Local detail for Fort Lauderdale: Online permitting via LauderBuild (Accela Citizen Access).
Florida and local notes for Fort Lauderdale
Even a modest shed is reviewed for HVHZ wind resistance and anchoring here, so a structure sold as exempt elsewhere in Florida may still need approval. Your city issues the permit, not the county. Broward's 31 municipal building departments each run their own permitting and inspections, while the county Board of Rules and Appeals sets code interpretation and the countywide amendments they all work from. The Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code, published by the Board of Rules and Appeals under the county charter, apply on top of the state code everywhere in the county. Individual cities can add their own amendments as well, so confirm both. Fort Lauderdale's Permitting FAQ states that a building permit is required to install a shed, and that sheds in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone need sealed engineer drawings, a Florida Product Approval, or a Miami-Dade NOA. ULDR Sec. 47-19.2.EE limits residential sheds to 100 square feet, 12 feet on any side, and 10 feet tall, with one shed per development site. A shed may sit in the side or rear yard no closer than 5 feet to a property line. Where the lot abuts a street or waterway, the zoning district's full yard requirement applies instead. The Accessory Structure checklist routes the permit through Structural and Zoning review, plus Engineering if the shed is in an easement.
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
- Product approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for HVHZ rated materialsSometimes required
- Broward County Uniform Building Permit Application (building permit)Likely required
- Signed and sealed shop drawings, Florida Product Approval, or Miami-Dade NOA for the shedLikely required
- Current survey (signed and sealed, or a copy with a notarized Zoning Affidavit) and site plan with setbacksLikely required
- Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit if those systems are installedSometimes required
- Completed Accessory Structure Permit ChecklistLikely required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Anchoring or foundation inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fort Lauderdale?
- Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fort Lauderdale is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Fort Lauderdale?
- The local building department for Fort Lauderdale 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.