Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Hernando County?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Hernando County comes down to the details of your project.
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 Unincorporated Hernando County: Online permitting via Civic Access (Tyler EnerGov).
Florida and local notes for Unincorporated Hernando County
Hernando County's own permitting office is the Hernando County Building Division, reachable on 352-754-4050 at https://www.hernandocounty.us/building-development/building/. Its online permit portal is https://www.hernandocounty.us/CivicAccess. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed. Hernando County Code Sec. 8-98 (local FBC 105.2) exempts one-story detached tool and storage sheds of 120 sq. ft. or less at grade from a building permit. Under Ordinance 26-38 (April 2026), sheds with impervious roof coverings of 120 sq. ft. or less also need no zoning permit, and wall height for these sheds rose to 8 feet. An exempt shed must still meet zoning setbacks, sit on the same parcel as the principal use, stay out of easements and rights-of-way, meet floodplain rules in a flood zone, and not be used as living space. Adding electrical, plumbing, or concrete still requires building permits. In Hernando's residential districts, detached accessory structures go in the side or rear yard at least five feet from side and rear property lines, and in a secondary front yard must meet the principal building's front setback. The Accessory Structure Affidavit on the shed application states that, under Ordinance 2016-17, no more than one detached accessory building plus one detached garage is allowed on the parcel in the listed districts.
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
- Hernando County Shed Permit Application (Zoning), notarized, with a colored aerial or survey site planSometimes required
- Accessory Structure Affidavit in the PDPSF, R1B, R1C, AR, and R2.5 districtsSometimes required
- Hernando County building permit application (Tyler online permitting portal) for a shed over 120 sq. ft. or with electrical, plumbing, or concreteSometimes required
- Notice of Commencement when the project is over $5,000Sometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Tie-down or foundation inspection where required
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Hernando County?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Hernando County comes down to the details of your project. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Hernando County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Hernando County 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.