Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Tampa?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Tampa 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.
Florida and local notes for Tampa
Hillsborough County's own permitting office is the Hillsborough County Development Services Department, reachable on (813) 272-5600 at https://hcfl.gov/businesses/permits-and-records. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/HCFL/Default.aspx. 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. Tampa exempts a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed from a building permit only when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; anything larger needs an Accessory Structure permit. The 120 square foot exemption covers only the structure itself, so running electrical or plumbing to the shed still requires its own Tampa permit, and zoning setback and lot-coverage rules apply even to exempt sheds. In a FEMA flood zone, accessory structures face additional flood-resistant construction limits, so verify the flood zone before placing a shed.
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
- Accessory Structure permit application through Accela Citizen Access (for sheds over the exempt size)Sometimes required
- Site plan showing the structure location, setbacks, and lot dimensionsSometimes required
- Separate electrical or plumbing permit if power or water is run to the shedSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Setback / foundation inspection (for permitted structures)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Tampa?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Tampa 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 Tampa?
- The local building department for Tampa 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.