Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Temple Terrace?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace
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. Temple Terrace does not require a permit to install or move a premanufactured accessory structure of 151 square feet or less, meaning one that arrives preassembled. Any accessory structure assembled on site needs a permit, and all accessory structures must meet zoning rules. Under LDC 12-508, a detached shed must be in the rear yard, at least 5 feet from every property line and 3 feet from the house, with 1 more foot of setback for each foot of height over 11 feet until a 10 foot setback is reached. LDC 12-508 bars any permanent building or structure from a publicly dedicated easement, and on corner lots no detached accessory structure may sit forward of the house's building line.
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
- Temple Terrace Building Permit ApplicationSometimes required
- Survey showing the proposed structure (2 copies for residential)Sometimes required
- Elevation drawings, truss drawings, and Lot Summary SheetSometimes required
- Florida product approval numbersSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Foundation or tie-down inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Temple Terrace?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace?
- The local building department for Temple Terrace 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.