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Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Marion County?

Permit may be required

It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Marion 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.

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

Local detail for Unincorporated Marion County: Marion County Building Safety issues permits for unincorporated Marion County. Online permitting via Civic Access (permits.marionfl.org), live Nov. 12, 2025, handling Building, Development Review, Driveway, Right-of-Way and Zoning permits. Current standard: Florida Building Code, 8th edition.

Florida and local notes for Unincorporated Marion County

Marion County's own permitting office is the Marion County Building Safety office, reachable on (352) 438-2400 at https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/building-safety. Its online permit portal is https://permits.marionfl.org. 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. Unincorporated Marion County addresses are permitted by Marion County Building Safety (2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-438-2400), and all permit documents are submitted electronically through the Civic Access portal. Marion County Code Sec. 5.5-33(g)(2)(f) requires a permit for Florida DCA prefabricated sheds and prebuilt temporary structures such as gazebos over 168 square feet, and the county fee schedule lists a pre-manufactured shed permit for sheds of 100 square feet and larger. Under LDC Sec. 4.2.6(C)(8), accessory structures go in the rear or side yard, and on properties of one acre or less they need at least 8 feet of rear and side setback. LDC Sec. 4.3.27 lets a shed, storage building, or carport no larger than 12 by 12 feet sit inside the side or rear setback only with a notarized agreement from the adjacent owner filed with Growth Services before placement.

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
  • Marion County Building Safety permit application, filed online through the Civic Access portal (permits.marionfl.org)Likely required
  • Manufacturer's engineered, sealed anchoring and construction drawings meeting 130/140 mph wind loads, or a site-built plan citing FBC-ResidentialLikely required
  • Site plan with distances to property lines, septic, and wellLikely required
  • Individual stormwater drainage plan (Marion Code Sec. 5.5-33)Likely required
  • Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, signed and notarized in person at Building SafetySometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Foundation or slab inspection
  • Framing and anchoring inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Tie-down or foundation inspection

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Marion County?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Marion 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 Marion County?
The local building department for Unincorporated Marion 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.