Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Monroe County?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Monroe County 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 Unincorporated Monroe County: County operates multiple permitting offices: Key Largo (102050 Overseas Hwy, 305-453-8800), Marathon (2798 Overseas Hwy Ste 300, 305-289-2501), Big Pine Key (179 Key Deer Blvd, 305-289-2877), Stock Island/Key West (5503 College Rd Ste 203, 305-295-3990), Ocean Reef (11601 CR 905, 305-453-8765). County seat: Key West.
Florida and local notes for Unincorporated Monroe County
Monroe County's own permitting office is the Monroe County Building and Permitting Department, reachable on 305-289-2501 at https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/149/Building-and-Permitting. Its online permit portal is https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1278/Online-Permitting-Services. 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.
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
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Monroe County?
- Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Monroe County is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Monroe County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Monroe 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.