Prince William County Outlines Essential Steps for Residential Shed Projects

To help homeowners successfully navigate property improvements, Development Services’ Land Development Division has outlined the necessary requirements for installing residential storage sheds. While small sheds are exempt from building permits, zoning approval is mandatory for all sheds, regardless of size, to ensure they comply with local setback and placement regulations.

“Our goal is to make the zoning approval and permitting process as transparent as possible for our customers,” said Ricky O’Connor, Acting Director, Department of Development Services. “By securing the proper approvals upfront, homeowners can protect their investment and ensure their project meets all safety and community standards.”

Before you build, we’re here to guide you!  Find all the information at pwcva.gov and follow the guidelines on how to obtain zoning approval for your new shed.

Key Rules & Constraints

• Guidelines: A Guide to Residential Sheds & Detached Accessory Structures.
• Zoning Approval: Required for ALL sheds, regardless of size.
• Required Survey: A full-size, to-scale copy of the house location survey plat with the proposed shed location and dimensions clearly marked.
• Location Setbacks: In most rear yards, sheds must be at least five feet from the side and rear property lines.
• Building Permit: A building permit is required if the shed exceeds 256 square feet in area.
• Trade Permits: If you're adding electricity or plumbing, you’ll need specific trade permits even for small sheds.

Apply Online: Customers are encouraged to use ePortal to submit applications. ePortal allows users to track their application status, pay fees, and schedule necessary inspections.

Ensuring your structure is safe and meets County standards keeps your property value up and your neighbors happy!

For more information on sheds or other zoning approval requirements, email [email protected] or call (703) 792-6830. For questions regarding building permits and submission requirements, visit pwcva.gov, call (703) 792-4040 or email [email protected].