Custom Sheds & Permit Requirements in Polk County, FL

If you’re a homeowner in Polk County, Florida looking to add a custom shed, Handcrafted Sheds & More is your local expert. We’ve built over 600 sheds across Polk County and we offer two ways to handle the permit process for you.

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Do You Need a Permit for a Shed in Polk County?

Yes. Polk County requires a building permit for all sheds, regardless of size. There are no size exemptions at the county level.

Note for Lakeland residents: The City of Lakeland has a specific exemption for sheds that are unattached, not taller than 5 feet, and do not exceed 250 cubic feet. If your shed exceeds either threshold, a permit is required.

For most sheds the process requires:

  • Building permit application through Polk County’s online permitting portal
  • Site plan showing shed location and setbacks
  • Engineer-sealed construction plans
  • Tie-down anchors meeting Florida Building Code requirements
  • Virtual or in-person inspections

How We Handle the Permit Process

When your shed requires a permit, we offer two options depending on how involved you want to be:

OPTION 1 — Full Permit Service

We handle absolutely everything. You don’t have to deal with the county, fill out a single form, or make a single phone call. We take care of it all from start to finish.

What’s included:

  • Florida Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) stamped and sealed construction drawings
  • All permit documentation prepared and submitted correctly
  • We handle all communication with the county or city building department
  • We coordinate all required inspections
  • Final inspection approval obtained before the project is considered complete

Cost:

  • Engineer-sealed plans: $350 for standard sheds / up to $600 for custom or complex sheds
  • Full Permit Service fee: 15% of the shed price
  • County/city permit fees: Set by the local government and paid by the owner (these fees vary and can change)
  • Note: Any additional permits, reviews, surveys, or special requirements beyond the standard permit are the responsibility of the owner

OPTION 2 — Owner Builder Permit Assistance

You take on the role of owner-builder, which means you are responsible for obtaining the permit and paying the county/city fees directly. We guide you through every step of the process so you never feel lost or overwhelmed.

What’s included:

  • Engineer-sealed construction drawings provided by us
  • We walk you through every document you need to fill out
  • We help you submit everything correctly to avoid delays or rejections
  • We are available to answer questions throughout the entire process

Cost:

  • Engineer-sealed plans: $350 for standard sheds / up to $600 for custom or complex sheds
  • County/city permit fees: Paid directly by you to the local government

 

Not sure which option is right for you? Call us and we’ll walk you through it.

Custom Sheds We Build in Polk County

Gable Shed, Gambrel Shed, Lean-To Shed, Shed With Front Porch, Shed With Side Porch — all fully customizable.

Custom gable shed built on-site in Central Florida.

Gable Shed

Classic design, maximum storage, available in any size.

gambrel

Gambrel Shed

Barn-style roof with extra headroom and loft space.

leanto

Lean-To Shed

Perfect for tight side yards.

front porch

Shed With Front Porch

Curb appeal and covered outdoor space.

9 lite door

Shed With Side Porch

Covered side access.

Interior view of a custom shed built on-site in Orlando featuring solid wood framing.

Built On-Site in One Day

  • No fence removal required
  • Engineer-sealed plans included
  • One day build
  • Payment at completion only
Delivery

Cities We Serve in Polk County

Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Auburndale, Lake Alfred, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, and all surrounding communities.

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Financing & Rent-to-Own Available

  • Rent-to-Own through RTO National — no credit check required, starting as low as $99/month
  • Traditional Financing through Backyard Finance — soft credit check, fast approval

Handcrafted Sheds & More serves all of Polk County, FL. All sheds built on-site. Price includes installation within 1 hour of Orlando.