If you’re planning to add a shed to your property in Florida, one of the first questions you’ll face is: do I need a permit? The answer depends entirely on where you live. Florida has no single statewide rule – every county sets its own requirements, and some counties are dramatically more homeowner-friendly than others.
This guide covers every county we serve. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Whether you decide to permit your shed or not, we build either way – and we’re happy to walk you through all your options.
Handcrafted Sheds & More has built over 1,500 sheds across Central Florida since 2017. We know these counties, their building departments, and their processes inside and out.
| Orange County | Permit required for all sheds, regardless of size. Even structures under 120 sq ft require a zoning permit. Engineer-sealed plans required. |
| Osceola County | Permit required for all sheds, regardless of size. No exemptions. Boundary survey required. Engineer-sealed plans required. |
| Polk County | Permit required for all sheds. No county-level size exemptions. (City of Lakeland exception: sheds under 5 ft tall and 250 cubic ft may be exempt within city limits.) |
| Seminole County | Permit required for all sheds. Online ePlan submission required. Historic District properties need Historic Preservation Board approval first. |
| Lake County | Permit required for sheds over 150 sq ft. Sheds that are 1 story, under 12 ft tall, and 150 sq ft or less may be exempt in unincorporated areas. |
| Brevard County | Permit required for sheds 100 sq ft or larger. Sheds under 100 sq ft with no utilities and not attached to the home may not require a permit. |
| Volusia County | NO permit required for sheds up to 480 sq ft in unincorporated areas (effective June 5, 2025). One of the most homeowner-friendly policies in Florida. Permit required for sheds over 480 sq ft. |
| Hillsborough County | Permit required for sheds 150 sq ft or larger. Residential sheds under 150 sq ft do not require a building permit. |
| Marion County | Permit required for all sheds and structures, regardless of size. Rural and agricultural properties may have different requirements. |
If you live in unincorporated Volusia County — which includes most of the Daytona Beach, Deltona, and New Smyrna Beach areas — you have access to one of the most generous shed permit exemptions in all of Florida.
As of June 5, 2025, the Volusia County Council eliminated the building permit requirement for residential sheds of 480 square feet or smaller. That’s a 20×24 shed — permit free. No waiting. No engineer drawings. No county fees. We can build your shed this week.
This exemption covers unincorporated Volusia County. If your address is within city limits, city rules may apply — call us at (407) 967-3605 and we’ll confirm for your specific address.
Whether or not to get a permit is ultimately your decision as the property owner. Our job is to give you the facts so you can make the best choice for your situation. We build sheds with or without permits — and we respect whatever you decide.
Reasons homeowners choose to permit their shed:
Reasons homeowners choose to skip the permit:
Not sure what’s right for your situation? Call us and we’ll walk you through it with no pressure.
When you decide to permit your shed, we offer two options:
We handle absolutely everything. You don’t make a single phone call to the county. We take care of it all from start to finish.
What’s included:
Cost:
You act as the owner-builder and pay the county fees directly. We guide you through every step so you never feel lost.
What’s included:
Cost:
Not sure which option is right for you? Call us at (407) 967-3605 and we’ll walk you through it.
If you want to add electricity, plumbing, or air conditioning to your shed, additional sub-permits are required in all Florida counties — regardless of the size of the shed. This applies even in counties with size exemptions like Volusia County. We can advise you on what sub-permits are needed based on your specific plans and location.
If you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association, HOA approval may be required in addition to — or sometimes instead of — a county building permit. Florida law (Florida Statute §720.3045) has expanded homeowner rights regarding backyard structures, but each HOA’s governing documents are different.
We work with HOA communities across Central Florida every week. We provide full construction drawings and documentation for HOA submission and can advise you on what your specific HOA is likely to require. Call us before you buy — we’ll help you understand what’s possible for your property.
We build custom sheds and handle permits in the following counties:
Orange County · Osceola County · Polk County · Seminole County · Lake County · Brevard County · Volusia County · Hillsborough County · Marion County
And the following cities:
Orlando · Kissimmee · Sanford · Lakeland · Winter Haven · Clermont · Tampa · Ocala · Daytona Beach · St. Cloud · Deltona · Leesburg · Gainesville · Melbourne · New Smyrna Beach · and surrounding communities throughout Central Florida
In many cases, yes. Volusia County allows sheds up to 480 sq ft without a permit (as of June 2025). Hillsborough County allows sheds under 150 sq ft without a permit. Brevard County allows sheds under 100 sq ft without a permit. Lake County allows sheds under 150 sq ft without a permit in unincorporated areas. Counties like Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Marion require a permit for all sheds regardless of size. We build with or without a permit — the choice is yours.
Typically 2 to 6 weeks depending on the county and the completeness of your application. Counties like Polk offer virtual inspections that can speed up the process. We know how to submit complete, accurate applications the first time — which is the biggest factor in approval speed.
County/city permit fees vary by location and are set by the local government — generally ranging from $50 to $300 or more. In addition to county fees, our engineer-sealed plans cost $350 for standard sheds and up to $600 for custom or complex designs. Our Full Permit Service fee is 15% of the shed price.
Florida law allows homeowners to act as their own contractor for their primary residence. As an owner-builder, you are responsible for obtaining the permit and paying the county fees directly. We provide all required plans and documentation and guide you through every step of the submission process.
A properly permitted shed is on record with the county, can be covered by homeowner’s insurance, and is fully disclosed during any future property sale. Whether that matters to you depends on your situation — we’re happy to talk through the pros and cons with no pressure.
Call us, configure your shed online, or book a free consultation. We’ll confirm your permit requirements, explain your options, and give you a clear quote with no surprises.
Phone: (407) 967-3605
Email: shedcrafterscentralflorida@gmail.com
Configure your shed: https://handcraftedshedsandmore.shedpro.co/
Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/shedcrafterscentralflorida/30min
Handcrafted Sheds & More · (407) 967-3605 · shedcrafterscentralflorida@gmail.com · handcraftedshedsandmore.com · Serving Central Florida since 2017. All sheds built on-site. Price includes installation within 1 hour of Orlando. Travel fees may apply beyond that range.