Shed permit in Chandler, AZ
It depends — some shed work in Chandler needs a permit, some doesn't.
You can skip a building permit for a one-story detached shed or accessory building only if its floor area is 120 square feet or less and it is no taller than 7 feet at the highest point. You may go up to a 9-foot height if you add setback, at a rate of 2 extra feet of setback for each extra foot of height. Once the shed passes 120 square feet, you need a permit. Zoning rules for storage sheds and accessory buildings still apply either way.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 120 |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Chandler sets permit fees by City Council resolution, not in the code. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Building item 1 (29-6.5), with zoning in 35-2203 |
| Based on | 2024 International Residential Code as adopted and amended by City of Chandler (sec. 29-6.5) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Chandler building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Chandler's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | — | Depends | Over 120 |
| Gilbert | 7 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Tempe | 9 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Mesa | 11 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Avondale | 28 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Scottsdale | 28 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
Other work in Chandler
Questions people ask
My shed is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Chandler can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.