Shed permit in Gilbert, AZ
It depends — some shed work in Gilbert needs a permit, some doesn't.
You do not need a building permit for a one-story detached shed or accessory building of 200 square feet or less that is not lived in, as long as it is not used for marijuana cultivation, extraction, or industrial-type processes. You do need a permit once the floor area passes 200 square feet, or if the building is habitable or used for one of those listed uses. Zoning setback rules for detached accessory buildings still apply.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Permit fees are set by council resolution in the town fee schedule. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2, Building item 1 (Sec. 10-42), penalties Sec. 10-50 |
| Based on | 2018 IRC as amended (Town of Gilbert) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Gilbert 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.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
If you build without a required permit, the town first sends a written notice giving you time to fix it. If you miss that deadline you can be fined up to $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for the third and any later one, with each day counted as a separate offense. After a third violation you can face up to six months in jail.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert | — | Depends | Over 200 |
| Mesa | 6 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Chandler | 7 mi | Depends | Over 120 |
| Tempe | 12 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Scottsdale | 27 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Avondale | 34 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Gilbert
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?
Gilbert 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.