Shed permit in Melbourne, FL
Yes — you need a permit for shed work in Melbourne.
You need a building permit for a storage shed or other small backyard building. There is no square-foot size that lets you skip it: Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work. The zoning rules for accessory structures also control how many you may have and where they may sit on your lot.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by city council resolution (Sec. 13.45) and are published at www.melbourneflorida.org. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Melbourne (Sec. 13.80) |
Most building codes exempt a shed up to 200 sq ft. Melbourne is stricter — a permit applies at any size.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Melbourne 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
Melbourne'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | — | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Orlando | 42 mi | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Kissimmee | 48 mi | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Port St. Lucie | 60 mi | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Deltona | 64 mi | Yes | A storage shed is a Building-type structure, and Florida'… |
| Lakeland | 79 mi | Yes | Installing a storage shed or small backyard building need… |
Other work in Melbourne
Questions people ask
How much does a shed permit cost in Melbourne?
The code lists no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by city council resolution (Sec. 13.45) and are published at www.melbourneflorida.org.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Melbourne 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.