Shed permit in Tampa, FL
It depends — some shed work in Tampa needs a permit, some doesn't.
You need a building permit once the shed is bigger than 120 square feet. Sec. 5-105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, as long as the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11 m²). A larger shed, or one that is more than one story, needs a permit. The exemption is only about the building permit: zoning rules for accessory structures in Sec. 27-290 (where the shed may sit, setbacks, coverage) still apply, and running electrical service to the shed is separate work.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 120 sq ft |
| Fee | The code names no shed amount. Sec. 5-109.2 says permit fees are set by a separate City Council resolution, so the dollar figures live outside the code. Current amounts are on the city site at ci.tampa.fl.us. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 5-105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as amended by City of Tampa Code ch. 5 |
Most building codes exempt a shed up to 200 sq ft. Tampa is stricter — the cutoff here is just 120 sq ft.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Tampa 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
If you start the work before the permit is issued, the building official can charge you an extra fee on top of the normal permit fee (Sec. 5-109.4). If you then take an unreasonable amount of time to apply, that fee doubles. Paying it does not stop the city from prosecuting you for working without a permit.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | — | Depends | Over 120 sq ft |
| St. Petersburg | 17 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Clearwater | 18 mi | Yes | A storage shed is a Building-type structure, and Florida'… |
| Largo | 18 mi | Yes | A storage shed is a Building-type accessory structure, an… |
| Lakeland | 33 mi | Yes | Installing a storage shed or small backyard building need… |
| North Port | 65 mi | Depends | Over 50 sq ft |
Other work in Tampa
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?
Tampa 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.