Shed permit in Midland, TX
It depends — some shed work in Midland needs a permit, some doesn't.
A storage shed is exempt if it is a one-story detached accessory structure with a floor area no greater than 200 square feet. Go over 200 square feet and a building permit is required. Midland kept this IRC exemption (Building subsection 1) unchanged. Zoning rules for accessory buildings still apply (Sec. 11-1-4.09): a detached accessory building must sit at least 10 feet from the principal building and cannot protrude in front of the main building.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount; fees are set in the current adopted Fee Schedule (R108.2). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 (Building, accessory structure item); zoning Sec. 11-1-4.09 |
| Based on | 2018 IRC as adopted by City of Midland (Sec. 4-11-2) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Midland 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
Midland'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Abilene | 142 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Amarillo | 220 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| El Paso | 253 mi | Depends | From 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 266 mi | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| San Antonio | 277 mi | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
Other work in Midland
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?
Midland 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.