Shed permit in Pasadena, TX
It depends — some shed work in Pasadena needs a permit, some doesn't.
A storage building of 100 square feet or more needs a permit; one under 100 square feet is exempt (but must still meet setback rules).
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 100 sq ft |
| Fee | Residential building permits are charged at $0.20 per square foot, and no permit is less than a $50 minimum (Sec. 9-60). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 item 1 (Sec. 9-63); confirmed in Sec. 9-60 fee schedule |
| Based on | 2024 IRC as amended (Pasadena Ord. No. 25-198) |
Most building codes exempt a shed up to 200 sq ft. Pasadena is stricter — the cutoff here is just 100 sq ft.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Pasadena 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
Pasadena'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | — | Depends | From 100 sq ft |
| League City | 12 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Pearland | 12 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| College Station | 94 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 162 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Austin | 162 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Pasadena
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?
Pasadena 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.