How close can I build a shed to my Neighbours boundary?
In some areas, you are allowed to build as close as four feet away from your property line. In other places, your LPA may ask you to keep your shed 10-15 feet away from your fence. But generally, you need to maintain at least 5 feet between the further edge of your shed and the fence.
Structures closer than 5 feet to a property line will have fire rating requirements on the walls and overhangs/eaves. Accessory structures shall be minimum 5 feet from the rear property line and minimum 2 feet from a side property line.
As a homeowner, you should check with your local building authorities before building. In some areas, authorities dictate the specific areas where one should build their shed. Some local building authorities require you to build your shed 10 or 15 feet away from the fence. Involving your local authorities is vital.
A building permit is not required for storage sheds that are one story in height and less than 120 square feet (s.f.). If the shed is 120 s.f. or greater (or more than one story), a building permit will be needed.
In order to avoid potential buildup of mold, mildew, and rot growth, it is advised that you should leave space between a fence and a shed. This allows air to flow more freely and reduces the chances of dampness between the shed and fence.
Typically, the setback of a property is 10 feet at the front, 10 feet at the back, and four feet on each side.
In general, your neighbour only has the right to build up to the boundary line between the two properties but there are circumstances when they can legitimately build on your land but they will require your permission. These include: A loft extension. A ground floor extension.
A building permit shall not be required for sheds up to 120 square feet. The shed's structure is still required to meet the requirements of the California Residential Code or the California Building Code.
You must apply for householder planning permission to erect a garden building, greenhouse or shed if: the total area of ground covered will be greater than 50 per cent of the total land around the house. it will be at the front of the house. it will be at the side of a house which is in a conservation area.
As a rule of thumb, a build that reaches 7.2 feet is considered acceptable and anything over that we do recommend speaking to your neighbour.
What are the rules for building a shed?
Per the California Residential Code, detached accessory structures that do not exceed 120 sq. ft. and do not contain plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanical equipment, do not require a building permit, however a Planning Permit is required for these structures.
Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
Projects that require a building permit
Build, demolish or add a dwelling, room, garage, shed, carport or other structure attached to an existing dwelling. structure that is more than 200 square feet in area.
Residential sheds are classified as accessory structures (e.g. lawn and garden and tool sheds, detached garages and carports) and they must comply with the state residential codes. They are not designed or intended to be used for human habitation.
It is open to you to make a complaint to the Planning Authority regarding the finish of the structure and the fact that it has not been painted in accordance with the permission granted, and the authority might well issue an enforcement notice forcing your neighbour to paint the structure.
You should know
If your garden shed is close to a boundary, and you have the written approval from your neighbours, you can apply for a Deemed Permitted Boundary Activity. This application replaces the need to apply for a resource consent. You will still need to apply for a building consent, if required.
How close a shed can be to a fence: what UK law says. According to UK shed regulations, you do not need to seek planning permission if your shed is 2.5 metres tall (or less) and sits at least two metres from the boundary of a property – whether a fence or wall [1].
There is no requirement to meet Building Regulations regardless of what you're using the building for, except for Sleeping Accommodation. In order to meet Building Regulations you will need to place the building at least 1m away from any boundary.
Any shed must be built at least 2.5m away from the main house.