Shed Permit Requirements in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale requires a building permit to install a shed. Inside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone a shed must have signed and sealed shop drawings from a Florida-licensed engineer, a State of Florida product approval, or a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance, and the accessory structure checklist adds a site plan and survey showing setbacks.
Verified against official sources · Last verified: September 19, 2026
Do You Need a Permit?
Permit RequiredThe City of Fort Lauderdale states that a building permit is required to install a shed. To qualify for installation within the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), a shed must have signed and sealed shop drawings from a Florida-licensed engineer, a State of Florida product approval, or a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance. The city's Accessory Structure Permit Checklist adds a site plan and survey showing setbacks, signed and sealed plans, and Structural and Zoning review.
See what applies to your exact property.
Check Your PropertyPermit Type
Building Permit
Documents You May Need
- Site plan showing the proposed structure and the setback dimensions to all property lines (may be omitted if shown on the survey)
- Survey — signed and sealed originals, or a copy with a completed Zoning Affidavit
- Plans signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed architect or engineer
- All required product approvals (for the HVHZ: signed and sealed shop drawings from a Florida-licensed engineer, a State of Florida product approval, or a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance)
- Special Inspector Form completed by a Florida-licensed engineer, if piles are required
- Completed Accessory Structure Permit Checklist
- Recorded Notice of Commencement, if the contract exceeds $5,000
- Owner Builder Affidavit, if the homeowner acts as their own contractor
Approvals
- Structural
- Zoning
- Engineering, if located within an easement
Conditions That Can Affect This Result
This isn't a flat rule — the outcome can depend on details specific to your project. Use the checker to get a result based on your own answers, or see the verified scenarios below.
- If the shed will have electrical service: you'll also need: Electrical.
- If the shed will have both electrical service and plumbing: you'll also need: Electrical.
- If the shed will have plumbing: you'll also need: Plumbing.
- If the shed will have both electrical service and plumbing: you'll also need: Plumbing.
- If the property is in a historic district or designated as historic: you'll also need: Historical district approval (noted on the permit application), if applicable.
What to Do Next
- 1Gather the required documents listed above.
- 2Complete any required additional approvals.
- 3Contact the building department to submit your application.
- 4Respond to any plan-review comments if issued.
Ready to continue?
Apply for the permit
Open the official government application portal.
Questions about your permit?
Call the Building Department.
Permit Fees
Fees vary based on project scope and permit valuation. See the official city fee schedule.
Review Time
Varies by project and plan-review workload
Building Department
Development Services Department — Building Services
Phone: 954-828-3160Email: PermitSolutions@fortlauderdale.govAddress: 700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Official Sources
City of Fort Lauderdale — Accessory Structure Permit Checklist (Rev. 3, 3/6/2024)
fortlauderdale.gov · Official PDF · verified September 19, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale — Permitting Services (Permitting FAQ: shed)
fortlauderdale.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale — HB 803 Permitting Updates
fortlauderdale.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale — Building Permit Application Checklist (Rev. 11, 6/16/2026)
fortlauderdale.gov · Official PDF · verified September 19, 2026
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PermitAhead provides informational guidance based on official government sources. Final permitting decisions are made by the applicable local authority.