MC2 Sheds

Building a Shed in Edmonds? Here's What You Need to Know

Snohomish County

Edmonds caps all accessory structures at 15 feet — no exceptions, no zone-based sliding scale. That's a hard ceiling whether your shed is in the setback area or not. The upside: if your shed is under 600 square feet, the rear setback drops to just 5 feet (normally it's more). Eave overhangs max out at 12 inches. No design match requirements here, but properties near the Puget Sound waterfront have shoreline buffer zones that can limit where you build.

Building Codes & Permits in Edmonds

Shed Permit RulesCity of Edmonds
Max Shed Size (No Permit)200 sq ft (one-story)
Max Shed Height (Overall)15 ft (all accessory structures)
Max Eave Overhang12 in
Setbacks (Side/Rear)5 ft rear (for structures under 600 sq ft)
Setbacks (Front)Per zoning district — see ECDC 16.20.030

From the Municipal Code

“Height of detached accessory buildings shall be limited to 15 feet. The normally required rear setback may be reduced to a minimum of five feet for a detached accessory building covering less than 600 square feet of the site; provided, this shall not apply to corner lots.”

ECDC 16.20.030 — Accessory Building Height & Setback →

What You Need to Know

  • ●15 ft hard cap (ECDC 16.20.030): All detached accessory buildings are limited to 15 ft height. No zone-based variation — 15 ft everywhere. This is lower than most neighboring cities.
  • ●Reduced rear setback (ECDC 16.20.030): Detached accessory buildings under 600 sq ft can reduce the rear setback to 5 ft. Does not apply to corner lots.
  • ●12-inch eave limit: Eave overhangs are limited to 12 inches on accessory structures. Standard shed overhangs are typically 6–12 inches, so this usually isn't a constraint — but worth knowing if you're designing wider eaves.
  • ●Lot coverage: 35% maximum in most single-family residential zones (RS-6 through RS-20). Your shed counts toward total lot coverage.
  • ●Shoreline buffers: Properties near the Puget Sound waterfront are subject to the Shoreline Master Program per ECDC 24.80. Buffer zones can restrict where you can place a structure.
  • ●Critical areas: Edmonds has wetland, steep slope, and stream buffer regulations per ECDC Title 23. Check if your property has critical area overlays before planning.
  • ●Setbacks (ECDC 16.20.030): Standard street and side setbacks per the residential zone tables. The 5 ft reduced rear setback for structures under 600 sq ft is the most useful provision for shed builders.
  • ●Outside city limits? Parts of the Edmonds area are unincorporated Snohomish County. Check the Snohomish County page if you're not sure.
  • ●Utilities: Even if the structure is exempt, any electrical or plumbing work requires a separate trade permit.

City of Edmonds Resources

Have questions about permits or zoning? We don't have all the answers, but we deal with this stuff regularly and can usually help you figure it out. Reach out with your address and we'll point you in the right direction.

Building codes and permit requirements are subject to change. Contact your local building department to verify current regulations before beginning your project.

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