MC2 Sheds

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

Skagit County

La Conner is a small historic town in Skagit County known for its waterfront, art galleries, and tulip festival access. The town has a two-tier system for sheds: storage buildings under 120 square feet need no zoning authorization at all, while sheds between 120 and 200 square feet need a zoning certificate but are still exempt from a building permit. Accessory structures max out at 18 feet in height. Skagit County administers building code enforcement for La Conner through an interlocal agreement. Here's what the La Conner Municipal Code says.

Building Codes & Permits in La Conner

Shed Permit RulesTown of La Conner
No Authorization NeededUnder 120 sq ft (storage/utility buildings, LCMC 15.110.010)
Zoning Auth Only (No Building Permit)120-200 sq ft (certificate of authorization required)
Max Shed Height (Accessory)18 ft (LCMC 15.110.020)
Setbacks (Side)5 ft
Setbacks (Rear)7 ft (0 ft with alley access)
Setbacks (Front)11 ft

Skagit County administers building code enforcement for La Conner through an interlocal agreement. The 200 sq ft building permit exemption aligns with Skagit County standards.

Accessory buildings may be placed in setback areas where primary buildings cannot per LCMC 15.10.1030.

From the Municipal Code

“Storage and utility buildings and greenhouses less than 120 square feet in size require no certificate of authorization.”

LCMC 15.110.010 — Small Structures Exempt from Authorization →

“Accessory structures requiring authorization shall not exceed 18 feet in height.”

LCMC 15.110.020 — Accessory Structure Height Limit →

What You Need to Know

  • ●Two-tier system (LCMC 15.110): Under 120 sq ft needs nothing. 120-200 sq ft needs a zoning certificate of authorization but no building permit. Over 200 sq ft needs both.
  • ●18 ft height cap (LCMC 15.110.020): Accessory structures requiring authorization are capped at 18 ft. This is more generous than many cities in the area.
  • ●Setbacks (LCMC 15.20): 11 ft front, 5 ft side, 7 ft rear for the residential zone. Properties with alley access get a 0 ft rear setback — a significant advantage for shed placement.
  • ●Accessory buildings in setback areas (LCMC 15.10.1030): The code allows accessory buildings within setback areas where primary buildings cannot be placed. Confirm specifics with the town planner.
  • ●Outside town limits? If your property is in unincorporated Skagit County rather than within La Conner town limits, Skagit County rules apply instead.
  • ●Utilities: Even if the structure is exempt from a building permit, any electrical or plumbing work requires a separate trade permit.

Town of La Conner 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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