Lynnwood sits in south Snohomish County with a dense mix of residential neighborhoods — and like most cities in the area, sheds under 200 square feet are permit-exempt. Standard setbacks are 5 feet from side and rear property lines, and there's a notable exception: accessory buildings under 64 square feet and 8 feet tall can sit right on the property line. One thing that stands out — Lynnwood explicitly prohibits shipping containers as accessory structures in residential zones. Here's what the Lynnwood Municipal Code says.
| Shed Permit Rules | City of Lynnwood |
|---|---|
| Max Shed Size (No Permit) | 200 sq ft (one-story, detached) |
| Max Shed Height (Overall) | 15 ft* (one story, per LMC 21.46.150) |
| Setbacks (Side/Rear) | 5 ft from interior side and rear lines |
| Setbacks (Front) | Must be behind front wall of main building |
| Small Shed Exception | \u226464 sq ft and \u22648 ft tall — may sit on property line |
*Height limit from LMC 21.46.150 (commercial accessory standards). Residential zones reference Table 21.42.03 for specific placement standards — check with the city for your zone.
Shipping containers and similar storage units are explicitly prohibited as accessory structures in residential zones per LMC 21.42.400.
“Accessory structures are limited to a total amount of 200 square feet in floor area, excepting garages.”
LMC 21.42.400 — Accessory Structure Size Limit →
“Shipping containers or other similar storage units are not permitted as accessory structures in residential zones.”
LMC 21.42.400 — Shipping Containers Prohibited →
“One accessory building which does not exceed eight feet in height nor 64 square feet in floor area may be located on interior lot side lines and lot rear lines. In no case shall the accessory building be located closer to the street than the main building.”
LMC 21.46.150 — Small Shed Property Line Exception →
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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