Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island and home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The city's accessory structure rules are notably generous — buildings up to 600 square feet and 15 feet in height can go in the rear yard with just a 5-foot setback from property lines. The catch: you need 10 feet of unencumbered space between the accessory building and your primary structure. Additional height is allowed if you increase the setback accordingly. Here's what the Oak Harbor Municipal Code says.
| Shed Permit Rules | City of Oak Harbor |
|---|---|
| Max Shed Size (No Permit) | 200 sq ft (per IRC as adopted) |
| Accessory Building (Rear Yard) | 600 sq ft and 15 ft height in rear yard |
| Setbacks (Side/Rear) | 5 ft from property lines |
| Separation from Primary | 10 ft unencumbered space between primary and accessory |
| Additional Height | Allowed with corresponding increase in setback, up to zone max |
“An accessory building or buildings of less than 600 total square feet in building area and 15 feet in building height may be constructed in the rear yard a minimum of five feet from property lines and providing 10 feet of unencumbered space between the principal structure and the accessory building(s). Additional building height is permitted with a corresponding increase in setback up to the maximum height in the zone district; or, location within the principal building setbacks.”
OHMC 19.20 — Accessory Building Standards →
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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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