Whatcom County exempts sheds under 200 square feet from building permits — but the conditions are specific. Your shed must be one-story with no basement, non-occupied, and maintain 10 feet of separation between exterior walls and 6 feet between eaves of adjacent buildings. That separation rule is stricter than most counties and catches people off guard. Setbacks depend on your zoning district (urban residential, rural residential, and rural all have different requirements), and critical areas like wetlands, shorelines, and steep slopes add another layer of regulation. Whether you're near Bellingham or out in the Nooksack Valley, here's what the county code says.
For unincorporated Whatcom County areas. Incorporated cities may have their own requirements.
| Shed Permit Rules | Unincorporated Whatcom County |
|---|---|
| Max Shed Size (No Permit) | 200 sq ft |
| Max Shed Height (Overall) | Per zoning district* — typically 25–35 ft |
| Setbacks (Side/Rear) | Per zoning district — check your parcel |
| Setbacks (Front) | Per zoning district — check your parcel |
| Min. Separation (Exterior Walls) | 10 ft |
| Min. Separation (Eaves) | 6 ft |
*Whatcom County does not publish a separate height limit for accessory structures — zoning district heights apply (UR: 35 ft, RR: 35 ft, RR-I: 25–30 ft). For permit-exempt one-story structures, IRC defaults apply: 10 ft eave height.
“1-story detached, non-occupied accessory structures without basements, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses are exempt from permits provided that accessory structures maintain a minimum separation of 10 feet between exterior walls and a minimum separation of 6 feet between eaves of adjacent buildings on the same property, meet all applicable setback requirements, and floor area does not exceed 200 square feet measured outside wall to outside wall.”
WCC 15.04 — Permit Exemption for Accessory Structures →
“The placement of the building must meet all code requirements related to any critical areas on the parcel, proximity to a septic system or well.”
WCC 15.04 — Critical Area and Septic Requirements →
“All structures, including accessory structures, shall be placed on their lots in compliance with the requirements of the setback table.”
WCC 20.80.200 — Setback Compliance for All Structures →
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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