How Much Space Between Shed And House/garage?

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Paul_H P I'm scoping out spots where I can potentially put a shed and figuring out how big a shed I can fit and maintain all the setbacks and buffers. One ideal place is behind my garage and house. Is there a rule of thumb of how much room I should leave between the garage/house and a shed? Thanks. Paul #1 · May 22, 2011 I'm scoping out spots where I can potentially put a shed and figuring out how big a shed I can fit and maintain all the setbacks and buffers. One ideal place is behind my garage and house. Is there a rule of thumb of how much room I should leave between the garage/house and a shed? Thanks. Paul Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · May 22, 2011 I would think the local government would be the place to inquire about setbacks. Every governing body could be different. Every side, front, back section of your property could require a different setback. The setback could depend on the type of building. I would want at least room to get a full size vehicle among and around any buildings if property size permitted. And, local regulations could set the mandates depending on building type or use. Sheds may be exempt. Check local government. #3 · May 22, 2011 I know what the setbacks are for my property lines, septic and wetlands. There are no specific rules for space between a secondary building like a shed and the main structure. That is why I asked for some guidance here. #4 · May 22, 2011 Just make sure that you leave enough room for rain water runoff and snow not to build up between the garage and shed. If you don't you might get water running into your garage from rain and snow that comes off the shed roof or blown in by the wind. I had a temporary shed (shelter logic type) behind my garage last winter and we put it to close. Had water come in from all the snow that under the bond. Just my thoughts for you. #5 · May 22, 2011 Just picked up the permits to put up a small storage shed. Here a storage building that will not have power or water to it must be a minimum of 40' from any other structure. The permit lady said it was so the firemen would have room to work and save other structures in case of a fire. I checked with my fire insurance company and they had some concerns about it being that close to the house. It's actually going to be about 80' away but I thought it was interesting that they had concerns. I'm surprised your area doesn't have separation of building codes considering the others you mention. You might want to check with your insurance company as well, they may have some minimum requirements. Mike #6 · May 22, 2011 From my existing conversations with the zoning and building departments, and my own reading of the regs, the best I can figure in my town is that zoning is concerned with setbacks from property lines, septic and wetlands and the building department is concerned with snow loads on the roof. I didn't think to check with the insurance company. I'll have to talk to them this week and see if they have any stipulations. Thanks. Paul #7 · May 22, 2011 In my community zoning does not cover distance from existing structures. The regs cover distance from adjacent parcels and distance from public right-of-ways. Regs also cover maximum number of sheds and maximum size of sheds relative to area (foot print only) of house. #8 · May 23, 2011 for my area i can't have any 2 structures closer then 10 feet, then 10 from a side property line and 25 from the back. but also the size of my shed/detached garage can only be a percentage of my lot size... my attached garage can only be a percentage of my homes floor space. #9 · May 23, 2011 All these different answers show that no two jurisdictions are alike. If we had to follow some of the rules described above, we'd have a vacant lot because there'd be no way to comply. As it is, we have a house, garage and shed on this little parcel. I probably wouldn't bother with the insurance company -- I wouldn't want them to think they had the power to veto something that was otherwise compliant/reasonable. Sometimes leaving space between isn't the best idea, especially if your land is at a premium. Unless you can leave a fair bit of space, it might be better to physically connect them. Physically connecting the structures uses your available space more efficiently because you don't have to worry about leaving maneuvering room, etc. You end up with a single structure/footprint, rather than two structures that have the same combined footprint plus the space between that is now essentially unbuildable. Just a though, from the perspective of someone where land is very limited. #10 · May 23, 2011 If i was to leave a small space, Figure out what the biggest thing is that you will fit through there (mower maybe) and add 6" to a foot, also, make sure that the way the roofs slant wont cause the water to pour off one and hit your siding... or snow or what ever you may have in your area. Also, I would take into consideration windows, you don't wanna look out a window straight at the side of your barn or shed. #11 · May 23, 2011 Definitely talk to your insurance company. They won't stop you from doing anything, they will just charge you a lot more if you aren't conforming. There is usually a minimum separation, like 5 feet, to keep the structures from being considered the same. If you are too close, your equipment and any stored materials (like gas) will be considered to be in your house. #12 · May 24, 2011 In some jurisdictions there are limitations on the size of the shed, but if it is attached to the house, the restrictions may go away. Where I live I found I was limited to a 2-car (600sq ft) detached garage plus an 8x10 shed. But house size was limited to a percentage of parcel size. So instead I added a 1600+ square foot attached garage (4+ car lower, plus 50% walk-up loft) without issue. I just needed to have a fire-rated wall between the garage space and living space. Now if I want, I can still add a 2-car detached garage and shed. But that's not going to happen. :thThumbsU #13 · May 24, 2011 We also have size restrictions based on percentage of the property to be covered. Fortunately I won't run into issues with that. Paul #14 · May 24, 2011 We have no rules for set backs either.Here is my opinion.If your house or buildings have gutters,then 3 to 5 feet spacing.If no gutters then 5 to 10 feet.No gutters and water washing out the ground from under the building or house can get bad quick.Gutters moving water down and away from the foundations will eliminate that problem.Just my 2 pennys. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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