Shed Installation Permits in Huntsville

Local Rule

City of Huntsville Inspection Department; Alabama Building Code (2021, IRC-based), local enforcement

Huntsville follows the Alabama state standard of exempting a one-story detached accessory structure under 120 square feet from a building permit, with specific placement rules: a shed must sit in the rear yard, at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, off any easements, and at least 10 feet from any other structure including the main house. Accessory structures in Huntsville cannot exceed two stories. The city's online permit portal makes it straightforward to check whether a specific shed project needs a permit based on size, location, and features.

Source · Verified September 2026

Huntsville Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Madison County

Huntsville's own rule is shown above (No permit under 120 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Madison County Inspection Department

Madison County enforces the 2018 IRC with local amendments under its 2021 Residential Construction Resolution, but a specific unincorporated-county exemption threshold could not be confirmed (the 200 sq ft figure found in research applies to the City of Madison, a separate jurisdiction). Confirm the county-specific threshold with the Inspection Department before building.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Huntsville with a confirmed shed installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a shed installation project:

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