Shed Installation Permits in Bend

Local Rule

City of Bend Community Development Department, Planning Division; Bend Development Code (BDC) 3.6.200.M

Bend generally does not require a building permit for an accessory structure no larger than 200 square feet, per the city's own accessory structure guidance; an electrical permit is still required if an electrical system is installed. If the property is subject to Floor Area Ratio (FAR), an accessory structure taller than 10 feet or larger than 200 square feet counts toward FAR. A primary use must already be established on the property before an accessory structure is allowed, and no accessory structure may encroach into the public right-of-way without an approved revocable permit. Properties in Historic Districts or the Waterway Overlay Zone face additional review requirements.

Source · Verified September 2026

Bend Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Deschutes County

Bend's own rule is shown above (No permit under 200 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Deschutes County Community Development Department (unincorpo

The county follows the statewide 200-square-foot exemption for a non-habitable, detached, one-story accessory structure, matching the threshold used by Bend, the county seat, but the City of Bend adds a build-order condition worth noting since it reflects the broader rural pattern: a primary residential use must already be established on the property before an accessory structure can be permitted at all, meaning a shed cannot be the first structure built on a vacant lot. Much of the county sits within a Wildland-Urban Interface designation, which can require fire-resistant exterior materials on a shed even when the structure itself is small enough to skip the building permit entirely.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Bend 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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