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Garages, Fences & Sheds
The Summit County Land Use and Development Code allows for garages, fences and sheds, with certain restrictions.
A garage associated with a residential use must be located on the same parcel as the residential use. The garage may either be attached to or detached from the primary residential structure. Both attached and detached garages are allowed on the same parcel, provided the size of both garages combined does not exceed the maximum size limit.
A garage, or any other “accessory use,” may only be established or built on a site concurrent with or after the primary residence has been established. The maximum size for a garage associated with a residential use is as follows:
In residential zoning districts, fences are allowed without a permit, subject to the following regulations (see below for illustration):
Sheds are permitted on a residential property in Summit County as an accessory use (meaning that the primary use, e.g., a single family home, is established first). You may not construct a shed on your residential property without first constructing a dwelling unit.
Sheds do not need to meet setback requirements, provided they are (1) located in the rear or side yard and are located a minimum of five feet from all property lines (including the driplines of the shed); and (2) the maximum size of the shed shall not exceed 200 square feet of floor area, nor shall the maximum height exceed 8 feet.
A shed may not be placed in wetlands or wetland setback where applicable. A Building Permit is required for sheds exceeding 120 square feet. To inquire about a building permit for a shed, please contact the Building Inspection Department.
Shed, fence and deck, relative to grade, property lines and setbacks (for illustrative purposes only, exceptions may apply).
Garages
A garage associated with a residential use must be located on the same parcel as the residential use. The garage may either be attached to or detached from the primary residential structure. Both attached and detached garages are allowed on the same parcel, provided the size of both garages combined does not exceed the maximum size limit.
A garage, or any other “accessory use,” may only be established or built on a site concurrent with or after the primary residence has been established. The maximum size for a garage associated with a residential use is as follows:
- BC Zoning District: Total combined square footage of garages and all other accessory structures shall not exceed 600 square feet.
- All other zoning districts: 1,500 square feet of floor area in a single-family dwelling that contains up to 3,000 square feet of floor area. For single-family dwellings that contain more than 3,000 square feet, maximum garage size is a function of the dwelling’s floor area, with the maximum garage size allowed at 50% of the floor area contained in the dwelling, up to a maximum of 2,000 square feet in garage floor area.
Fences
In residential zoning districts, fences are allowed without a permit, subject to the following regulations (see below for illustration):
- Front: Fences and walls in the front setback shall be no higher than 4 feet above grade at the property line, and shall not cause a visual obstruction at access points. Fences or walls in the front yard but not in the front setback may exceed 4 feet up to a maximum of 6 feet above grade.
- Street side: Fences or walls in any setback abutting street right-of-way shall comply with the height limits on fences and walls in front setbacks, except where there is no vehicular access to the site from that side. In that case, the height of the fence or wall may be 6 feet above grade at the property line.
- Maximum height: Fences and walls in areas other than the front or street side setbacks shall be no higher than 6 feet above grade.
Sheds
Sheds are permitted on a residential property in Summit County as an accessory use (meaning that the primary use, e.g., a single family home, is established first). You may not construct a shed on your residential property without first constructing a dwelling unit.
Sheds do not need to meet setback requirements, provided they are (1) located in the rear or side yard and are located a minimum of five feet from all property lines (including the driplines of the shed); and (2) the maximum size of the shed shall not exceed 200 square feet of floor area, nor shall the maximum height exceed 8 feet.
A shed may not be placed in wetlands or wetland setback where applicable. A Building Permit is required for sheds exceeding 120 square feet. To inquire about a building permit for a shed, please contact the Building Inspection Department.
Shed, fence and deck, relative to grade, property lines and setbacks (for illustrative purposes only, exceptions may apply).