Shed permit checklist — Buffalo, New York
Assembled from Buffalo’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Buffalo requires a permit for a shed.
Under § 103-2.3B(19) of the City Code, homeowners and appropriately licensed handymen, contractors, and construction managers may repair, renovate, or construct a single-story detached storage shed of up to 144 square feet of ground surface coverage, a similar-sized and configured building of utility or miscellaneous use, or playground equipment at an existing one- or two-family dwelling without applying for and obtaining a building permit and without paying building permit fees. The exemption is unavailable where the shed, similar building, or playground equipment would adversely alter drainage patterns to the detriment of adjoining properties, be in violation of the building or other applicable code, be in violation of the zoning ordinances, create a fire or other hazard, create a dangerous condition, or create a nuisance. Section 103-2.3A(1)(d) separately exempts, in conjunction with sanctioned repair work, the demolition of a single-story detached shed, storage building, playhouse, or similar utility or miscellaneous building of up to and including 144 square feet of ground surface coverage, and of playground equipment, except that a demolition permit is required where any perimeter wall or part of the structure is on a property line or shares or is part of a common wall with another building or structure.
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Sources
- shed — fee schedule ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Buffalo publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Fence permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Retaining wall permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
- General building work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Buffalo before you build.