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Sheds and Agricultural Structures
Sheds are considered accessory structures to residential dwellings. Garages are not considered sheds.
Agricultural structures are for agricultural uses, such as barns and run-in sheds.
Required Permits
- A building permit and zoning permit, signed by the property owner.
- Square feet of area being disturbed
- Structure size
- For sheds only: the size of your structure determines what type of permit you need
- Less than 256 square feet, complete a Zoning Only - Residential application in LandMARC (account required).
- Greater than 256 square feet, complete a Building - Residential Miscellaneous Structure application in LandMARC (account required).
- For sheds only: the size of your structure determines what type of permit you need
- If your property is located in an incorporated town within Loudoun County, submit an approved zoning permit from the town with your application.
Additional Documentation
In addition to the permit application, you are required to submit the following:
For agricultural or farm structures only:
- Farm Building or Structure Application is required for agricultural structures, regardless of size.
For all sheds and agricultural structures:
- Plat of property showing:
- Structure location
- Distances from structure to sides and rear of property
- Sheds: with a single family dwelling only, most nonhabitable, one-story sheds can go up to, but not within 5 feet of the rear and side property line.
- If you need to know your setbacks: email Building and Development, call 703-777-0220, option #2, or submit a setback request on Loudoun Express Request.
- View a sample plat of property (PDF).
- Learn more about how to get a copy of a plat or survey. If you're unable to locate a copy of the plat or survey of your property showing the house, we will accept a base map of your property (including the house) as shown in WebLogis.
- Statement of Owner/Lessee (PDF) if the permit is issued to the property owner.
- Grading Permit for Erosion and Sedimentation Control If the disturbed area is greater than 5,000 square feet or if the location is within the Mountainside Development Overlay District, Limestone Overlay District, or within Steep Slopes Areas.
- Contact Erosion and Sediment Control at 571-258-3125 for any questions on the Grading Permit approval process.
- Electrical Permit may be required. This should include detail of, but not limited to: fixtures/lights, sub panels, receptacles/outlets, etc.
How to Apply
- Submit an application, a plat of your property, and other required documentation in one of the following ways:
- Online in LandMARC - (Account required)
- In person: Building and Development
Loudoun County Government Center
1 Harrison Street, SE.
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas on Lot
Lots with environmentally sensitive areas may take longer to review and may require additional information from the applicant.
Easements
If county easements are present on the lot, no construction shall encroach into the ground or air space of the easement.
If there is a stormwater easement on your property, please email the Stormwater Team before applying for permits.
Health Department Approval
If your lot is served by well and septic, contact the Health Department to obtain approval before applying for permits.
Conservation Easements
Some parcels have conservation easements that may limit what is permitted on a property. To search properties with permanent conservation easements, view this map (please note date of data currency). If you have questions about your Board of Supervisors (BOS) held easement, please email or call Office of Mapping & Geographic Information at 703-771-5778. Questions about easements held by other organizations should be directed to the holder of the easement.
To request copies of conservation easements and other legally recorded property documents, please email or call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 703-737-8775 with the PIN and tax map #. Copies are $0.50/page, payment may be made over the phone by credit card and copies emailed. We recommend that landowners and prospective buyers review the terms of an easement with a land use and zoning attorney.
Requirements for Public Utilities
Call "Miss Utility" at 800-552-7001 before excavating to ensure that the construction does not interfere with underground utility lines."Miss Utility" is a free service to anyone who is planning to excavate. Utility companies support "Miss Utility" to prevent damage to their buried lines. Call at least 48 hours prior to excavating. The various companies will mark the path of underground utilities on your property.
Fees
Sheds
- Less than 256 square feet: $165 (county zoning permit fee)
- 256 - 1,000 square feet: $395 (Includes building permit fee, plan review fee, and county zoning permit)
Sheds over 256 square feet in an incorporated town are not subject to $165 county zoning permit fee.
Agricultural Structures
- Not subject to VUSBC: $165 (county zoning permit fee)
- If the structure is subject to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) or if plan review is requested: $330 (Includes building permit fee, plan review fee, and county zoning permit)
Agricultural structures in an incorporated town are not subject to $165 county zoning permit fee.
All fees are calculated based on the details of the application submitted. Separate fees are charged for trade permits, if issued (electrical, gas, plumbing, mechanical).
Pay application fees
Permit fees must be paid once the county has completed the review process and you are notified that the permit is ready to be issued. Permits must be issued before your project can begin.
Inspection Requirements
Inspections are required by law to establish that the shed has been built in accordance with the structural and safety provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) standard construction practices and the approved drawings.
A copy of the approved plans must be on the job site and available to the inspector or no inspection will be performed.
The following inspections are required:
Sheds
- Building Permit:
- Footing
- Framing
- Final
Agricultural Structures not exempt from VUSBC
- Building Permit:
- Footing
- Framing
- Final
- Trade Permits at both the rough-in and final stages:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
Schedule Inspections
The permit holder or their representative must schedule an inspection when the stages of construction that require an inspection are reached. Inspections must be scheduled one work day in advance.
Questions
Call Building and Development at 703-777-0220, option 1.