Do small sheds under 200 square feet have different rules in Ferndale?

Partly. Structures of 200 square feet or less keep the same 5 foot side and rear setbacks as larger accessory buildings, but their height is capped at 15 feet instead of 20 feet (Section 3.02).

The rest of the accessory structure rules still apply:

• Allowed only on a lot with a principal building.
• Not in the front yard of the principal building.
• At least 10 feet from any other structure on the lot.
• The fire-rated reduction to 3 foot setbacks is available for larger structures; ask the Building Department how it applies to a small shed.

Note what the 200 square foot threshold does not do. It does not waive setbacks, and it does not create a size cap on your total accessory building space. Ferndale has no combined square-footage limit for accessory structures.

For permit requirements on a small shed, check with the Building Department or Community and Economic Development at 248-336-4370.