Oklahoma Shed Permits: The Ultimate Guide

Let’s be honest. 

Figuring out what kind of shed permit you need in Oklahoma can be complex. Yet here at OK Structures, we want to make the process as easy as possible. So let us help you figure out the process of getting the shed permit you may need. 

Do All Sheds Need A Permit In Oklahoma?

No. Not all sheds in the state of Oklahoma need a building permit. 

In most cases, if your shed is one story and under 200 square feet, no permit is needed. This ruling would also include Horse Barns, Garages, Cabins, and Carports. 

We do recommend that you check with your local municipality to make sure that they do not have a different guideline that must be adhered to.

How Big Of A Shed Requires A Permit In OK?

Anything over 200 square feet will require you to have a building permit.

Now having said this, you could possibly apply for a variance if your shed is only slightly larger than 200 square feet. For example, if your shed is going to be a 12×20, you may be able to request that an exception be permitted and void needing a permit. On the other hand, it would probably take just as long to file a variance instead of a permit. 

Who Should I Talk About My Shed Permit In Oklahoma?

We recommend that you contact the following 3 entities about your shed permits:

Your HOA

If you live in an HOA neighborhood, they may have governanaces about what your shed can look like. This may include siding material, approved colors, approved roofing, and other items. We recommend starting with your HOA approval because they will typically be the biggest hurdle in approving the shed that you want. 

Your Municipality 

Your municipality is the governing body of your local residence this could be a borough, township, city, or some other name. Most of the time, these local governing bodies will issue you the shed permit. In many cases, this organization would be the governing body that permits the building or allow variances. Below you will find a table of cities linking to their building permit application to get started.

Norman	City of Norman Building Permit
Broken Arrow	City of Broken Arrow Building Permit
Lawton	City of Lawton Building Permit
Moore	City of Moore Building Permit
Midwest City	Midwest City Building Permit
Stillwater	City of Stillwater Building Permit
Owasso	City of Owasso Building Permit
Bartlesville	City of Bartlesville Building Permit
Muskogee	City of Muskogee Building Permit
Comanche	City of Comanche Building Permit

Your County 

Depending on what part of Oklahoma you live in, your county building office may be the best place to start getting your permit. Not all areas have a local government if that population is small or if the county is small. If they are not able to give you the permit, they would be able to help you know who to contact in the local government to get the permit. Below is a table of counties in Oklahoma linking to their building permit application to get started.

Oklahoma County	Oklahoma County Building Permit
Tulsa County	Tulsa County Building Permit
Canadian County	Canadian County Building Permit
Rogers County	Rogers County Building Permit
Wagoner County	Wagoner County Building Permit
Pottawatomie County	Pottawatomie County Building Permit

What Is the Penalty of Not Having A Shed Permit? 

Without having a shed permit in Oklahoma, your shed typically results in fines of up to $500 a day. In some circumstances, you could have your shed demolished. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to shed permits.

How Much Does A Shed Permit Cost?

Shed permits will cost you anywhere from $25 per shed permit up to $180 per shed permit depending on what county of Oklahoma you live in. Some counties have additional costs depending on the construction materials that you use to build your shed.

All in all, a shed permit is relatively affordable and will prevent you from receiving fines or needing to start your project over again. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is My Shed Permit Valid For In Oklahoma? 

In the state of Oklahoma, your shed permit will be valid for 6 months or longer. The range of permit length is heavily dependent on the county in which you live. If you have specific questions on what your area allows for.

Can An HOA Deny My Shed?

Unfortunately, yes. 

HOAs typically have strict rules on the sheds allowed within the neighborhood. This is why we think talking with your HOA before you purchase your shed is very important. 

If you are worried about being able to find a shed that fits all the specifications of your HOA, try out our 3D Shed builder and get it to fit the exact specs. 

Do I Need A Shed Foundation For A Shed Permit?

You do not need a shed pad foundation for your shed. The only time your shed would need a foundation is if it is not built on a skid system. However, all of the sheds that are built without skids will require you to have a foundation system in place. 

If I Have A Shed Permit, Can I Build The Shed Myself?

It’s possible to build your own shed with a shed permit. However, the shed permit needs to include approval of building plans as a part of the shed permit policy. In some cases, you may need a separate permit for building the shed itself.

Are There Specific Areas I Must Put My Shed?

The location of your shed will depend on your municipality’s rules and regulations. In most cases, the shed will need to be located a certain distance away from the property line as well as power lines. 

If you live on a large amount of acreage or are outside of the city limits most times, the concerns will not be something to worry about. However, they can become something that needs to be focused on when within neighborhoods or tight spaces.  

Do I Need To Have My Shed Inspected After It Has Been Placed?

Most of the time with prebuilt sheds, you do not need to have an inspection of the shed. Yet, if you build your own shed that is greater than 200 square feet you may be subject to having an inspection of the building. 

It may also depend on what you intend to use your shed for as to whether or not you need it to be inspected. If you plan to use it simply as storage no inspection should be required. Although, if you plan to use it for living purposes or as a business structure, you may be subject to different kinds of inspections.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, here is what you should take away from this blog. If your shed will be over 200 square feet, be prepared for your shed to require some kind of permit. That permit can be $50-$180 depending on what Oklahoma county you live in and should be valid for at least 6 months.

Permits should be obtained from your municipal or county government office.

In most cases, you will need your shed to be away from your property line by a few feet. So long as you do not intend on using your shed for living quarters and it is under the maximum limit you should not need to have your shed inspected after installation. 

Most importantly make sure your HOA and local government approve your shed before purchasing, or you could end up with fines or a stop-build order. 

Once you are ready to get your shed, contact us we would love to help you find the building that fits your needs the best!