Building a Shed and Need Some Input

We are looking to put a shed up in the yard to help free up garage space. The original location got denied by the city as it was too close to a dwelling and property line.

We changed it to a less desirable spot and it will take extra landscaping changes to make it blend into the yard but thats what we are stuck with.

However, we thought we found a silver lining--by changing the location it will create a barrior between us and the backyard neighbors which will be taller than a fence and provide a bit more privacy. It will shrink the yard a bit and make it narrower but we hope to create a " [ " shaped area using the house the shed and some landscaping to create a private and chill spot to hang out.

Question one. I am going over specs and am at a crossroads on sizing. Debating between 8 foot and 10 foot width.  With an 8 foot we would buy some room to not cram the yard as much.  It would be a narrower but longer building. Say 8 x 12, 8x 14 for example.

Or shoud I stick with a 10 X 10 or 10X112.

Will the more narrow 8 foot width be annoying?

Question two-- Base. Gravel base is what im reading, specifically 3/4 stone/#57 gravel. Washed.  Our area stays a bit wet after much rain which some information makes it seem like this will be a problem. I dont think it should matter  much but i could be wrong.  People say to avoid river wash gravel as it doesnt lock together. Maks sense. 

Should I just stick to the 3/4 stone?

Question three--I have option for a steel roof. Does it matter? Cost is about the same.

OVerhead shot of the house. The shed would go 5 feet from the back yard fence from either neighbor. It would  go by where the light green and dark green bushes are on the right along the back wall.

Any other input or thoughts before I get underway with this? I was planning on building the base and farming out the shed build.

PS: Anyone in Cleveland wanna build a shed? (would rather support a GRM / local shop)

I just put up a big 12x24 shed this spring and completely underestimated the labor for the site preparation. How level is the yard?  Gravel is about 2800lbs/yard, and I think the standard is to have the gravel pad 1' bigger than the shed all the way around. My yard was a little out of flat, and I ended up dragging home 11 tons of material. A 4" pad should be about 5800lbs for a 12x14 pad. Not unmanageable, but just an FYI. 

Quality varies a lot between some of the pre built vs professionally built on site vs home Depot kits vs a full up DIY job. As with anything, I'd you're paying someone to build one. it'd be great to see what sort of work they've done and what quality materials they're using.

Don't have much to add for the base, but if you stick to increments of 4' for your length you should make your life slightly easier in terms of planning and cutting for sheathing the outside and roof as you build..

Not much to add but the bigger sheds allow you to keep crap you should've gotten rid of.  

My father-in-law moved into his house in 1964 and his shed is like a museum of super old, scary stuff.  He's still mad I got rid of ten 1/3 full old fertilizer bags (Waste Management has a good process to dispose of chemicals)

What are the requirements for permitting in your city? Most places don't require permitting if under 120 sq. ft.. 

I built my shed 5 years or so ago and I absolutely love everything about it. 

I kept mine under 120 sq ft so I wouldn't need to permit. Then I built it on skids so that I could move it if needed. This allowed me to put it where I want- it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. It's a bit close to the fence, but I have a good neighbor, the shed looks nice, and trees block it from view anyways. On the off chance anyone complains, I can just move it. Surface prep was minimal. 15 (or was it 18?) concrete pavers for the 3 skids to rest on. I  just leveled them to each other. 
 

I went with 14'x8', and tall- 8' walls with a 4' attic at the roof peak (barn style.) It works great for my use, more wall space and less space in the middle Vs. a wider layout. I used this plan with the following changes...

8x12 Shed Plans

1) I lengthened it to 14' to get closer to the 120 sq. ft. limit.

2) I put double doors on BOTH ends. This was a terrific idea. Now nothing is more than 7' from the door. I can Get to everything easy with blocking things in. 
 

3) I added a large attic storage- 4x8 at both ends, and 4x6 on one side connecting the ends, with a 4x6 opening. Lots of storage space up there. 
 

4) I I added "floating" shelving along one wall (under the attic space.) It's secured to the attic above and the wall, but stops about 3' above the floor. This lets me store large items (lawnmower, mountain bike, kids dirtbike) below the shelves. 
 

5) The opposite side is skinned with pegboard for hanging up garden equipment. 
 

Another tip- I used roofing OSB that has a reflective metal layer on one side. I used It for the roof, the inner gables, and the insides of the ends including the inside part of the doors. My shed is pointed East-West, and it keeps it much cooler. 

Boost_Crazy said:

What are the requirements for permitting in your city? Most places don't require permitting if under 120 sq. ft.

I think 100 square feet is more typical for the upper size limit without a permit, but he should check local regulations to make sure.  This size does conveniently works out to 8x12.  I've also considered the idea of a 4x24 shed, that could also act as a privacy fence of sorts.

There will be a lot of opinions based on personal situations. 

I agree 100 sq. ft. before permitting is more common than 120.  While 100 ft is my limit, I took a chance on 8 x 16 since I could somewhat hide it in the corner of my yard and none of my neighbors really care much.  The shed is currently the least of the eye-sores in my back yard...  I have old metal archive shelving units in mine, attached to studs and also with no bottom shelf to make floor storage easier. I have three engines and a bunch of transmissions on the floor, so the "bottom" shelf is fairly high. 

Windows are a double-edged sword thing.  I have one and then promptly covered it for security (I had two dirt bikes inside when I built the shed).   I need to get a roll-up shade or something so I can quickly uncover the window when I need more light since there is no power to the shed.

Speaking of power... there are some simple designs out there for 12v solar power LED lighting systems if you can't or don't want to run power to the shed.  Basic gist: solar panel to charger controller to small battery; charge controller output to light switch to 12V LED lights.  Total system parts from Amazon total around $100.   One typically isn't inside a shed for long enough to need a ton of battery capacity.  A small battery often used in security or incoming internet cabinets is enough.  That's yet another project I need to finish... 

Don't forget to add some gable vents on each end. 

If you think you might store heavy things in the shed, don't skimp on the floor materials.  Good 3/4" plywood. 

I built the base of the shed from pressure treated 2x6 on 12x24x2" solid blocks on a gravel base, 48" on center in three rows.  Part of me wishes I'd added a 4th row.  GT6 engines are heavy.

I home-built the door as a pair of 24"w doors.   It works, but could be better as it doesn't seal well. 

If anyone has any advice on how to get rid of ground hogs and/or prevent them from digging burrows under a shed in the first place, I'd love to hear suggestions. 

Never heard anyone regret making a garage or shed too big.  Our shed is on a cement pad, worth the money if you plan to stay there a while.  

I had stopped by the City Hall and the building department to pick up some forms several weeks ago, but I called them today just to be sure, doesn't matter what size shed you were building it must have a permit so I'm kind of locked in there.
 

I was planning on having no windows, but fence obviously to help it breathe. No roll up doors just standard shed. Swing doors.

I really like the idea for lighting. After the initial build, I think something like that will be implemented. I like that a lot.

I built mine almost 10 years ago. I also did the skid thing to avoid permitting. I got a pallet that a CNC machine was delivered on and used old barn doors for the walls, because I was using recycled material the size is funky 9'W x 8' deep. I ran power to mine because I needed power there.

I can't agree with Ian F enough, put a good floor down. I cheaped and went 1/2" ply and it was springy, I hated it for a couple years and then I broke down and put 3/4" right over the top of it. It would have been a lot easier to do it right the first time. 

I've never lived in OH, but I have 45 years experience in construction. 
 

You may be asking the wrong questions...

If you are asking about permitting to "build a shed", then you are building something. Many municipalities require building permits to build anything. 
 

But a pre-built delivered shed on skids isn't building anything. It's sticking something portable in your back yard. Just like a picnic bench, a portable gazebo, or a camper. These frequently do not require building permits (although they may require DOT permits to transport).  YMMV. 
 

Ask a dealer who sells pre-fab sheds if a building permit is required. They will usually know.

The building department is in the business of collecting permit fees, so they will almost always say a permit is required (even when they are not).  I have won this debate with local building admins countless times.  (But I've never worked in your area).

Q1- Depends on your storage needs. There is nothing wrong with an 8' wide shed. It will fit a riding lawn mower with space to walk around. Sometimes a square shed (like a 10x10) just gives more dead floor space in the middle, and encourages people to just dump stuff in it and clutter it. Note that a 10x10 shed has 40 LF of wall space.  An 8x14 has 12 more SF, but more importantly it also has 4 more LF of wall (which matters for shelving or hanging garden tools)

Q2- Is a base required for the shed?  Most have a wood floor and can sit on skids on blocks

Q3- Roof is personal preference. I like mine to match the house roof. I don't think there is a significant difference in longevity or maintenance (but there may be a cost difference)

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

I put wire mesh between the floor joists and buried in a few inches to keep animals out from underneath mine.

In reply to SV reX :

I was 99% sure you were right, as that has been my experience too. But I  looked it up for his city, and they are incredibly restrictive...

Richmond Heights Shed Rules

Even pre-assembled and kit sheds need permits. They have a maximum size restriction of 120 sq. ft. for lots smaller than 15000 sq. ft.. But the worst part is they require the shed to be a ridiculous 10' from the property line. He pretty much needs to put it in the middle of his yard! 
 

If it were me, I'd check if the permit was just a $50 fee and you are done, or if they are actually going to inspect. Then I 'd put the shed on skids so that I could move it closer to the fence. 

I should update my location. I'm in North Ridgeville Ohio. I need to be 5 feet from property line and 10 feet from the house. 
 

that's why the back corner of the yard works. The other corner has a drain and a dramatic slope to it which I don't want to deal with. Tends to stay wet too. 

Rather strict rules for our city. I guess it's a recent change for updates to the rules based on talking to some old timers. And looking around the city and all the weird stuff people erect in their yards I think it might help a bit haha still not a fan of all the paperwork and overreaching 

So, they are issuing building permits when you are not building anything?  Yep. That's overreach. 
 

I've won confrontations similar to that with overreaching local authorities. You'd be surprised how easy it can be sometimes to push back on people who are trying to over apply local rules. 
 

Im not suggesting you take them on. I'm just saying that I have, and have been successful.

Ok, so I read your local   Ridgeville OH permit application.  I know it seems restrictive, but honestly it's no different than hundreds of others I've read. The difference is in the interpretation by the local administrators. 
 

I'm NOT suggesting you debate with them.   Make your own decisions. But here is how I read it (and the loopholes as I see them).

The loophole is that they require a permit "to install a new garage or outbuilding or to replace or modify an existing one", and in their use of the words "outbuilding" and "building".  
 

A permit is required for an outbuilding, but "outbuilding" is not defined. They do, however, outline the specifications for different building foundations:

"Buildings of light frame construction less than 600 square feet with eave height of 10 feet or less may
be slab on grade or conventional foundation, buildings over 600 square feet must have a
conventional foundation 36 inches deep per code."

Apparently these guidelines ONLY apply to buildings with a slab on grade or conventional foundation 36" deep. A shed on skids does not meet either of these specifications.  Basically, it's not a "building".  It doesn't meet the code, or the local requirements to be a building.
 

Your local ordinances look exactly like most others I have seen.  Local authorities have not passed an ordinance defining the permitting rules for a shed on skids, and local administrators are assuming they are outbuildings and require permits.  They are applying the building permit rules (whether they are applicable  or not), and collecting those fees.

Again, I'm not suggesting you fight them. I'm just saying you have a solid case.

My boss used to have a business manufacturing "buildings" out of shipping containers.  He built over 3000 of them.  Mostly commercial uses- offices, classrooms, data com rooms, transformer rooms, mobile surgery, etc.

It was very common for him to meet challenges with local codes that didn't allow buildings built out of "shipping containers". 
 

Every one of his containers was modified in some way.  Add a window, a door, etc.  The thing is that once a shipping container is modified, it is no longer serviceable as a shipping container. It can't be certified. It may have formerly been a shipping container, but it no longer is. His units were metal boxes, and former shipping containers, but none of them were shipping containers.

I know it's a semantics argument, but he never lost. Over 3000 units and he never lost.

You are in a similar situation. 

SVreX,  it's a very interesting point you bring up. So after reading that, and seeing how shed is not defined really as anything, does that mean that I don't need to theoretically adhere to their about placement? 5 feet from each property line and 10 feet off the house?

In reply to CarKid1989 :

If it was me, I wouldn't give a crap about their "rules", and would build what I want on skids without asking or getting a permit.  If they bitched I'd write them a formal letter saying how I was completely in keeping with all local ordinances. If they pushed harder, I'd simply move it.

But I am completely confident they wouldn't push harder (because local authorities never have).  They are rule followers, and don't know what to do if there is no rule supporting their position. They generally don't like confrontation, and certainly don't want to go to court.  They'll just overreach on the next guy.

The only exception is if your neighbors complain. THEN they will usually follow up and push harder. 
 

My last 3 sheds I took with me when I moved.  It's not a building.  It's just "stuff" in my back yard (like a barbecue grill or a kiddie swim pool).  There are no rules about how close to the property line I put my doghouse.

But that's just me. I would never suggest it for anyone else. 
 

Is this an HOA neighborhood?

The one thing I would do before building is talk with my neighbor. I'd have a friendly conversation asking if he'd mind if I put it on the property line (and suggesting that I would be ok with him also having one back-to-back with mine). I'd also ask him how I could make it nice for him.  Paint color, roof type, etc.

Im more concerned with being friendly with my neighbors than with enabling bureaucratic overreach. 

Non HOA neighborhood. 
 

Updates!

Applied for a variance to get the shed closer to the property line then is usually allowed--- took a whole month of waiting between city council meetings and a fee and , got approved in two minutes after that. 
Then I had to apply for a permit which was granted in two weeks. Another fee. 
 

Shed pad went in this past weekend.  Not bad but lots of time spent getting level but it was fun working with my little son and Dad. 

No build help here, but check your building codes.

1.)  My neighbor is putting up a fence, she wants what she wants and put the 4X6 poles on the outside of the fence.  (Code says good side out).  So rather than look at the poles she didn't want to look at, she bought double the number of cedar panels to cover both sides.  When the building inspector came, he noticed my shed was 3-4ft. from the line;; code says 12 feet.  I move it this week.

2.)  My Outlaws lived in Dayton Ohio area, their shed had to have a floor and the floor had to have a bar of some length driven into the ground with a chain connecting the shed frame to the pole.  Tornado precaution. 

Have fun.