Do I Need Permits For My New Shed?
Just like any purchase you make, several steps are involved in purchasing a Stoltzfus Structures’ shed, like obtaining a permit, which ensures your structure can be safely and legally placed on your property. Understanding the consequences of having a structure without a permit is crucial when embarking on a journey to find your perfect shed. The guide below will explain the steps you can take and the extensive knowledge our team has to help you find your perfect shed.
Who Can Pull The Permits?
Permits can feel like a daunting task since most people are not entirely sure what they need them for and what purpose they serve. A permit is a document that is issued by a local government agency allowing for the construction or addition of a structure. These are used to ensure your shed meets the standards and regulations that are involved in your location. This would mean anything from the materials used in your structure, electrical work, plumbing, property lines, height restrictions, and any environmental challenges on your property. Whether or not you need a permit depends on the township you live in and whether it requires permits for this specific structure. This also has to do with whether you are choosing to have your shed built on site instead of having a prefab shed delivered and set on your property. Townships all have different rules and regulations for their homeowners, and will describe in detail what is needed from you when you disclose your plans to add one to your property. You may pull your own permits, but our team is also able to do this for you to eliminate stress. Stoltzfus Structures can pull permits in PA, NJ, MD, DE, CT, and RI.
What to Expect with Permits – Cost and Process
If you are pulling your own permits, each township’s price can vary, and the only prices you would need to focus on from us would be the deposit and payment for your shed project to be built and delivered. If we are able to and you choose to have us take care of pulling your structures permits, we require a fee of $200 (price is subject to change), but some townships may have additional charges depending on your location. This permit-pulling process typically takes between three and four weeks until approval is received.
Having our team pull your permit can benefit you in many ways, such as communication with your township. Our team understands that you have a busy schedule, and pulling a permit yourself can be a long and stressful process. If our team pulled your permit for you, then you would not have to deal with the back and forth with your township, depending on what they needed. Another benefit is our general understanding of the process. Our team reads tons of different township requirements and fills out many applications for clients, so they are well-versed in what information is needed. Some of these applications can be very complicated, depending on the style structure you move forward with, the area you would like to place your shed, and the town’s rules and requests when a structure is placed. Stoltzfus Structures’ goal is to make your shed-buying process as easy as possible, which is why many of our clients choose to have our team pull the permits for them, if we are able.
Site Prep, Property Lines, and Permits
Some townships may require an exact location you would like your shed to be when applying for a permit, which is where our team’s site visits could be introduced. With a site visit, they will recommend a good location to place your shed and help make decisions, which will save time and help prevent delays during the permit process. Townships will look at your property lines to ensure the location of your shed is within the setbacks. If you are unsure of your exact property lines, you may be required to get a survey done, where a company will come and measure your property and mark where your property lines exist. Depending on your location and the size of your lot, our team anticipates this price to be anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or more.
Using your property lines and the location of other buildings on or around your property, some townships will require a plot plan. This plan will be a sketch of where your shed will be placed based on its surrounding limitations, like existing buildings and your exact property lines. This is important for small properties that may not have much yard space and are close to another house, or in a city, where close buildings are present. Plot plans and property lines may sound daunting and something that can add stress, but don’t worry, our team will help you through this!
Preparing your property for the delivery of your shed is very important for the overall structural integrity. If you choose to complete your own site work, we cannot be held accountable for any damages due to settling or water damage. If you use our site prep team, we will help eliminate stress and provide a “one-stop shop”. Below, you can see the different kinds of site preparations we can do for your structures, such as stone, monolithic, and block. CLICK HERE to learn more about our site prep service.
Got Your Permits? Now What Do You Want?
Sometimes you are just looking at a shed for your basic storage needs, but other times, you need something with a little more pizazz and flair. The images above show an Elite Shed Greenhouse, one of our featured projects, that combined a garage and shed into one structure and then added a greenhouse as well. They knocked out three birds with one stone! Between the stark dark paint and the sleek exterior, this shed structure adds not only beauty to the property but also value. This client added dormers to their shed to create cohesiveness with the greenhouse’s features. This shed combines beauty with a great deal of functionality and storage space. If you are interested in something like this shed design, get a quote HERE.
These beautiful images above showcase another featured project, a Garden A-frame Elite Shed. This client decided against using their shed as the typical area for storage but instead created a livable space with a sleeping loft, home gym, and a dining table. It’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. If you are into the ideas of a shed-style exterior but a living area on the inside, or even a generic layout or style of this shed, get a quote HERE.
Shop Our Sheds
Stoltzfus Structures has tons of sheds to choose from, ranging from Storage Sheds, Garden Sheds, and Elite Sheds. As far as basic storage needs go, look into our Mini Barn, A-Frame, Quaker, Hywall, Modern Lean-To, Dormer, Timber Frame, Hip Roof, Firewood, Concession Stand, or Self-Storage structures. If you are looking for something that’s better equipped to hold your gardening supplies and equipment, check out our Garden A-Frame, Garden Quaker, Garden Hywall, Garden Carriage, Garden Charm, Garden Transom Dormer, Garden Manor, Garden Hip Roof, or Garden Cottage shed. Lastly, if higher quality and beauty are better for your wants and needs, consider the Garden A-Frame Elite, Garden Hywall Elite, Garden Carriage Elite, and the Manor Elite shed. If you are looking to purchase one of these sheds and have one that is looking a bit worse for wear, look into our shed removal service.
If you have any other questions about shed permits or what kinds of sheds Stoltzfus Structures offers, contact us or call – 610-593-7700 – to connect with our team. We can’t wait to hear about your special shed project!
Jada Morris
Recently graduated from college, I take advantage of having more free time and spend those moments catching up on my love of reading, brainstorming ideas for design projects, and spending time with my family, friends, and furry companions. I have two Golden Retrievers that are complete opposites, one who has enough energy to run three marathons a day if he could, and the other who would be happy to stay in bed all day! I might relate a bit more to the later but am always up for an adventure.
