How far from the property line can you place a tool shed?

A tool shed is an ideal solution for those who need a space to store garden machinery and tools. When planning to buy a tool shed, the question arises: where can you place such a structure? It is worth diving into the legal regulations to learn how far from the property boundary you can place a tool shed.

Where will a tool shed come in handy?

Tool sheds are small building structures, typically with a footprint not exceeding a few square meters. Their size, however, does not mean they are uncompact. The designs will thus suit anyone who needs extra space to store essential accessories and tools useful for gardening tasks. Inside tool sheds you can find many clever solutions that significantly increase their capacity.

Tool shed without a permit – is that possible?

The conditions for placing all buildings on plots are set out in the Building Law Act, issued on July 7, 1994. The document describes situations in which applying for a building permit for a building/small structure is not required. A tool shed and other structures may be erected without a building permit if they are:

• temporary construction works, not permanently connected with the ground and intended for demolition or relocation to another place within the time specified in the notification referred to in art. 30 para. 1, but no later than 180 days from the day of commencement of construction specified in the notification,
• freestanding ground-floor buildings (including garages, garden houses) with built-up area up to 35 m2, bearing in mind that the total number of these objects must not exceed two per each 500 m2 of land area,
• economic objects associated with agricultural production and supplementary to farm buildings within the existing farm area (including single-storey agricultural buildings with built-up area up to 35 m2, with a span not greater than 4.80 m).

Does a tool shed require notification?

In general, most tool sheds are not very large buildings, which means you don’t need a legal permit to erect them. But does that mean a tool shed isn’t subject to other procedures? Absolutely not.

In accordance with the 2017 amendment to the Building Law Act, all outbuildings that strictly meet the criteria contained in art. 29 require only notification to the relevant authorities. For tool sheds with a small useful area this is not necessary, but it is certainly the safest solution. Unfortunately, the regulations regarding the construction of small outbuildings (area below 35 m2) are not entirely clear and may be interpreted differently by various offices.

How to notify a tool shed?

Notifications for tool sheds are made by delivering to the local office completed documents concerning the planned construction works. The documentation must also include a declaration confirming land ownership by the owner, and in case of co-ownership – the co-owner’s consent. The attachments of technical documentation should in turn include a geodetic map, drawings and all consents or opinions.

Tool shed – how far from the property boundary should it be located according to the regulations?

To ensure the tool shed is placed in an appropriate spot, it is worth consulting the regulation issued by the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions such buildings must meet. According to the regulations, on a building plot it is permissible to:

• installation of a utility shed or garage with a length not exceeding 6.5 m and a height not exceeding 3 m directly at the property boundary or at a distance of at least 1.5 m with a wall without windows and doors,
• the extension of an existing building located closer than the distance specified in paragraph 1 from the boundary of the building plot, by no more than one storey, provided that in the extended wall located within a distance not greater than 4 m from the boundary, there may be no windows or doors,
• erecting structures without windows and doors at the boundary of the adjacent plot or at a distance not less than the distance specified in item 1, but not less than 1.5 m on a plot with a width of 16 m or smaller.

Can you place a tool shed beyond the boundary of the plot to avoid inspection?

A tool shed without notification can be erected if it does not exceed the size defined by building regulations and is placed in an appropriate location. The height of the shed, which should not exceed 3 m, and its distance from the property boundary, i.e. directly on the boundary or at a distance of 1.5 m, are important. What happens if we do not follow these guidelines?

Failure to comply with the regulations will be reported to the building supervision, e.g., by a neighbour. In such cases, the relevant authorities will enforce adherence to the generally accepted rules and require changes. That is why, before deciding to place a tool shed at the boundary of the plot, it is worth carefully measuring all distances.

Can you place a tool shed beyond the boundary of the plot without the neighbour’s consent?

Positioning a tool shed in a chosen spot on the plot is possible after meeting the conditions set out in the technical-building regulations. Building at the boundary of the property is not dependent on the neighbour’s prior consent. As far as placing a tool shed in the garden is concerned, simply follow the Polish building law. You do not need to ask any of your neighbours for permission to build a new structure.

Tool shed – how far from a fence can you place a structure?

To be sure that the wooden tool shed is located in the right place and that the distance from the property boundary is observed, refer to the Minister of Infrastructure’s regulation of 12 April 2002. The document contains information on where to site the structure and what distances from the property boundary to keep.

According to paragraph 12, item 4 of the regulation, “in single-family and farm buildings, taking into account separate provisions and the provisions of § 13, 19, 23, 36, 40, 60 and 271–273, it is permissible to build an outbuilding or garage with a length not greater than 6.5 m and a height not greater than 3 m directly at the boundary of the building plot or at a distance not less than 1.5 m with a wall without windows and doors”.

FAQ:

1. Tool shed – how far from the property boundary?

The tool shed is best placed at a minimum distance of 1.5 m from the property boundary, but legally it is also possible to place the structure directly on the boundary.

1. Where to notify about the construction of a tool shed?

The intention to build or assemble a ready-made tool shed should be notified to the local office.

1. Does a tool shed require notification?

In the case of tool sheds, it is enough to notify the intention to construct a utility building along with all formally required documents.