Austin, TX shed and backyard pod permit exemption

Austin exempts a one-story detached accessory structure of no more than 200 sq ft of floor area and 15 ft in height. The exemption does not apply if the structure has plumbing, creates a dwelling or is in a flood hazard area. New wiring is not on Austin's list of exempt electrical work.

Austin quick facts

Size limit: 200 sq ft or less
Measured as: Floor area.
Height: 15 ft or less.
Electrical power: New wiring is not on the exempt list for residential electrical work (the list covers items such as cord-and-plug decorative lighting and like-for-like replacements).
Use: Must not create a dwelling.
Source: Austin Development Services Department
Checked: Nov 5, 2026

Official text

“A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.”

Source: Austin Development Services Department.

Other conditions

No plumbing
Not in a flood hazard area

Pod sizes compared with the Austin size limit

33 of 36 pod sizes are within the 200 sq ft limit by floor area. The other 3 are over the limit.

Autonomous MetroPod: 80 sq ft
Autonomous WorkPod: 102 sq ft
Autonomous StudioPod: 105 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 10 ft: 80 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 16 ft: 128 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 10 ft: 100 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 14 ft: 140 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 16 ft: 160 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 20 ft: 200 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 12 ft: 144 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 16 ft: 128 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 14 ft: 140 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 16 ft: 160 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 12 ft: 144 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 12 x 14 ft: 168 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 12 x 16 ft: 192 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 14 x 14 ft: 196 sq ft

Of the pods within the limit, 3 ship pre-wired, all from Autonomous. This rule addresses electrical power, so that condition applies to them.

The building department for the address decides whether a permit is required. This site repeats published rules and compares them with published pod sizes. Zoning rules, HOA rules and setbacks can also apply.