Michigan HOA Shed Guide | HOA Friendly Sheds

If you live in a Michigan neighborhood with an HOA and are thinking about adding a shed, you’re not alone. Many homeowners want more room for tools, seasonal equipment, lawn care items, or a small workspace. Sheds have become a popular upgrade across communities throughout Michigan.

Before you begin planning, you need to know that HOAs often enforce specific rules on size, materials, colors, and placement. These requirements vary widely, and missing a step can lead to fines or being told to remove the shed.

This guide explains the key Michigan HOA shed rules you need to understand, including approval steps, design restrictions, and placement standards.

Shed Approval: How Much Power Does an HOA Have in Michigan?

Homeowners often start with a simple question when planning a shed in Michigan: Are sheds allowed in my HOA community? The answer depends on the rules in your HOA’s governing documents, including the CC&Rs, bylaws, and architectural guidelines. These outline what is permitted and what requires approval. Reviewing them early prevents problems and gives you a clear understanding of what your committee expects. If anything is unclear, reach out to your HOA board or management company for clarification.

Are Sheds Allowed in HOA Communities?

Yes, some Michigan HOAs allow sheds but place limits on size, materials, and placement. Others allow sheds only in certain parts of the property or require screening to reduce visibility.

If My Neighbor Has A Shed, Does That Mean I Can Too?

Not necessarily. There are several reasons why a neighbor’s shed might exist without proper HOA approval: 

• They received prior approval that’s no longer being enforced
• They applied for and received a variance or exception
• They may have constructed the shed without following proper procedures

 Additionally, HOA rules and enforcement policies can change over time, so an older shed in the neighborhood doesn’t guarantee that new sheds would be permitted today. Some HOAs are more lenient with existing structures but enforce rules more strictly for new construction to prevent further violations.

Can an HOA Stop You from Building a Shed?

Yes, some HOAs may ban sheds from the neighborhood entirely to keep a uniform aesthetic throughout the community. 

Can an HOA Make You Take Down a Shed?

Yes, if your shed does not comply with HOA rules, then they can ask you to make alterations or even tear it down completely. This is why confirming compliance before building is essential.

Common Michigan HOA Shed Rules: What You Need to Know

Common Michigan HOAs set clear standards for shed size, design, materials, and placement. The goal is to maintain the neighborhood’s consistency and prevent sheds from creating visual or property concerns. Although each community sets its own guidelines, several common rules are found across many Michigan HOAs. Here are the ones you are most likely to encounter:

1. Size Restrictions

Most HOAs impose limits on shed dimensions, including:

• Total square footage (often between 100 and 200 square feet)
• Maximum height  (frequently around 12-15 feet from the ground)

2. Approved Materials and Colors

You will also find rules governing materials and colors, including:

• Color palette that matches the overall neighborhood aesthetic or your home
• Shed siding and trim match the materials and finishes of your home
• No metal sheds allowed
• No bright or unusual colors, stick to neutrals and earth-tones

3. Location and Setback Requirements

Your HOA likely has specific rules about where you can place a shed on your lot. Common restrictions include:

• Setbacks from property lines, fences, homes, and other structures (often 5 to 10 feet from property lines and 2 to 5 feet from fences)
• Located in the backyard only and completely hidden from street view
• Avoid easements and utility areas (call 811, Michigan’s underground utility locating service, before you dig)
• Placed in an area that maintains proper drainage and grading, avoids low spots, and does not obstruct French Drains, storm drains, or natural water flow.

4. Roof Style and Design

Michigan HOAs also want your shed’s roof to be complementary to your home and neighborhood. Typical requirements include:

• Matching roof style and materials to your home
• Pitch or slope that is consistent with the neighborhood 
• Some HOAs may even prohibit flat roofs altogether.

5. Utility Hookups

Michigan HOAs typically prohibit utility hookups such as electricity, water, natural gas, or sewer connections to storage sheds. This restriction is in place for several reasons:

• Prevents sheds from being converted into unauthorized living spaces
• Minimizes potential fire and safety hazards
• Avoids complications with utility companies and municipal codes
• Helps maintain the “storage only” designation of the structure

However, if you need electricity or water for a legitimate purpose, some HOAs may grant exceptions or variances on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it’s worth asking your management company if there are any allowances or alternatives available.

6. Number of Sheds Per Lot

Many Michigan HOAs limit property owners to a single storage shed per residential lot. This restriction prevents yards from becoming cluttered with multiple structures, thereby maintaining the open, residential feel of the neighborhood. If you have a genuine need for additional storage beyond what a single shed can provide, you may be able to request a variance from your HOA board; however, approval is not guaranteed.

7. Permit Requirements

Before you can legally construct a storage shed on your property, most Michigan HOAs require that you obtain written approval from the HOA’s architectural review committee or board of directors. The approval process protects both you and your HOA by ensuring that the project meets all community standards before construction begins. Some HOAs may also require coordination with local municipal building permits, which can add additional steps to the approval timeline. It’s essential to note that HOA approval is separate from, and in addition to, any permits required by your city or township.

Planning A Shed That Meets HOA Requirements

A smooth HOA review starts with accurate site planning, clear documentation, and a design that aligns with community standards. Use the steps below to prepare your project before submitting your application.

Verify the Location on Your Property

• Mark the shed footprint and planned height with stakes or string
• Measure distances to property lines, your home, fences, and visible utilities
• Confirm the area is not on a slope or in a drainage low point
• Check for utility lines that may run through the site
• Walk around the marked area to see how visible the shed will be from all angles
• Move forward only when the location meets all placement expectations

Document the Site and Your Plans

• Take photos of the proposed location
• Record all measurements
• Create basic sketches or a simple site plan
• Include these materials in your approval packet to save time later

Plan Screening and Landscaping

• Choose plants based on mature size to ensure long-term coverage
• Use faster-growing species if you need immediate screening
• Select native or climate-appropriate plants that thrive in Michigan
• Review HOA rules before adding fencing, privacy panels, or lattice
• Match any non-plant screening to your shed materials when required
• Confirm that the screening methods are allowed in your guidelines
  

Avoid Common Planning Errors

• Guessing utility locations instead of verifying them
• Choosing low spots that hold water
• Ignoring visibility from neighboring properties
• Underestimating the level of screening required
• Skipping measurements
• Rushing placement decisions

Design a Shed That Fits Community Standards

• Choose siding, roofing, and colors that match your home
• Keep the shed proportional to your lot and within size limits
• Use placement to hide utilities or improve yard layout
• Add foundation plantings or fencing to integrate the structure into your landscape
• Use trim, roof style, and hardware that complement your home

Maximize Interior Use Without Increasing Exterior Size

• Incorporate flexible workspace layouts
• Add built-in shelving
• Use wall-mounted storage

The HOA Shed Approval and Permit Process in Michigan

Before you build a storage shed on your Michigan property, you must satisfy two regulators: your HOA and your local city, township, or county. HOA approval control design and neighborhood standards. Municipal approval controls zoning, safety, and building codes. You need both before construction.

While the specific steps may vary slightly depending on your individual HOA’s procedures or your locality’s requirements, the shed approval process generally follows a consistent framework that most HOAs and municipalities in Michigan have adopted. 

Step 1: Contact Your HOA and Get the Right Forms

Start by contacting your HOA management company or architectural review committee and requesting the correct application for a shed project. Most HOAs require a formal written request or architectural review application that asks for:

• Your name, address, and lot number
• A description of the proposed shed
• Basic information about size, materials, and location

Submit this request in writing using the HOA’s official form so there is a clear record. Keep copies of everything you send, and ask for confirmation that your application was received.

Step 2: Confirm Local Zoning and Basic Municipal Rules

While you gather HOA forms, also call or email your city or township zoning office. You need to confirm that a shed is allowed on your lot under local zoning and what limits apply. Ask:

• Are sheds or accessory structures allowed in my zoning district?
• Are there size limits or height limits?
• What setback distances from property lines and the house are required?
• Do I need a building permit for the size of the shed I want to build?
  

Each Michigan community sets its own rules. Some allow small sheds without permits, some restrict sheds by zone, and some classify sheds under different categories. To find out what your area requires, search for “{your city} zoning department” or “{your county} zoning department” or call them directly. 

You can find out more about Michigan’s shed requirements in our detailed guide.

Step 3: Prepare Detailed Shed Plans for HOA Review

Next, prepare the comprehensive, detailed plans for your proposed shed. Most HOAs are looking for this to include:

• Exact dimensions (length, width, and height)
• Detailed materials list (siding type, roofing material, paint color with specific color codes)
• Foundation type
• Door and window locations
• Roof pitch or slope
• A site plan that shows the shed’s location on your lot, including setback distances from property lines, your house, fences, and other structures

If you use a contractor, they can often supply drawings and specs. For prefab sheds or DIY builds, you may need to pull specs from the manufacturer and create a simple site sketch. Include color samples so the committee can see how the shed ties into your home.

Once your plans reflect both HOA guidelines and basic municipal zoning limits, you are ready to submit.

Step 4: Submit Your HOA Application for Approval 

Now, submit all required documents to your HOA, including:

• The architectural review form
• Detailed shed plans and site plan
• Color samples and material descriptions

In most Michigan HOAs, the review period is around 30 days, although this can vary. During review, the committee checks:

• Size and height against HOA limits
• Materials and colors against community standards
• Placement against setback, visibility, and screening rules

If your plans meet all standards, you receive written approval. If not, the committee can request changes. Respond promptly and edit your plans accordingly so your project doesn’t get delayed.

Step 5: Notify Neighbors (When Required)

Some HOAs require you to notify adjoining neighbors, especially those who share a property line or sit close to the proposed shed location. Your HOA will tell you:

• Which neighbors must be notified
• If notice must be written or if verbal notice is acceptable
• If neighbors must receive a copy of your plans
  

If formal notice is required, do it in writing and keep proof. This step can add a short comment period before final HOA approval, but it often prevents later disputes.

Step 6: Apply for Municipal Building Permit

Once you have written HOA approval, you still need to satisfy your city or township. If a building permit is required in your area, you must obtain it before construction begins.

Typical permit steps include:

• Submitting an application to the building department
• Providing plans and specs that match the HOA-approved design
• Paying a permit fee
• Receiving an issued permit that must be posted or kept on site
  

Permits exist to confirm that your shed meets structural and safety standards. Many municipalities also require inspections, often at the foundation stage and after completion. Building without required permits can lead to fines, orders to remove the shed, a stop-work notice, or problems when you try to sell the home.

To find out more about building permit requirements or where to find shed permits in Michigan, check out our guide covering this in more detail.

Step 7: Build to Code and to Your Approved Plans

After you have both HOA approval and any required building permit, you can build. At this stage, your priorities are:

• Follow the approved plans exactly for size, placement, and exterior materials
• Make sure the foundation, walls, and roof meet local building code standards
• Use licensed trades for electrical work if applicable
• Schedule inspections promptly when your municipality requires them

If you change size, height, placement, or exterior finishes mid-project, you may need to seek revised approval from the HOA and possibly update your permit.

Quick Reference Guide: Storage Shed HOA Approval in Michigan

• A shed can add real value to your Michigan property by freeing up storage space and creating room for tools, hobbies, and seasonal equipment.
• If you live in an HOA community, approval is not optional. It is a legal requirement in your governing documents and must be completed before any construction.
• Do your homework before you design or buy anything. Read your CC&Rs and architectural guidelines, consult with your HOA, and verify local zoning and building code regulations.
• Follow the full approval process: submit the official application, provide detailed plans and a site plan, wait for written HOA approval, then obtain any required municipal building permits and inspections.
• Skipping approvals or ignoring rules can lead to fines, forced removal of the shed, liens on your property, insurance or resale problems, and conflicts with your HOA and neighbors.
• Read the fine print, ask direct questions, get answers in writing, and base your plans on the rules rather than on what you see other neighbors doing.

Your Shed Project Can Go Smoothly

With the right preparation, your Michigan shed project can move forward without stress. When you understand your HOA’s rules, confirm local zoning limits, and design your shed to meet both sets of requirements, the process becomes far more predictable. Submit a complete application, respond quickly to HOA requests, secure any required municipal permits, and build exactly according to your approved plans. This upfront effort is minor compared to the long-term benefit of having a compliant, attractive shed that enhances your property and avoids fines, disputes, or forced changes.

With proper planning, your shed project can succeed without complications or costly mistakes. Choosing a shed company that offers flexible design options and a clear planning process can make this even easier, especially if they provide a design tool that helps you align your shed with HOA and local requirements.