Freedom Code Compliance
Single Family

Custom Shed Construction

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Construction Plans
    Construction plans showing the shed location, dimensions, framing, design wind criteria and complete load path, foundation or anchorage, exterior-wall and opening relationship to property lines, and weather-resistant wall and roof construction.
  • Product Approvals
    Florida Product Approvals for structural components.
  • Site Plan / Survey
    Site plan or survey showing property boundaries, setbacks, and shed footprint.

Conditional

  • Registered Design Professional Documents
    Signed and sealed drawings or calculations for the nonprescriptive or engineered portion, prepared by a Florida-licensed registered design professional.
    WhenRequired when the work exceeds the prescriptive FBC-R construction path or applicable code or Florida law requires professional design.

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

BuildingRequired

  1. #01Wind design and complete load pathLife Safety

    Custom shed construction documents must declare the design wind speed and exposure and show a continuous load path from the roof diaphragm through walls and connections to the foundation or anchorage.

    FBC-R R301.1FBC-R R301.2.1ASCE 7-22
  2. #02Foundation and anchorageLife Safety

    The shed foundation or anchorage must show size, reinforcement or connector specification, depth or embedment, and the connection that completes the load path to the structure above.

    FBC-R R403FBC-R R301.1
  3. #03Exterior-wall fire separationLife Safety

    Accessory-building exterior walls, openings, and projections must comply with FBC-R R302.1 based on fire-separation distance. Detached tool and storage sheds that are exempt from permits are not required to provide wall protection based on location on the lot.

    FBC-R R302.1
  4. #04Framing and envelopeCode

    Construction documents must show the framing system, wall and roof envelope, and connections needed to resist the design loads and weather-protect the structure.

    FBC-R R301.1FBC-R R602FBC-R R802FBC-R R703
  5. #05Construction-document clarityDocumentation

    Submitted documents must clearly identify the custom shed scope, drawings, and construction so FCC can review applicable building criteria. FBC-R R101.2 applies to accessory structures; FBC-B 107.3.5 listed equipment replacements and minor repairs do not exempt custom site-built sheds as a class.

    FBC-R R101.2FBC-B 107.2.1
  6. #06Registered design professional documentationDocumentation

    Professional design is required when the work exceeds the prescriptive FBC-R conventional construction path under R301.1.3, or when applicable code or Florida law requires a registered design professional. FBC-B 107.1 requires construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional where the statutes of the jurisdiction require it. Conventional wood-frame sheds within FBC-R conventional construction limits do not require a seal solely because the structure is a custom shed. An architecture-practice exemption under F.S. 481.229 does not, by itself, create an engineering exemption.

    FBC-R R301.1.3F.S. 481.229FBC-B 107.1

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your FCC inspector will confirm which apply to your project. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Rough Framing

Required
  1. Wall stud spacing and sizeCritical

    Verify stud size and spacing match approved plans

    FBC-R R602.3FBC-R R602.3.1
  2. Headers and beamsCritical

    Verify header and beam sizes over openings per plans

    FBC-R R602.7
  3. Top and bottom plate connectionsCritical

    Verify double top plates with proper lapping and anchored bottom plates

    FBC-R R602.3.2
  4. Corner and intersection bracingCritical

    Verify proper bracing at corners and wall intersections

    FBC-R R602.10
  5. Window and door rough openingsCritical

    Verify rough openings match approved plans for size and location

    FBC-R R602.7
  6. Hurricane straps and hold-downsCritical

    Verify hurricane straps and hold-down hardware installed per plans

    FBC-R R802.11
  7. Fire blocking

    Verify fire blocking is installed at required locations

    FBC-R R602.8
Phase #2

Final Building

RequiredTypical Final
  1. Egress doors and hardwareCritical

    Verify egress doors provide minimum 32-inch clear width and proper hardware

    FBC-R R311.2
  2. Smoke alarms installed and operationalCritical

    Verify smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and each level

    FBC-R R314.3
  3. CO alarms installedCritical

    Verify carbon monoxide alarms where required

    FBC-R R315
  4. Emergency escape openingsCritical

    Verify bedroom windows meet egress size requirements

    FBC-R R310.1
  5. Stairway complianceCritical

    Verify stair rise, run, handrail height, and landing dimensions

    FBC-R R311.7
  6. Address numbers visible

    Verify address numbers are posted and visible from street

    FBC-R R319.1
  7. Exterior finishes complete

    Verify exterior cladding, trim, and weatherproofing are complete

    FBC-R R703.1
  8. Site grading and drainage

    Verify finish grade slopes away from foundation minimum 6 inches in 10 feet

    FBC-R R401.3