Shed permit Nassau County NY — 2025 guide

One of the first questions we hear when a Nassau County homeowner contacts us about a shed is: do I need a permit? The answer depends on where you live, how big the shed is, and what type of foundation you want.

Nassau County permit basics

Nassau County has three towns: Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. Each has its own building department with slightly different rules. Then there are the cities (Long Beach, Glen Cove) and villages (Garden City, Westbury, etc.) which have their own permit authorities separate from the town. Getting the right permit means knowing which authority covers your address — something we've sorted out for hundreds of projects.

When you need a permit

The general rule across most Nassau municipalities is:

• Permanent foundation (concrete slab, poured piers): permit required, regardless of shed size
• Shed over 100–144 square feet: permit required in most municipalities
• Attached to the house: permit required in all cases
• Any shed with electrical: permit required in all cases

When you typically don't need a permit

A freestanding shed under 100 square feet (10×10 or smaller) on a non-permanent foundation — gravel, skids, or adjustable piers — often doesn't require a permit in Nassau County residential zones. But always verify: a 10×12 shed is 120 square feet, which triggers the permit requirement in Hempstead, Oyster Bay, and most villages.

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