Permits and Zoning: What You Need to Know Before Delivery

You’ve found the perfect portable building for your property—whether it’s a storage shed, garden studio, home office, or workshop—and you're ready to place your order. But before your building is delivered, there’s one crucial step you may want to consider: checking local permits and zoning laws.

At Willow Prairie Portable Buildings, we want your purchase and installation process to be smooth and stress-free. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

Why Permits Matter

Most cities, towns, and counties have regulations regarding what kind of structures can be placed on your property. These rules are often in place to:

• Ensure safety and accessibility

• Comply with building codes and Homeowner Associations

• Preserve property values

• Prevent legal issues or fines

Skipping this step can lead to expensive headaches, forced removal, or denied utility hookups. That’s why we strongly encourage every customer to do a little homework before we schedule delivery.

Common Permit Requirements

Permit requirements vary by location, but here are a few things you may need to consider:

• Structure size (some areas allow buildings under a certain square footage without a permit)

• Use of the building (storage vs. living space vs. business use)

• Distance from property lines (setbacks)

• Utility connections (electric, water, sewer)

• Anchoring requirements (especially in high-wind or flood-prone areas)

How to Check Your Local Rules

Here are a few quick steps:

1. Call your local city or county building department. They’ll tell you whether a permit is required and what paperwork to submit.

2. Ask about zoning regulations. Some areas may be zoned only for certain types of buildings.

3. Confirm HOA rules. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, check their guidelines too.

We’re Happy to Guide You

While we don’t handle permits directly, and it is not possible for us to know the rules of every county or municipality (too numerous to keep track of), it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure the building meets all local requirements for size, anchoring, and placement. We’re happy to provide any specifications you may need during that process. When you're ready for delivery, we will bring the building to you whether you have a permit or not, but we want you to be confident and in the clear.

Have questions? Call or text Michael at (260) 319-1160. You can also browse building styles, sizes, and pricing at willowprairie.com.

Don’t let paperwork delay your dream building—let’s get it right the first time.

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