Sheds, Barns & Cabin Shells Near Waxahachie, TX

Inside Waxahachie city limits: accessory buildings are permitted online as "Building (Residential) – Accessory Structure," with a site plan or survey and construction plans; for a prebuilt kit, the installation manual. Allow at least 10 working days. Buildings sit 5 ft from side lines, 3 ft from the rear line, and 5 ft from other structures, one story and 12 ft tall at most. A lot may have two, totaling 1,000 sq ft; 700 sq ft or more needs a Specific Use Permit, and 500 sq ft or more must match the house's siding and roofing.

Outside city limits (unincorporated Ellis County): Ellis County has required permits outside city limits since the late 1970s. Sheds, barns, and storage buildings of 300 sq ft or more need a county development permit ($75), filed online through MyGovernmentOnline with a site plan or survey and a basic floor plan; one accessory building under 300 sq ft per property is exempt from the fee. A cabin used as a dwelling is a habitable permit ($350) and needs a septic application. Buildings stay 25 ft from local road right-of-way (50 ft on major roads), floodplain sites add $200 and likely an elevation certificate, and permits usually take 5–7 business days. Department of Development: 972-825-5200.

Adding plumbing? New septic (OSSF) systems are $600 through the same department.