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Shed or Detached Accessory Building in Lynden, Washington

Lynden exempts the smallest detached accessory buildings from a building permit, and its code states both the exemption and its converse.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Exempt only if one story, used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use, and not exceeding one hundred twenty square feet of floor area
  • The code states expressly that "A permit is required for any building that is more than one hundred twenty square feet of floor area."
  • Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply even where a building permit does not

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building permit fee
LYNDEN PUTS BOTH HALVES OF THE FEE CALCULATION OUTSIDE ITS CODE, SO NO AMOUNT IS PRINTED HERE. Show full citationLYNDEN PUTS BOTH HALVES OF THE FEE CALCULATION OUTSIDE ITS CODE, SO NO AMOUNT IS PRINTED HERE. LMC 15.02.060 provides that "The valuation schedule to be utilized by the planning director or his or her designee in administering the International Building Code shall be set by resolution of the city council" and that "Building permit fees shall be as set forth by resolution of the city council." Both the valuation basis AND the fee are council resolutions, so neither can be read off the municipal code. Ask the Building Division for the current resolution. AND BUDGET FOR ONE MORE THING: under LMC Chapter 15.26 the city may require third-party review of your application at your sole cost, payable as a deposit before review begins.
Not stated in this guide - see notes

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Shed or Detached Accessory Building permit actually take in Lynden?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    Tips

    • The 120 square foot line is the whole test here - Lynden's exemption does not add the separation-from-other-buildings condition Tukwila attaches to its version
    • Sewer and zoning prerequisites under LMC 15.02.050 are separate from the permit question

    Frequently asked questions

    Lynden requires a shed or detached accessory building permit for: Exempt only if one story, used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use, and not exceeding one hundred twenty square feet of floor area; The code states expressly that "A permit is required for any building that is more than one hundred twenty square feet of floor area."; Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply even where a building permit does not. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Lynden - Building Division at 360-354-5532 before starting work.

    In Lynden, the published Building permit fee is: Not stated in this guide - see notes. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Lynden does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Lynden - Building Division at 360-354-5532 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Permit application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Lynden - Building Division at 300 4th Street, 2nd Floor, Lynden, WA 98264. Phone: 360-354-5532, email: planning@lyndenwa.org. Official information: https://www.lyndenwa.org/.

    Lynden, Washington has adopted: LYNDEN NAMES NO EDITION FOR ANY CODE, AND ADOPTS FUTURE AMENDMENTS IN ADVANCE. LMC 15.02.010: "The city adopts the International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, as the building code of the city. The city further adopts any future amendments to the International Building Code, effective upon its adoption by the State Building Code Council." (Ord. 1195 SS A(part), 2004). The same two-sentence device is used for the International Existing Building Code (15.03.010), the International Residential Code (15.04.010), the International Mechanical Code (15.06.010), the Uniform Plumbing Code (15.08.010) and the International Fire Code (15.12.010).; THE ENACTING ORDINANCE IS FROM 2004 AND IT STILL TRACKS THE STATE. Most of Title 15 carries "(Ord. 1195 SS A(part), 2004)". Because the adoptions were drafted to absorb future amendments automatically, a twenty-two-year-old ordinance still delivers the current state code without the council re-enacting anything.; THE ELECTRICAL CODE IS ADOPTED WITHOUT EVEN A STATE TRIGGER. LMC 15.10.010: "The city adopts the current National Electrical Code, including all appendices, as the electrical code of the city. The city further adopts any future amendments to the National Electrical Code." Note what is missing - there is no "effective upon its adoption by the State Building Code Council" qualifier on this one, unlike the building and residential adoptions.; THE ENERGY CODE CITATION IS WORTH CHECKING BEFORE YOU RELY ON IT. LMC 15.24.010 adopts "The Washington State Energy Code contained in Washington Administrative Code Chapter 15-11, and all subsequent amendments thereto which are required to be adopted by the city". Camas's code, read on the same day, cites "WAC 51-11 energy code" for the same thing. This guide records both as published and does not adjudicate between them - ask the city which chapter it applies.; RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.. Local amendments apply — see the Lynden overview page for the full list.

    Up to one hundred twenty square feet of floor area, if it is one story and detached and used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use. LMC 15.04.010 spells out the converse as well: a permit is required for any building more than 120 square feet. Zoning rules still apply.

    Sources & verification

    Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.

    Codes & ordinances

    Department & other records

    Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Lynden building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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    Other permits in Lynden

    Building PermitVerify a Contractor Licence

    Shed or Detached Accessory Building in other cities

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