Planners host hearing on shed regulations

Zoners will hear from townspeople on new regulations that would allow all sheds smaller than 200 square feet to be built without a permit.

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22.

The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the changes made to state building codes, which became effective on Feb. 28, at a meeting on March 11.

Amendments to the towns rules and regulations would exempt several small structures, including sheds and free-standing decks, from needing a building permit for one and two structures on a single property. The changes would bring town regulations in line with state laws.

In order to establish consistency with these recent code changes, this amendment expands the list in the zoning regulations for minor accessory structures that are also to be exempted from the need of a zoning permit, the proposed amendment says.

Minor accessory structures previously included walls and fences, as well as doghouses and birdbaths.

Structures added under the amendment include storage sheds, gazebos and playhouses of less than 200 square feet; prefabricated swimming pools that are equal to or less than 24 inches deep; swings, non-habitable tree houses and other playground equipment; and decks not exceeding 200 square feet in an area that is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point and that are not attracted to a dwelling and do not serve an exit door.

The changes will also provide lot coverage and floor area exceptions for accessory structures not requiring a zoning permit, as suggested by the zoning enforcement officer, Richard Baldelli.

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Planners host hearing on shed regulations