Putting up a fence or a shed in Sebastian? The height limits, the paperwork and the anchoring rules

Fall is when a lot of Sebastian yards get their projects. The heat backs off, the rain slows down, and that fence you have been talking about for two years finally looks doable. Same with the shed for the mower and the hurricane supplies.

Both need a permit from the City of Sebastian Building Department if your home is inside city limits. The city's permit sheets for fences and sheds are short, but they have a few details that trip people up. Here they are.

Fences: how tall, and what the city wants to see

The city's fence permit sheet sets two height limits. In the rear setback, a fence can be up to 6 feet. In the front setback, the limit is 4 feet. The height is measured from the inside of the fence line.

Watch out on corner lots. Sebastian's land development code says that on corner lots and through lots, every yard that faces a street counts as a front yard for setback purposes. That can change where a 6-foot fence is allowed, so ask the Building Department before you order materials.

To apply, the sheet asks for:

• One survey of your property with the fence location clearly marked.
• The type of fence: wood, chain link, aluminum, vinyl, wrought iron or concrete.
• If any part of the fence sits in an easement, a utility easement affidavit, notarized by the owner and the contractor, and recorded at the Indian River County Courthouse recording office.
• If your home is in a subdivision, a subdivision work authorization affidavit with the owner's notarized signature.

One more: if the fence goes around a pool, it has to meet the pool barrier rules in the Florida Building Code. The city's sheet points to that section directly. A pool fence is a safety barrier, not just a property line.

Sheds: size limits and who can build them

The city's shed permit sheet splits sheds into two kinds: kits you buy pre-made, and sheds built on site.

• Shed kits: maximum size 10 by 10 feet. You need the manufacturer's plans with tie-down details and the manufacturer's current approval letter from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Site-built by a licensed contractor: up to 400 square feet, with plan details for the floor, roof and walls, including how it is anchored.
• Site-built by the owner: up to 120 square feet, with the same plan details.
• Anything bigger: plans prepared and sealed by a licensed design professional.

You also need a survey showing where the shed will go. If your home is on septic and you plan a concrete slab, the sheet says the survey must be stamped by the Indian River County Health Department. That protects your tank and drainfield from ending up under concrete.

Tying it down: the anchoring rule

This is the part that matters most in hurricane country. For shed kits, the city requires at least two 3/16-inch stranded cables over the top of the shed, one in front and one in back. Each cable must be tightly secured to the eye of an auger anchor on each side, with at least two cable clamps at every connection.

The auger anchors must be at least 1/2 inch in diameter and go at least 2 feet into the ground. Site-built sheds need plan details showing they meet the required wind loads.

Where a shed can sit in your yard

Sebastian's land development code lets a detached shed sit in the required rear yard of a single-family lot, with limits. It must stay at least 10 feet from the rear property line, it cannot be inside a dedicated easement, and the code caps these structures at 400 square feet and 12 feet tall. For side setbacks on your lot, ask the Building Department.

What to do before you start

1. Confirm you are inside Sebastian city limits. If not, Indian River County handles your permit.
2. Pull out your survey and find the property lines and any easements. If you cannot find it, check your closing papers.
3. If you have an HOA, get its approval in writing. HOA rules can be stricter than the city's.
4. For a fence: mark the route on the survey, note the fence type, and keep it to 4 feet in the front setback and 6 feet in the rear. If you have a corner lot, ask the Building Department which yards count as front yards.
5. For a shed: pick a kit 10 by 10 or smaller, or plan for a contractor-built or sealed design. Keep it 10 feet off the rear line and out of the easement.
6. If you are on septic and pouring a slab, get the survey stamped by the county health department first.
7. If you hire someone, check the license at myfloridalicense.com and have them pull the permit.

A fence or shed is a small project, but a permit and a proper tie-down make it one you will not have to redo. A few minutes with your survey now beats moving a fence later.