Shed & Garage Permits in West Caln Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Everything you need to know about getting a permit for a shed, garage, or other accessory structure in West Caln Township.
Permit Requirements
Zoning permit is required for a shed or accessory structure of ANY size — West Caln has no size exemption
A building permit is ALSO required once the structure is over 200 sq ft
A 12×22 shed (264 sq ft) needs BOTH a zoning permit and a building permit
If the shed increases impervious coverage on the lot, the zoning permit must be submitted together with the building permit
Setbacks & Placement
Minimum 15 ft from the rear and side property lines
Not permitted in the front yard
A new Township Zoning Ordinance took effect June 17, 2026 — confirm current setbacks with the township before siting the building
How to Apply
Submit the completed application(s) directly to the Township Office — applications sent to the building inspector or zoning officer will NOT be processed
Include a plot plan showing the structure's location with distances to the property lines, plus existing and proposed impervious coverage
Building plan review is against the 2021 International Building Code and the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
Applications & Documents
Township Building & Zoning page (where the applications are posted)
Fees
Permit fees vary by project scope and are not posted with the applications — call the township at (610) 384-5643 to confirm current amounts
Note: do not rely on Caln Township's fee schedule — West Caln and Caln are separate municipalities
Township Office
721 West Kings Highway, PO Box 175, Wagontown, PA 19376
Phone: (610) 384-5643 · Fax: (610) 384-9035
Office hours: Mon–Thu 8AM–4PM (closed Fridays for summer hours through Sept 4)
Honestly? It's usually simpler than it looks
Before you hand this off to anyone, we'd encourage you to just call or stop by the West Caln Township township office. The folks there handle shed and garage permits all the time — they'll give you the forms and walk you through filling them out. For a standard shed, most townships only need three things from you:
A certificate of insurance. Just ask and we'll email you a copy. It's easier to get than most people expect — see what one looks like.
A drawing / spec sheet of your building. We'll email you a copy of this too.
- Do it yourself for free using our plot plan template. One heads-up: the template doesn't include measurements, and most townships need those to calculate impervious coverage — you can usually get that figure from the township, your builder, or an online real-estate listing for your property.
- Have us prepare a measured site plan for $150, emailed to you. Ours already has your property lines, all the measurements, and the impervious-coverage figures for your house and existing buildings — exactly what the township needs. All you do is mark where the new structure will go and note the distance to the rear and side property lines, then send it back to us. Larger or custom structures can run a bit more, but a standard shed is right at that price. See real examples.
That's typically the whole list for a standard shed. Give it a shot yourself first — a lot of folks are pleasantly surprised at how quick it is. And if you get stuck or would just rather not deal with it, we're glad to help (see below).
We Deliver to West Caln Township
White Pine Structures handles delivery and setup throughout Chester County. We can also help you navigate the permit process — many of our customers in West Caln Township have gone through this before and we know what to expect.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a helpful reference and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with West Caln Township's code enforcement or zoning office before starting your project. White Pine Structures is not responsible for permit application outcomes. Information last verified: July 2026.