Chapter 23.46 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

Sections:

23.46.010 Purpose.

23.46.020 Definitions.

23.46.030 Permit requirements and exceptions.

23.46.040 Development standards.

23.46.010 Purpose. ¶

The purpose of this chapter is to identify and regulate detached accessory structures to ensure that such structures do not create public safety or public nuisance issues and do not create an adverse aesthetic from street rights-of-way or adjacent/neighboring properties. The intent of these regulations is to complement the requirements and standards of the City’s adopted building code and fire code. [Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 8-2011 §20(A), eff. 6-24-2011]

23.46.020 Definitions. ¶

Terms unique to this chapter are listed in EGMC Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions). [Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 8-2011 §20(B), eff. 6-24-2011]

23.46.030 Permit requirements and exceptions. ¶

A. Except as otherwise provided, no special planning permit or entitlement shall be required for accessory structures that are consistent with the standards herein, except that zoning clearance/plan check shall be conducted in the event that a building permit is required.

B. Accessory buildings in RD zones with a building footprint of eight hundred (800 ft2) square feet or more shall obtain a minor design review prior to issuance of a building permit pursuant to EGMC Section 23.16.080 (Design review). [Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 8-2011 §20(C), eff. 6-24-2011]

23.46.040 Development standards. ¶

A. Development Standards for All Accessory Structures. The development standards in this section apply only to accessory structures. Primary structures, and any other feature attached to the primary structure (e.g., patio cover), are subject to the setback, height, and other requirements for the zoning district in which they are located.

Setback Measurement. Minimum setback distances for accessory structures from property lines and between accessory structures shall be measured to any portions of the structure(s), inclusive of any overhangs, projections, and railings, etc.
Construction Phasing. Accessory structures may be constructed only in conjunction with or after construction of the primary building(s) on the site. However, in agricultural and agricultural residential zoning districts, accessory structures may be constructed prior to the primary residential dwelling.
Maximum Lot Coverage. The total area of all structure(s), inclusive of both the primary and any accessory structures, on a lot shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage for structures as provided in Table 23.29-1.
Separation Between Structures. All accessory structures shall maintain the minimum distance between other buildings as required under EGMC Chapter 16.04 (California Building Code).

B. Development Standards by Type of Accessory Structure. Table 23.46-1 establishes development standards based on the type of accessory structure as defined in EGMC Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions).

C. Special Setbacks and Height Limits for Accessory Structures in Agricultural or Agricultural Residential Districts.

Height. The maximum height for all accessory structures on agricultural or agricultural residential property is forty (40' 0") feet. See additional development standards in Table 23.29-1 (Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts).
Setbacks. Enclosed and solid-roofed accessory structures shall be set back from all interior property lines not less than the height of the structure.

D. Architectural Design. The following design requirements apply to accessory buildings larger than one hundred twenty (120 ft2) square feet:

Accessory buildings shall be finished with materials and colors that complement the primary structure(s) on the site.
Walls longer than fifteen (15' 0") feet shall include doors, windows, or other architectural features to break up the massing of the wall.

E. Kitchens. An accessory building shall not include a kitchen but may include a kitchenette as those terms are defined in EGMC Chapter 23.100. If an accessory building includes a kitchen it shall be reclassified as an accessory dwelling and subject to the requirements of EGMC Chapter 23.90 (Accessory Dwelling Units).

Table 23.46-1

Development Standards for Accessory Structures

Accessory Structure	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line
	Front	Street Side	Interior (Including Rear)	Maximum Height
Building, ≤ 120 sf. and < 8 ft. tall	Same as for primary structure	12.5 ft.1	3 ft.	8 ft.2
Building, ≤ 120 sf. and ≥ 8 ft. tall Fully enclosed Limited/No enclosure	Same as for primary structure Same as for primary structure	12.5 ft. 12.5 ft.	5 ft. 3 ft.	16 ft.2 16 ft.2
Building, > 120 sf.

Accessory Structure	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line	Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line	Maximum Height
	Front	Street Side	Interior (Including Rear)
Fully enclosed Limited/No enclosure	Same as for primary structure Same as for primary structure	12.5 ft. 12.5 ft.	5 ft. 3 ft.	16 ft.2 16 ft.2
Landscape features	No minimum	12.5ft.	3ft.	16 ft.2
Pool/spa	Same as for primary structure	12.5 ft.3	No minimum	16 ft.2
Deck/patio	No minimum	No minimum	No minimum	No minimum
Play equipment	Same as for primary structure	12.5 ft.	3 ft.	16 ft.2

Notes:

Street side setback for accessory structures ≤ five (5' 0" ) feet tall may be reduced to five (5' 0") feet when screened by a solid fence or wall and upon the issuance of clearance letters from all affected utility providers. In no case shall there be less than three (3' 0") feet between the accessory structure and the fence. Any fence shall comply with the setback standards provided in EGMC Chapter 23.52 (Fences and Walls).
When the accessory structure is located within the allowed building envelope of the primary structure, the maximum height for the accessory structure shall be the same as the primary structure for the underlying zoning district.
Street side setback for pool equipment may be reduced to five (5' 0") feet when screened by a solid fence or wall and upon the issuance of clearance letters from all affected utility providers. In no case shall there be less than three (3' 0") feet between the pool equipment and the fence. Any fence shall comply with the setback standards provided in EGMC Chapter 23.52 (Fences and Walls).

[Ord. 13-2025 §3 (Exh. E), eff. 7-25-2025; Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 12-2012 §7, eff. 7-27-2012; Ord. 8-2011 §§20(D), (E), (F), eff. 6-24-2011] Home Previous Next

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