69.1 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

(See also, Section 313-43.1, Accessory Uses.)

69.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to specify the buildings that are permitted as accessory to the permitted buildings in the principal zones, and to establish the regulations that apply to the permitted accessory buildings. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(A)); Ord. 1623, Sec. 1, 12/13/83; amended by Ord. 1726, Sec. 1, 3/4/86)

69.1.2 Permitted Accessory Structures in All Zones. The following accessory structures shall be permitted in all zones, except as otherwise stated, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in this Code: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D))

69.1.2.1 Off-street parking areas and parking structures for use by persons living, conducting business, or visiting the premises; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(1))

69.1.2.2 Structures housing equipment and materials used exclusively on the premises; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(2))

69.1.2.3 Structures for the conduct of recreational activities for use by persons living on the premises; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(3))

69.1.2.4 Temporary accessory structures as permitted by the Temporary Use regulations in this Code. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(7))

69.1.3 Permitted Residential Accessory Structures. The following accessory structures shall be permitted in residential zones: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E))

69.1.3.1 Detached Accessory Buildings; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(3))

69.1.3.2 Children’s Playhouses; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(4))

69.1.3.3 Radio and Television Receiving Antennas; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(5))

69.1.3.4 Swimming Pools; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(6))

(Note: The following subsection, “Accessory Small Hydroelectric Generating Facilities,” has been removed from Chapter 3 because these generating facilities are not permitted as an accessory use in the Coastal Zone.)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 313 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

69.1.4 Special Permit Requirements for Accessory Detached Buildings in Residential Zones. A Special Permit must be secured to allow for the following accessory buildings in RS, R2 and RM Zones: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(F))

69.1.4.1 The construction of any accessory building, on any lot where a principal permitted use is not present; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(F)(1))

69.1.4.2 Detached accessory buildings that exceed fifteen (15) feet in height or one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(F)(2))

69.1.5 Permitted Agricultural Accessory Structures. The following accessory structures shall be permitted in the (AE) Agricultural Exclusive, (TC) Commercial Timberland, (TPZ) Timber Production, and (RA) Rural Residential Agricultural Zones: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G))

69.1.5.1 Windmills, not including windmills that produce energy for export off of the property; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(1))

69.1.5.2 Greenhouses, except that greenhouses with concrete slab floors shall not be located on prime agricultural soil. Concrete, asphalt, and similarly constructed footpaths within a greenhouse may be permitted on prime agricultural soils with a Special Permit; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(2))

69.1.5.3 Silos; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(3))

69.1.5.4 Tank Houses; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(4))

69.1.5.5 Barns and outbuildings; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(5))

69.1.5.6 Coops; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(6)

69.1.5.7 Drainage facilities and structures. (Note: in the Coastal Zone these facilities and structures are subject to the following Combining Zone regulations, as applicable, and to Chapter 2, Procedures: R - Streams and Riparian Corridors Protection (Section 313-33.1); T - Transitional Agricultural Lands (Section 313-35.1); and Coastal Wetland Areas (Section 313-38.1). (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(7))

69.1.5.8 Roadside Sales of Agricultural Products. Operation of a single roadside stand for the display and sales of only those products produced on the premises, or on other property owned or leased by the vendor, as permitted by these regulations, provided that the stand does not exceed an area of two hundred (200) square feet, and is located not nearer than fifteen (15) feet from any street or highway right-of-way. Roadside sales of agriculture products shall not be allowed on RA zoned parcels. (See also, Section 313-43.1, Accessory Uses.) (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(8))

69.1.5.9 Other Necessary and Customary Structures. Accessory structures in addition to those identified in Section 69.1.5, which are necessary and customarily associated with, and are appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to agricultural activity, as determined by the Director. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(10))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 314 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

Detached accessory buildings and structures shall, in addition to conforming with all required yard setbacks, be setback at least six (6) feet from any other buildings or structures located on the same building site. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(J)) (Ord. 2717, § 4, 6/27/2023)

313-70 (Section Reserved for Future Use)

313-71