Title 9 — PLANNING AND ZONING›Article 4 — SITE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Menifee Zoning Code Ch. 9.165 Accessory Structures
Menifee Zoning Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-19 · Menifee
Cite as: Menifee Zoning Code Chapter 9.165 · Text as of 2026-10-19
Contents:
9.165.010 Purpose
9.165.020 Applicability
9.165.030 Permit Requirements
9.165.040 Accessory Structure Development Standards
9.165.050 Outdoor Amenity Development Standards
9.165.060 Metal Shipping Containers
9.165.070 Existing Registered Metal Shipping Containers
9.165.080 Removal or Plot Plan Approval of Non-Conforming Metal Shipping Containers
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
9.165.010 Purpose¶
This chapter establishes regulations for the design and location of accessory structures and amenities in residential zones to help ensure that such structures are adequately designed and are integrated and compatible with the character of the primary structure on a lot and that of the surrounding properties. Provisions regulating the use of metal shipping containers as accessory storage facilities on residentially designated properties are also included in this chapter.
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.020 Applicability¶
The regulations in this chapter apply only to agricultural and residential zones in Menifee, including AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2, LMDR, MDR, MHDR and HDR. Nonconforming accessory structures are addressed in Chapter 9.15.
9.165.030 Permit Requirements¶
Accessory structures and outdoor amenities shall be permitted in accordance with subsection 9.80.020.C. Single-story, detached, accessory buildings – such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses – may be exempt from building permit requirements, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, contain no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical components, and the structure is specifically exempted under the California Building Code.
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.040 Accessory Structure Development Standards¶
An accessory structure (not including metal shipping containers, see Section 9.165.060-110) is permitted in all residential zones subject to the following requirements, which are in addition to any requirements of that residential zone.
- Location. Accessory structures shall be located only in rear and interior side yards or within the allowable buildable area.
- Height. Accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 16 feet, except they shall be allowed up to the maximum building height in the agricultural and rural residential zones.
- Separation. Accessory structures shall be located at least 10 feet from the primary building and at least 5 feet from another accessory structure.
- Setbacks. Setback requirements and the placement of accessory structures in the required yards are set forth in Table 9.165.040-1, Accessory Structures Setbacks.
Table 9.165.040-1 Accessory Structures Setbacks
| Accessory Structure | Front Yard 1 | Rear Yard 1 | Interior Side Yard 1,2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessory Dwelling Units 3 | Not permitted | 4 ft 1 | 4 ft |
| Carports | Not permitted | 5 ft for support column | 5 ft for support column |
| Garage | 20 ft (Entrance faces street) 10 ft (Entrance from side not facing front yard) | 10 ft | 5 ft |
| Gazebo/ |
Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Patio Cover | Not permitted | See underlying zone | See underlying zone |
| Detached guest house | Not permitted | 10 ft | 5 ft |
| Solar Equipment | Not permitted | 3 ft | 3 ft |
| Storage shed | Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Notes: 1 If the zoning classification of a particular property provides for a different front, rear, or side yard setback, the smaller setback shall apply. 2 For corner (street) side yard setback requirements, refer to development standards of the applicable zone. 3 See Chapter 9.295 (Special Housing Types) for additional requirements on Accessory Dwelling Units 4 Accessory structures that do not exceed 120 square feet shall have a reduced minimum setback of 3 feet from the property lines. 5 Setback encroachment allowances for attached covered patios can be found in Section 9.160.030. |
- No accessory structure shall be erected unless a primary building exists on the parcel.
- Accessory uses and structures shall be incidental to and not alter the residential character of a parcel.
- No accessory structure, or total square footage of multiple accessory structures, shall occupy more than 30% of the rear yard of a parcel. No accessory structure shall be greater than 600 square feet for lots less than one-half acre, 900 square feet for one-half to 1 acre, or 3,000 square feet for lots greater than 1 acre.
- Lot coverage calculations shall include all enclosed accessory structure area on a lot or parcel.
- In the case of through lots, no accessory structure shall encroach upon the required front yard on either street. In the event that the front yard and rear yards cannot be clearly determined, the Community Development Director will determine the required setbacks.
- Accessory structures shall include eaves or overhangs and be compatible with the materials, colors and architecture, including roof pitch, of the primary building or residence.
- Landscape screening shall be provided on-site to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director or their designee when the structure is visible from the public right-of-way.
- Accessory buildings or structures located in the RR1, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2, LMDR and MDR zones shall be architecturally compatible with or superior to the primary dwelling unit; Bare metal and aluminum sided and roofed buildings (metal buildings without paint or exterior architectural coatings or treatments) shall be are prohibited as the primary architectural material and shall only be used as accent finishes to the building.
- Accessory buildings or structures located in the AG, RM, RR5, and RR2 zones shall be architecturally compatible with, or superior to the primary dwelling unit. Bare metal buildings are permitted only if painted to match surrounding structures.
- Accessory structures shall not be placed within a lot in a manner which would cause significant environmental impacts to drainages, watercourses, sensitive habitat, or archeological or paleontological resources.
- An accessory structure used for vehicle storage shall have clear, unobstructed access to the structure across the parcel. No additional curb cuts may be installed for the accessory structure unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
- The use of metal storage container(s) to construct an underground facility shall be prohibited.
(2022-351, 09/21/2022; 2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.050 Outdoor Amenity Development Standards¶
An amenity structure is permitted in all residential zones subject to the following requirements, which are in addition to any requirements of that residential zone.
- Location. Amenities shall be located only in rear and interior side yards or within the allowable buildable area.
- Setbacks. Setback requirements and the placement of amenities in the required yards are set forth in Table 9.165.050-1, Outdoor Amenities Setbacks.
Table 9.165.050-1 Outdoor Amenities Setbacks
| Type | Front Yard | Rear Yard | Interior Side Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Firepits/ |
Not permitted | See underlying zone | See underlying zone |
| Permanent BBQs/ |
Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Fountains/ |
5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Sunken Gathering Areas | Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Permanent Sports and Recreation Areas | Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Ponds and Lakes | Not permitted | ||
| Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs | Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs | Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs | Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs |
| Zone | Front Yard | Rear Yard | Interior Side Yard |
| AG, RM, RR5, and RR2 | 10 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| RR1, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2, LMDR and MDR | Not permitted | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Other | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft |
| Exemptions: 1 Fireplaces and water features, including waterfalls and fountains, shall be exempt from setback requirements when integrated into a wall, provided they do not exceed the maximum allowable height of the wall. Approval must be obtained as part of the overall wall design. 2 Amenities that are integral to multifamily developments shall be exempt from setback requirements. Notes for Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs: The water’s edge of a swimming pool, spa, hot tub and any associated water slide, rock feature or other structure shall be used to determine setback distance from the property line. Pools and spas shall be enclosed by walls or fences no less than 5 feet in height per the California Building Code. Pool equipment shall be screened from view from the front yard and from ground view from adjacent dwelling units. Setback encroachment allowances for pool equipment can be found in 9.160.030.D.3 |
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.060 Metal Shipping Containers¶
Metal shipping containers shall conform to the following standards:
Use.
Metal shipping containers shall be allowed in all zones on a temporary basis during construction, grading operations when utilized solely for the storage of supplies and equipment that are used for the construction, grading on that site.
Within Agriculture and Rural Residential zones, metal shipping containers shall be an accessory use for storage and shall not be used for habitable space, except as allowed by Section A.3 below.
Alternative allowances, including size, screening, condition, location, or habitation, may be considered and approved by the Planning Commission under review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit.
Minimum Lot Size.
No new Metal Shipping Containers may be placed on lots of less than 1 acre.
One shipping container (not exceeding 20 feet in length) may be located on lot of 1 acre or greater.
No more than one (1) shipping container is allowed on lots of 1-5 acres.
No more than two (2) shipping containers are allowed on lots of 5 acres or greater.
Setbacks. Metal shipping containers shall not be located closer than 50 feet from any property line along a street frontage, nor within the area in front of the leading edge of the home upon the residential property, or within any required parking space. For the rear yard, interior side yard, and corner side yard setbacks, the zone's development standards shall apply.
Enhancements.
Metal Shipping Containers shall be painted a neutral earth-tone or a color consistent with the principal building or dwelling unit.
Metal shipping containers shall be screened from view of public rights-of-way or adjacent residential properties by residential structures, landforms or physical features of the lot, landscaping or opaque fencing of up to 6 feet in height with any visible remaining exterior portion of the container(s) painted in a manner compatible with the principal residence or to blend with the existing landscaping on-site.
Screening shall be waived if the container(s) is/are completely encased within an on-site, stick-built skin and eaves, which are architecturally consistent with the primary residence on-site.
Size. Containers shall not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the primary residence on-site, inclusive of all accessory structures.
Placement.
Metal shipping containers shall conform with all health, safety development, and environmental requirements.
Metal shipping containers shall not be placed upon a residential lot in a manner which would cause significant impacts to drainages, watercourses, sensitive habitat, or archeological or paleontological resources.
Metal shipping containers shall not be stacked vertically.
(2022-351, 09/21/2022; 2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.070 Existing Registered Metal Shipping Containers¶
All existing metal shipping containers in place on residentially designated properties within the City 30 days prior to adoption of Ordinance 2014-142, which adoption occurred on August 20, 2014, and for which a metal shipping container notification/registration was filed with the Community Development Department on or before September 19, 2015, are hereby ratified and allowed to remain on the residential property in the same location and placement. Existing containers may not be moved, repositioned or relocated, except in conformance with Section 9.165.060. All metal shipping containers in place on the effective date of adoption of Ordinance 2014-142 must have been registered with the Community Development Department by September 19, 2015. If a property owner, or individual in control of the property, failed to comply with the notification requirement, the property owner may be ordered to remove the containers from the residential property, at the discretion of the Community Development Director. Any such order by the Community Development Director shall be subject to the appeal provisions of Section 2.20.150 of the Menifee Municipal Code. An appeal fee shall be submitted with any notification requirement appeal application until an alternative notification requirement appeal fee is established by City Council resolution.
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.165.080 Removal or Plot Plan Approval of Non-Conforming Metal Shipping Containers¶
- All non-conforming or unpermitted metal shipping containers shall obtain plot plan approval or shall be removed from residential property prior to or upon the property’s sale or transfer. Failure of the property owner, or individual in control of a property, to obtain plot plan approval or remove all containers from a residentially designated property in conformance to this chapter shall be in violation of the Menifee Municipal Code.
- It is the responsibility of the residential property owner, that prior to or upon the sale, transfer or any change in ownership of residential property where a container(s) are located, to remove or obtain plot plan approval for all non-conforming or unpermitted metal shipping containers from that residential property. Non-conforming or unpermitted metal shipping containers not so approved or removed in accordance with the provisions of this section at the time of sale or transfer shall be, by the authority of this chapter, in violation of this chapter and be subject to removal at a date determined by the City.
- If a property owner, or individual in control of the property, failed to comply with the notification requirement of Ordinance 2014-142, the property owner may be ordered to remove the containers from the residential property, at the discretion of the Community Development Director. Any such order by the Community Development Director shall be subject to the appeal provisions of Section 2.20.150 of the Menifee Municipal Code. An appeal fee shall be submitted with any notification requirement appeal application until an alternative notification requirement appeal fee is established by City Council resolution.
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
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