Chapter 17.185 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

This chapter establishes regulations for the design and location of accessory structures 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. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Detached Structures. The provisions of this section apply to roofed structures, including, but not limited to, garages, carports, sheds, workshops, gazebos, and covered patios which are detached from and accessory to a main building on the site. These provisions also apply to unroofed structures that are over 30 inches in height and are detached from and accessory to a main building on the site.

• B. Attached Structures. The provisions of this section do not apply to accessory structures attached to a main building, which shall comply in all respects with the requirements of Title 17 applicable to the main building.

• C. Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory Dwelling Units, attached or detached, are subject to the standards of Chapter 17.195 (Accessory Dwelling Units)

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

A detached accessory structure may only be constructed on a lot on which there is a permitted main building to which the accessory structure is related. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. An accessory structure (not including metal shipping containers, see Section 17.185.070 ) is permitted in all residential zones subject to the following requirements, which are in addition to

any requirements of that residential zone.

• B. Where the principal use of a lot is a one-family dwelling, a detached accessory building shall be permitted subject to the following requirements. These requirements are in addition to the development standards of the applicable zone.

  1. No detached accessory building shall be within five feet of the front half of an adjacent lot. For the purpose of this development standard a depth of not more than 75 feet shall be deemed to be such front half of such adjacent lot.

  2. Where the average slope of the front half of the lot is greater than one foot rise or fall in a seven foot run from the established street elevation at the property line, or where the front half of the lot is more than four feet above or below such established street elevation, a private garage may be built to the street and side lines.

  3. In the case of an interior lot, no detached accessory building shall be erected so as to encroach upon the front half of the lot; provided, however, such detached accessory building need not be more than 75 feet from the street line.

  4. In the case of a corner lot abutting upon more than two streets, no detached accessory building shall be nearer any street line than one-fifth of the width or length of the lot.

  5. In the case of through lots, no detached accessory building shall encroach upon the required front yard on either street.

  6. No detached accessory building shall be closer than 10 feet to the principal building and no closer than 10 feet to any other accessory structure. Eaves or roof overhangs may not extend more than one foot into this 10-foot area from either direction.

• C. For lots one acre or smaller:

  1. The minimum setback from a side property line shall be five feet and the minimum setback from a rear property line shall be 10 feet; provided, however, that where the applicable zone provides for a greater side or rear yard setback, such greater setback shall apply.

  2. Notwithstanding the height limitations of any zone, the height limit on any lot shall be 20 feet.

  3. The total size of a detached accessory structure along with the size of the principal/main dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the lot area.

  4. A detached accessory structure shall not be greater than 1,200 square feet.

• D. For lots larger than one acre:

  1. The minimum setback from a side property line and from a rear property line shall be 10 feet; provided, however, that where the applicable zone provides for a greater side or rear yard setback, such greater setback shall apply.

  2. Notwithstanding the height limitations of any zone, the height limit on any lot shall be 35 feet.

  3. The total size of a detached accessory structure along with the size of the principal/main dwelling shall not exceed 30% of the lot area.

  4. A detached accessory structure shall not be greater than 2,000 square feet.

• E. In any residential zone or where a dwelling is the principal use, bare metal buildings (metal buildings without paint or exterior architectural coatings or treatments) shall not be located on a lot one acre or smaller. This prohibition shall not apply to single-story garden sheds, playhouses or similar buildings of 120 square feet or less.

• F. Detached accessory structures shall be compatible with the materials and architecture of the main dwelling(s) on the property.

• G. Accessory structures may be constructed in conjunction with or subsequent to (but not in advance of) construction of the primary building(s) on the site without approval of the Director.

• H. Notwithstanding the regulations in this chapter, detached single-story accessory structures, not more than 120 square feet in size and, therefore, not requiring a building permit, may be permitted with a minimum setback of two feet to interior side and rear property lines.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025; Ord. 256, 11/12/2025)

In any residential zone where the principal use of a lot is a dwelling, a detached accessory structure is permitted by right (i.e., no development permit required) subject to the development standards of Section 17.185.040 .

(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

The following accessory structures are exempt from Planning Department review but may require building permits in keeping with the California Building Code adopted by the City.

• A. All accessory structures that are less than 120 square feet in size with no portion of the structure equal to or greater than six feet in height and that meet the siting requirements of Title 17.

• B. Water Features. A detached structure typically used for decorative or landscape design purposes such as a fountain, water wall, bird bath and similar features that are less than 120 square feet in size with no portion of the feature equal to or greater than six feet in height.

• C. Play Equipment. Structures and surfaces used for recreational purposes including play structures, tree houses, jungle gyms, and non-illuminated sports courts such as tennis and basketball courts.

• D. Deck/Patio. A detached porch or platform that is generally constructed with wood, concrete or stone that is above the grade or located over a basement or story below.

• E. Pool/Spa. Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing. Swimming pool includes in-ground and above-ground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools. Note that these features retain siting criteria from the Building Code.

• F. Pool Accessories. Any structure for entertainment or relaxation value, including, but not limited to, diving boards, slides, and grottos.

• G. Outdoor Entertaining Features. Structures used for entertainment and outdoor cooking such as built-in barbecues and fire pits.

• H. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any detached accessory building for which a building permit was issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

Metal shipping containers shall conform to the following standards.

• A. Metal shipping containers shall not be allowed as a principal use in any residential zone;

• B. Metal shipping containers shall be allowed in all zones on a temporary basis when utilized during construction or grading operations for the site where located and when utilized solely for the storage of supplies and equipment that are used for construction or grading on that site;

• C. In industrial zones, placement of metal shipping containers as an accessory use is permitted provided development review has been approved pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 17.85 of this Title or the placement has been approved as part of development review or a conditional use permit;

• D. In all zones, other than commercial and industrial zones, placement of metal shipping containers is allowed as an accessory use subject to the following development standards:

  1. The minimum lot size shall be five acres,

  2. No more than one metal shipping container shall be permitted on any parcel,

  3. The setback from all property lines shall be a minimum of 50 feet,

  4. Placement shall be to the rear of the main building on the rear half of the property,

  5. The metal shipping container shall be fully screened by an opaque fence or fast-growing landscaping. Fencing may not be provided by any type of chain link fencing,

  6. The metal shipping container shall be painted a neutral color.

• E. Containers shall not exceed 50% of the floor area of the primary residence on site, inclusive of all accessory structures.

• F. Metal shipping containers shall conform with all health, safety development, and environmental requirements.

• G. 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.

• H. Metal shipping containers shall not be stacked vertically. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)